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May in the Garden |
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Vegetables and Fruits |
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Plant tomato, pepper, and eggplant transplants in early May
Seed sweet corn, cucumbers, squash, beans, and other warm season vegetables
Lightly cultivate soil with a hoe to control weeds
Mound soil around potato plants to encourage tuber formation
Harvest fresh asparagus until the spear size decreases
Remove rhubarb seed stalks to encourage leaf growth
Plant kitchen herbs for summer use in dishes or food preservation
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Flowers |
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Plant annual flowers for summer color
Continue to plant and divide perennials
Mulch beds for weed control and moisture retention
Begin pinching chrysanthemums for bushier plants
Don’t remove foliage from spring bulbs until it dies down - this develops stronger blooms for next year
Plant container gardens and hanging baskets using a good quality potting mix
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Lawns |
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Reduce thatch in lawns by raking or core aerating
Fertilize lawns with slow release nitrogen fertilizer
Mow bluegrass and tall fescue at 3 inches
Don’t begin watering before you have to
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Trees and Shrubs |
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Plant new trees and shrubs
Prune spring flowering shrubs after bloom
Mulch around young trees and shrubs to conserve moisture and control weeds
Water young plants as needed
Remove tree wraps for summer growth
Remove tree stakes that have been in place more than one growing season
Fertilize trees to help increase growth
Be careful mowing or trimming around trees so as not to damage the bark
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House plants |
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Fertilize plants to promote vigorous growth
Rotate plants to develop a well-rounded plant
Wash dusty leaves in the shower under room temperature water
Four to six inch cuttings are a great way to start new plants, root in potting mix under low light
Repot plants into a one inch larger pot
Check for insects
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