May is one of the best months to get major planting and garden work done as the threat of frost is over, but the temperatures are still mild enough to not be miserable outside. Once it gets to be June, temperatures can make it difficult to be in the garden for long periods of time during the day.
Planning
- I know spring flowering bulbs are done now, so it’s probably the last thing on your mind to think about buying them for next year, but many sites offer discounts for ordering early. A few sites that I’ve had success with fall-planted bulbs are: Longfield Gardens, Dutch Grown, and Breck’s.
- Take note of when your perennials bloom (as well as perennials at garden centers. You can do this either in a journal or with a camera. This can give you an idea of what seasons are lacking in blooms, when certain colors are in bloom at the same time if you have color schemes
Prepping
- Fertilize irises after they are done flowering – be careful not to get it on the rhizomes
- Fertilize summer-flowering bulbs as you plant them
- This is the last month to prune spring-flowering shrubs – forsythia, azalea, quince, and deutzia
- Mulch around plants if you haven’t yet – a 3 inch layer is good to moderate temperatures
Planting
- Warm season bulbs can be planted outdoors – caladiums, elephant ears, dahlias, canna lilies, gladiolas, etc.
- Continue to plant herbs and warm-season vegetables – eggplant, melons, okra, pumpkins, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, zucchini, summer squash, beans, corn
- Continue to plant warm-season annuals, perennials, and ornamental grasses
