The May Garden Checklist

What to do in May

May marks a significant month in the gardening calendar, bridging spring’s lively burst and summer’s looming warmth. It’s a time of rapid growth and flourishing blooms, offering the gardener a blend of maintenance tasks and planting opportunities. Whether you’re cultivating a sprawling backyard or nurturing a modest balcony space, here’s a checklist to keep your green spaces thriving in May.

1. Prep the Soil

• Test Soil pH – Use a soil test kit to check the pH balance. This will help you understand if you need to adjust the soil acidity or alkalinity with lime or sulfur.
• Add Organic Matter – Mix in compost, leaf mold, or well-rotted manure to enrich the soil. Focus on vegetable beds and flower borders.
• Aerate Compacted Areas – Use a fork to gently aerate compacted soil, improving drainage and oxygen flow to plant roots.

2. Plant Summer Flowers

• Harden Off Seedlings – Gradually acclimate indoor-started seedlings to outdoor conditions over a week before planting.
• Plant Bulbs and Seedlings – Plant gladiolus, lilies, and dahlias. Ensure tender plants like impatiens are only planted after the last frost.
• Create Color Schemes – Plan your color themes and plant in clusters for visual impact.

3. Vegetable Planting

• Follow a Planting Calendar – Check a local planting guide to know the best times for specific crops in your zone.
• Use Succession Planting – Stagger plantings of crops like lettuce and radishes to extend your harvest period.
• Plant Perennials – Consider planting perennial vegetables like asparagus and rhubarb, which will provide yields in future years.

4. Pruning and Deadheading

• Prune Early Spring Bloomers – Trim spring-flowering shrubs immediately after their flowers fade.
• Shape Hedges – Trim evergreen hedges to keep them neat and manageable.
• Deadhead Regularly – Remove old blooms from plants like tulips and daffodils to direct energy back to the plant.

5. Lawn Care

• Scarify and Aerate – Use a lawn scarifier to remove thatch and aerate the lawn to improve water absorption.
• Edge Borders – Cleanly edge the lawn borders to create a tidy appearance.
• Check for Pests – Look for signs of lawn pests or diseases and treat them accordingly.

6. Pest and Weed Control

• Apply Mulch – Lay down a layer of mulch around plants to suppress weeds and retain soil moisture.
• Hand-Pull Weeds – Regularly remove weeds by hand or with a hoe, especially in vegetable gardens.
• Monitor for Pests – Inspect plants daily for pests; use insecticidal soaps or introduce beneficial insects like ladybugs.

7. Watering

• Install Drip Irrigation – Consider setting up a drip irrigation system for efficient watering.
• Check Watering Needs – Use a moisture meter to check if plants need watering, to avoid over or under-watering.
• Mulch to Retain Moisture – Apply a layer of organic mulch around plants to help keep the soil moist.

8. Support Climbing Plants

• Tie Back Plants – Use soft ties to secure plants to supports without damaging stems.
• Install New Structures – Put up trellises or arches for climbers like sweet peas and climbing beans.
• Check for Stability – Ensure existing support structures are secure and repair any that are damaged.

9. Container Gardening Refresh

• Rotate Plants – Move plants to larger pots if they have outgrown their current ones.
• Refresh Soil – Replace the top layer of soil with fresh potting mix to give nutrients a boost.
• Choose Heat-Tolerant Plants – For hot spots, select plants that tolerate high temperatures.

10. Enjoy Your Garden

• Create Seating Areas – Arrange seating to enjoy different views of your garden.
• Install Lighting – Add solar lights to extend your garden enjoyment into the evening.
• Document the Garden – Keep a garden diary or photo album to track the garden’s progress and note what works and what doesn’t.

This detailed breakdown should help you tackle your gardening tasks with greater precision and enjoyment this May!