May in the Garden
Checklist
- Aerate lawns to improve water absorption.
- Check your watering systems for clogged and misplaced spray heads.
- Deep water trees and rebuild water basins. Mulch trees to reduce summer heat stress and conserve water.
- Check moisture of compost pile and turn over.
Feed roses and remove faded blooms for continuous blooming.
- Fertilize lawn and established perennials.
- Apply at least 3 inches of mulch to garden areas to conserve water and prevent weeds.
- Fertilize indoor plants as needed.
- Fertilize aquatic plants.
- Feed citrus trees.
- Treat scale on ornamentals with light weight oil.
- Thin fruit crops to encourage larger fruit.
- Use nets to protect ripening fruit from birds.
- Cut flowers early in the day for arrangements.
Planting Guide
Vegetables & Herbs
- Start seeds in greenhouse or cold frame for cucumbers, corn, melon, squash.
Directly seed cucumbers, corn, melons, squash, and lima beans.
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- Transplant seedlings or purchased plants of beans, tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, melons, cucumbers, celery, potatoes, summer and winter squash, and corn.
- Harvest onions, early shallots, garlic, carrots, potatoes, chard, beets, last of cauliflower, cabbage, and broccoli.
Bulbs and Flowers
- EXTERNAL IMPlant warm season annuals such as ageratum, impatiens, lobelia, marigold, petunia, and sunflower.
Plant perennials such as catmint, salvia, scabiosa, verbena, and yarrow.
Plant perennial ground covers such as snow-in-summer or dwarf plumbago.
Plant whatever catches your eye!
Trees and Shrubs
- Start planning for the fall planting season by visiting area gardens, arboretums, and nurseries to see trees and shrubs in bloom.
- Shade trees may be planted if they are watered regularly and deeply.