What essential jobs to do in the garden this May
May is a time for growth and beauty in the garden! Here are some essential jobs to tackle this month:
Seeding and Planting:
- Tender delights: Once the risk of frost has completely passed (usually later in May for most regions), it is safe to plant out summer bedding plants like tomatoes, peppers, squash, and eggplants.
- Harden off first: If you started some plants indoors, "harden them off" by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions for a week or so before transplanting.
- Sow cool-season crops: If you have not already, May is still a suitable time to sow seeds for cool-season vegetables like peas, carrots, spinach, and lettuce directly outdoors.
- Second chance for potatoes: You can plant second early potatoes outdoors in May. Do not forget to chit them beforehand!
Maintaining Beauty:
- Mow and maintain: Keep your lawn in check with regular mowing. You can also consider letting some areas grow long to provide a haven for wildlife.
- Weed control: Regularly weeding your beds prevents unwanted plants from competing with your desired ones for resources.
- Mulch madness: Apply a layer of mulch around your plants to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature.
- Fertilize: Give your lawn and flower beds a boost with a balanced fertilizer to promote healthy growth.
Other Important Tasks:
- Water wisely: As temperatures rise, be mindful of watering needs, especially for newly planted seedlings and containers. Water deeply and early in the morning to minimize evaporation.
- Watch for pests: Keep an eye out for common garden pests like aphids, slugs, and snails. Act early to prevent them from damaging your plants.
- Support your climbers: As climbing plants start to grow, provide them with appropriate supports like trellises or pergolas.
- Deadheading: Regularly deadheading spent flowers will encourage further blooms on many flowering plants.
Bonus Tip:
- Prune with care: For spring-flowering shrubs and hedges, wait until after they have finished flowering before pruning them.
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