MAY IN THE GARDEN

May is the busiest month in the garden with plenty to do and lots to enjoy!  Time to plant trees, shrubs, vines, ground covers, perennials and fruit plants of all types.

Soil – Get your soil tested so you know exactly what amendments you need. Ask us for information on getting soil testing kits through the University of Delaware.

Bulbs – Spring bulbs look a bit frazzled but leave the foliage in place as the leaves will make the 

food the bulb needs to produce flowers for next year. It’s a great time to plant summer-flowering bulbs such as dahlias, gladiolus, canna, tuberous begonia, calla and caladium.

Shrubs – Once Spring flowering shrubs have flowered you can cut them back once the threat of frost has passed. If you wait more than three or four weeks after the shrubs flower, you’ll be removing flower buds for next year.

Perennials –  Time to plant perennials as the ground is warm and they will grow more quickly.  Perfect time to plant Native plants.  New to Natives?  Just ask us to get you started.  Keep mulching before the plants grow too big and stay on top of the weeds.

Lawn – Mow every week if possible to a height of 2.5-3 inches to maintain good vigor and health.  Choose aa dry day to weed and apply a “Weed and Feed” fertilizer/herbicide to eliminate broadleaf weeds.  Plant grass in the spots left after weeding.

Annuals – Direct sow hardy annuals such as nasturtiums, poppies, nigella and cosmos. 

Brighten porches, patios and pergolas with hanging flowering baskets filled with geranium, bidens, verbena, calibrachoa, petunia, annual phlox.  Keep them well watered and fertilized.

Tropicals – Plant a tropical paradise in your own backyard. Try hibiscus and mandevilla along with canna, bird of paradise, palm, and ti plant.

Herbs – Time to plant basil, dill, rosemary, marjoram, cilantro and fennel.  These require 6-8 hours of sunlight a day in well-drained soil.  They do well in containers right outside your kitchen door for use whenever you need them.  

Mulch! Mulch! Mulch! – The best way to keep your garden healthy is to mulch your garden with several inches of compost, pine needles, shredded bark, grass clippings, straw, or even newspaper. The mulch helps preserve soil moisture during the hot summer months and prevents weeds from taking over. As the mulch decays it adds to organic matter to your soil.

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