Monthly Gardening Chores: My May To-Do List
Aw, man, ditch the formal stuff – it's time to talk about turning that dull, gray garden into a summer paradise! May's the month for action, with bustling garden centers full of goodies ready to transform your outdoor space. Let's roll up our sleeves, put on our gardening hats, and kick this gardening season off right!
Get Down to Business: Maintenance Time!
First things first: Connect with your watering systems! Wake 'em up after winter's hibernation. Check each line in the irrigation system before you fire it up for the summer. Don't be too surprised if you find yourself as the culprit behind a few leaks – we all get a bit overzealous with our yard work now and then.
Test the controller and walk around each zone, keeping an ear out for telltale signs of leaks: loud gushing or hissing noises. Be visual, too – a quick scan should help you spot any leaks.
If you've got a hose bib setup, check that out, too. West Coast folks may be dealing with early warm spells, which means your irrigation might be firing up earlier than usual. Don't forget that plants in full sun need all that H2O in the morning and around 1 to 2 inches of it per week[4].
Give your established beds some love, too. Top 'em with a layer of compost for an all-purpose fertilizer and volume-boosting goodness. This process will also enable you to assess each part of your garden, noting areas that need weeding, bug-fighting, or perk-ups.
Time to Bloom: Shrubs, Trees, & Vines
Spring is all about blooms, and shrubs like lilac and forsythia are river-dancing their way through the season. Prune 'em back once they've put on their flowery display, and many – like lilac – will treat you to a second round later on[1].
Plant a few new woody shrubs and trees if the mood strikes, while the weather's still mild and the dirt's soft from all the winter rains. Keep in mind that every tree has its own personal fertilizer requirements, so have a friendly chat with your local garden center to ensure you're spreading the right stuff for your specific greenery[1].
Prune away growing shoots on each tree to maintain shape and keep fruit production at a manageable level. Don't forget to keep your pruners and loppers spick-and-span with bleach or Lysol as you move from plant to plant, to avoid spreading plant ick between your precious green buddies[1].
Climbing perennial vines like clematis, roses, and honeysuckle are rousing from their winter siesta, so kick-start their journey toward the great outdoors by gently, but securely, tying them loosely to their trellises.
Pop of Color: Annual Flowers!
There's no denying it – annuals are the headliners when it comes to punchy blooms that transform your garden into a colorful canvas. From petunias, lobelia, marigolds, and begonias, garden centers will be chomping at the bit to help you fill your outdoor spaces with vibrant colors[3].
These tender plants are a bit more finicky than perennials, so be patient and only plant them after the risk of frost has passed. Annuals can effortlessly fill a space with color in between perennials' blooming seasons, and they're a logical choice for adding some flair to window boxes and potted planters[3].
Make sure you're including slow-release fertilizers like Osmacote in your planting beds to ensure your annuals are surface-to-air showered with love and nutrients throughout the summer.
Perennials and their Delish Blooms
Provided that you didn't chop down your tulips or other spring bloomers after they danced their final show, let 'em stick around and soak up the sun. They'll send strengthening stores back underground to help them deliver a dazzling performance next year[3].
When those tulips have retired for the season, it's fertilization time. Slip some bulb food into the ground around your dahlias and cannas to give 'em the fuel they need to show off those jaw-dropping flowers when the time is right[3].
Now is the time to plant those new perennials or divide the ones you've got. If you want them to dazzle this summer, make sure the task is crossed off your to-do list in May. Follow the planting with slow-release fertilizer in the soil, and watch those babies dance!
Bargain Hunters Unite: Plant-Picking Picks!
Keep your eyes peeled for "sad plant" sales at your local garden center, grocery store, or anywhere with a seemingly despondent plant shelf – they're slashin' prices on those plants that need a bit of TLC. Each sale of a perennial plant is technically a shout-out to the beauty of a second chance at life[3]. Embrace that theme and scoop up those discounted plants with abandon – they could wind up becoming your new favorites once you've given them some tender loving care. Delphiniums and agastache have been known to make fantastic finds[3].
Roses are pruning themselves to perfection this time of year, but they might need a bit of shaping or aphid treatment to encourage their rosy-red best. Don't forget to check in with your garden center for advice on handling pests and diseases[2].
Set Your Veggie Patch Up for Success!
May is hailed as the start of the vegetable planting season for many. Gardeners plan their tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants to take root based on local conditions and soil temperatures[4]. Some, like asparagus and artichokes, should already be in full swing[3].
The big question: When should you drop those tasty veggie seedlings into the ground? The answer varies by location, but a good rule of thumb is to keep the plants covered and kiddy-pool depth in water until Mother's Day[4]. If that date has passed and you're sitting on steady overnight temps over 50 degrees, it could be time! Your local garden club may be a good resource for keeping tabs on what others are planting and the appropriate timeline for your area[4].
Start training your veggies, like tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants[3], as they transition from their seedling phase to living large in the garden.
Happy planting, folks! Connect with your green friends, feed your spirit, and watch your garden go from homely to hedonistic as May unfolds.
- After reviving the watering systems from winter's hibernation, scan each line in the irrigation system and listen for signs of leaks, such as loud gushing or hissing noises.
- Incorporate a layer of compost into established garden beds for an all-purpose fertilizer and to assess each part of the garden, noting areas that need weeding, bug-fighting, or perk-ups.
- Take advantage of "sad plant" sales at local garden centers, grocery stores, or plant shelves, as they often offer discounts on plants requiring a bit of TLC and their new homes may become your favorites after a season of tender loving care.
- Prune away growing shoots on trees to maintain their shape and keep fruit production at a manageable level, remembering to clean pruning tools with bleach or Lysol to avoid spreading plant ick.
- Implement slow-release fertilizers into planting beds for annual flowers to ensure they receive nutrients throughout the summer and produce vibrant colors, making your garden a colorful canvas.
