May is a magical month in the garden. Everything is waking up, blooming, and growing like crazyāand if youāre like us, you canāt wait to dig in! Whether youāre a weekend warrior or an everyday garden guru, hereās your go-to checklist to keep your May garden looking its best.
šæ 1. Plant Summer Stars
Nowās the time to plant your warm-season favorites! In Zones 5ā6 and beyond, the threat of frost is (finally!) gone.
- Annuals: Get those colorful annuals like petunias, impatiens, and marigolds in the ground or containers.
- Vegetables: Tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, squash, and beans can all be planted now.
- Herbs: Basil, cilantro, parsley, thyme, and more will thrive in the warming soil.
š” Pro Tip: Mix in Espoma Bio-Tone Starter Plus and Adoria Compost to give new plants a strong, healthy start.
šø 2. Feed the Flowers
Give perennials and flowering shrubs a dose of balanced fertilizer to promote big, bold blooms. May is the perfect time to feed roses, hydrangeas, peonies, and your freshly planted annuals.
š¼ 3. Deadhead & Divide
Snip off spent blooms on early bloomers like daffodils and tulips, but leave the foliage to feed the bulb for next year. Itās also a great time to divide overgrown perennials like daylilies, hostas, and phlox.
š³ 4. Time to Mulch
Refresh garden beds with a layer of mulch to lock in moisture and suppress weeds. Scotts NatureScapes Mulch is a great choice for color and coverage. Aim for 2ā3 inches, but donāt pile it against stems or trunks.
š± 5. Water Wisely
Spring rains are nice, but May can sneak in some dry spells. Water deeply and early in the day to prevent stress and disease.
š Tip: Install soaker hoses or drip irrigation for easy, efficient watering.
š» 6. Stake Tall Plants
Get ahead of floppy flowers by staking peonies, delphiniums, and tomatoes before they start toppling over. Trust usāyour future self will thank you.
š 7. Check for Pests & Problems
Inspect leaves and stems for aphids, mites, and disease. Catching issues early means you can treat them before they spread.
šæ Organic options like neem oil and insecticidal soap are great for staying green while fighting pests.
š 8. Attract Pollinators
Add bee- and butterfly-friendly plants like coneflowers, milkweed, salvia, and lavender. Pollinators are key to your veggie gardenās success!
š§¤ 9. Tidy Up Your Tools
Clean, sharpen, and organize your gardening tools. Give your potting shed or garage a spring sweepāfuture planting days will go smoother when youāre organized.
šŖ“ 10. Pot Up Patio Planters
Design colorful containers with thrillers, fillers, and spillers. Be bold! This is your time to shine.
š Bonus Tip: Celebrate Your Garden!
Invite friends over, enjoy coffee among the blooms, or snap a few photos of your handiwork. May is when your hard work begins to blossomāliterally!
Ready to Get Growing?
Shop plants, fertilizers, mulch, tools, and garden dĆ©cor online or in-store. And donāt forgetāyou can pre-order summer beauties at ShipMyPlants.com and have them delivered right to your door!
