May lawn and garden tips:

Lawn grass does not need water until it begins to wilt. If the grass begins to wilt, apply approximately 1 inch of water. One way to measure this is to set a coffee can under the sprinkler to measure. Just run the water until 1 inch is in the can.

Houseplants need tending as they grow. Prune and pinch plants on a regular basis. Remove overly long stems as they appear. Repot houseplants anytime during the spring & summer season. If they grow too rapidly and outgrow their pots, repot or divide them.

Around the end of the month of May, plant warm-weather crops such as tomatoes, pepper, eggplants, cucumbers, and squash.

Watering small annual plants is critical. Do not let them dry out, but do not keep them soaked or they will rot off. Soak the soil and allow the plants to wilt before watering again. It is best to water in the morning so that the plants have plenty of time to dry before nightfall.

Ornamental Pears and Magnolias are in full bloom. We recommend: Royal Star Magnolia (10’x10’ grower. White, now water lily like, large leaf. Great for adding texture to the landscape. Great as an ornamental or screener. Multi-stemmed specimen.) Merrill Magnolia (35’ x 20’ grower). Ann Magnolia (10’ x 10’ pink/purple flowers. Very popular).

May Weather: It's okay to plant woody plants now such as trees, shrubs, and evergreens. Tender plants such as Annuals, Perennials, and Tropicals from the greenhouse need protection and acclimating still from freezing temps. Temperature acclimated (those that have adjusted to being outdoors for steady periods of time) perennials are okay to plant now.

By mid-May it is pretty safe to take a chance of leaving more tender plants outdoors day and night. Annuals can typically be placed in the garden by the end of the month. It’s good to be prepared for a late frost up until Memorial Day after that most planting is in the clear.

 

May is a great month in the perennial garden with lots of plants in bloom. Shrubs such as Rhododendrons, lilacs, Korean Spice Viburnums and Vanhoutte Spirea are in bloom this month. Mulch around the bases of newly planted shade and fruit trees.

 

Plan ahead. Where will you put all the plants you have been growing indoors or purchased already this year? Making a garden plan can be a helpful tool.

 

By the end of the month, annuals can be set out in the garden. The worry about a late frost should be over, but do keep an eye on the weather, just in case. Have some cover options available for tender plants just in case, but remember to uncover them in the daytime if the sun is out so they don’t cook.

 

Prune your lilacs within two weeks after they bloom. They set their flower buds in June and July for next season.

Roses are a great Mother’s Day gift. Mom can enjoy them in the garden all summer. Plant them in full sun for the best success.

Be sure to water your container plants daily. Hanging baskets may require watering twice per day especially those in full sun. Feed them every two weeks or use a time release fertilizer that nourishes them all season.

Apply Milky Spore or a grub control to rid your landscape of pesky Japanese Beetles. This will not only limit them to your favorite plants but help your lawn too as the grubs snack on the roots of your grass.

Remember, spring is planting season. If you have questions about what will grow best in your yard or specific bloom times of plants, check with your garden center. Give Breezy Hill a call or stop in to see all the options.