May Gardening, need some garden inspiration? This is a great time for visiting your local Berend Bros. Greenhouse and local public gardens to help stimulate some new ideas and possibilities. Here are a few ideas that will help you with your gardening this month.
Planting – Plant summer-blooming perennials and annuals. Choose heat-tolerant plants like purslane and bougainvillea for hanging baskets in full sun. Some shade-loving plants include hosta, ferns, and Inpatients. You can use a moisture control potting soil to allow for less frequent watering. Put plenty of mulch around all plants and flowers to help control the soil temperature and retain moisture.
Vegetable Gardens – Plant okra, cucumbers, pumpkins, basil, garlic chives, peppers, and sunflowers from seed. Container veggie transplants from the nursery in larger pots are okay to plant during May.
Weeding – Be vigilant about pulling weeds early, make sure areas are mulched properly to prevent future weeds from germinating, and help to retain moisture.
Pruning – Pinch tips of coleus to prevent flowering and encourage bushier, fuller plants. Remove spent blooms on spring and summer annuals to promote new blooms.
Fertilizing – Fertilize flower beds and vegetable gardens with slow-release fertilizer from Berend Bros., containers can be fertilized with water-soluble fertilizers.
Water – Deep root watering on trees, lawns, and shrubs is best. It encourages roots to move down into the soil where they will be less susceptible to moisture changes.
Pests – Keep an eye out for pests as well as beneficial insects in your vegetable garden. Check your garden regularly; we have a broad range of pesticides to help your garden out.
Lawn – Keep your lawn healthy by watering, fertilizing with control-released nitrogen, and mowing regularly to prevent pests.
Birds – Spring migration continues into mid-May. Clean birdbaths often and keep feeders full, and clean them after rainstorms to prevent soggy spoiled seed. Even non-birders can keep fresh water and food out at this time.