What's On The Agenda?

Things you could or should be doing in your garden in…

… May

Plant heat-loving annuals, such as coleus, periwinkle, begonias and lantana, and summer bulbs, like caladiums and elephant ears.

Watch newly planted trees and shrubs for drought stress; their roots have not grown into the native soil yet and need supplemental watering to become established.

Be on the lookout for black spot on roses and begin a 3-in-1 product for season-long protection on hybrid teas or plant low maintenance shrub roses that are more disease resistant.

Prune side shoots on climbing roses back to 6-8” long after flowering to promote more flowering shoots for next year.

Combat outbreaks of aphids and thrips on garden plants; spray early with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent infestations before they get a foothold and become widespread.

Apply BT (bacillus thuringiensis) to all needle evergreens to control bagworms.

Deadhead annuals regularly to encourage flowering throughout the season.

Deadhead bearded iris after they have finished flowering so that energy is not wasted on seed production.

Stake and mulch all tomatoes in the garden, and prune off suckers. Make sure tomatoes receive even moisture during flowering and early fruit set; maintain even moisture levels to discourage blossom end rot.

Sow beans, peas and okra directly in the garden once temperatures reach 60F.

Protect squash plants with spun-bound row cover to keep the squash vine borer moth from laying eggs on young squash and zucchini vines.

Control broadleaf weeds in lawns with an appropriate post-emergent herbicide.

Apply a second application of turf fertilizer in warm season (Bermuda, zoysia) grasses using 1lb/1000sqft of actual nitrogen.

Water lawns deeply and intermittently to encourage deep rooting; apply at least ½” of water at one time before 10am.