Gardening in May
Whether you are baking in full sun or still experiencing winter like weather, you can still get a head start on this years garden. Look below for tips and ideas of what to grow this time of year.
START IN FLATS
V: Beans, corn, cucumber, eggplant, muskmelons, peppers, summer squash, watermelon A: ageratum, celosia, cosmos, coreopsis, petunia, snapdragons, sunflower, zinnia H: basil
PLANT
V: Beans, corn, eggplant, muskmelons, okra, peppers, squash, tomatoes P: alstromeria, begonias, dahlia, gaillardia, geranium, lavender, lobelia, marigolds, nicotiana, penstemon, petunias, phlox, salvia, sunflowers, verbena H: basil, thyme Almost any tree, shrub, vine or perennial
DIRECT SOW
V: Beans, beets, carrots, corn, cucumber, eggplant, greens, onions, pepper, sweet peas, tomatoes
FERTILIZE naturally with N-P-K
Fertilize most plants and lawns and water in well. Please use organic non chemical fertilizers. Mulch, fish emulsion, manure are great ways to incorporate a layer of nutrients. Apply iron chelate to azalea, camellia, citrus and gardenia if foliage is yellowish with green veins. Use a slow release nitrogen like alfalfa meal on annuals.
PRUNE
Pinch back evergreen shrubs, thin citrus, remove suckers from roses and fruit trees. Deadhead spring flowering shrubs after they bloom.
MULCH IRRIGATION SOIL
Mulch to conserve water and to control weeds.
PESTS
Treat rust, mildew, and black spot on roses. Trap gophers. Knock off aphids with strong steam of water. Handpick or trap snails, slugs and earwigs.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Harden off seedlings. Plant cover crop of bell beans, vetch and annual buckwheat every 6 weeks through September 15. Do not water natives plants. Check irrigation system. Give live plants for Mother’s Day. Aerate compacted lawns.