Things To Do in May

Design-

When you plant your annuals this month, think about your flowering perennials and shrubs.  Spending a few minutes making sure your colors will coordinate is time well spent.

Chores-

Now that the worst danger of frost has passed, it's time to plant your annuals.  Make sure you get the roots down into the soil, and not just in the surface mulch.  Be careful not to let your annuals dry out, just a few hours of wilting can destroy a plant.  Watering should be done in the morning, to minimize pest and disease risk. Using a liquid fertilizer once a month will give your annuals good color and size.

Spring-flowering trees and shrubs can be pruned as soon as they stop blooming.  Though they may not seem as dormant as they were in January, it is actually a better time to prune.

Keep an eye on your roses, doing any deadheading, watering, spraying, or fertilizing as necessary.  An organic fertilizer 5-10-5, can be applied monthly to promote healthy growth and good coloration.

Watch out for weeds in the garden.  Pulling weeds early, before they get large and spread, will save you time later in the season.