To Do List for May

May's To Do List might not seem so long considering all we have to do in the garden, but just the entry "Weed" says enough! Here is what I plan to do in my garden in May.

1) Weed*Weed*Weed* Need I say more?

2) Divide and move perennials as necessary. Some perennials which can be divided this time of year include: Hostas, Daylillies, Brown Eyes, Coneflowers, Moss Phlox, Shastas, Bee Balm, Ornamental grasses, Irises (after bloom preferably), Daffodils and other already bloomed bulbs. Most any plant can be moved now, but peonies in particular prefer to be moved in the fall. Keep in mind that any plant you move now may require extra babying this summer in terms of watering.

3) Lay out soaker hoses for summer watering. If you prefer, install a drip irrigation system now while it is still fairly cool and not needed. I use soaker hoses for all gardens.

4) Move all houseplants outside if you haven't already. Divide and repot wintered over ferns and repot potbound houseplants like: philodendrons, pothos and spider plants.

5) Take cuttings of perennials to increase your stock of plants. Some plants I start from cuttings include: Salvias, Russian sage, Chrysanthemums, Helenium, Veronica, Sedums, Cleyera, Agastache, asters.

6) Trim back perennials to keep them bushy. I trim: Chrysanthemums, Helianthus, Helenium, Russian Sage, Eupatoriums, and Sedums.

7) Apply mulch if needed. Fluff existing mulch and be sure to uncover emerging perennials. Some of my hostas are emerging late and I am having a hard time finding them, so be diligent.

8) Move seedlings that have sprouted up. Such seedlings can include: Cleomes, Feverfew, Alyssum, Eupatoriums, Cosmos, Pulmonaria, hellebores, santolina.

9) Hand prune shrubs for bushiness and fullness. Shrubs to prune include: Privet, Photinias, Nandinas, Yews, Cleyera, Silverberry, and roses. Remember pruning stimulates growth so prune to a bud where you wish growth to come from.

10) Shape your young trees. I hand trim J. Maples, Crepe Myrtles, and Crabapples to remove suckers and direct growth in the manner I wish. Many larger trees such as oaks and maples may have alot of sucker growth along the trunk due to the stress they suffered the last few years, you will want to prune them out. I have been busy with this in my garden. The twiggy growth is not welcomed and I prefer clean trunks up to about 15-20 feet.

11) Deadhead perennials. Some perennials I always try (try being the imperative word) to deadhead include: irises, tulips, daffys, and peonies. I leave self seeders like hellebores, Jacobs ladder and the salvias.

12) Continue feeding hummingbirds. Ensure your birdbaths are clean and full.

13) Plant all warm season vegetables and seeds. Tomatoes, eggplants and peppers should all be in the ground by now. I will be planting seeds of cucumbers, gourds, corn, zucchini, and beans as soon as some cool weather crops move out of the beds. May is the month these can all be planted. You may wish to succession plant later as well. Be sure to plant corn in a block form for better pollination. I always try to plant right after a rain and near when a rain is coming.

14) Now is NOT the time to fertilize or overseed cool season grasses. You would just be wasting your money. If you grow warm season grasses, by all means give it a dose of recommended fertilizer. I grow cool season grasses and am done with all maintenance except mowing until the fall. Mow your grass frequently and to the recommended height. This is vital to a healthy cool or warm season lawn. Leaving the clippings on the lawn should be all the nitrogen your cool season lawn requires at this time of the year.

15) Plant all warm season bulbs and tender plants (such as Pineapple sage and brugmansias). Dahlias should be planted and staked at the time of planting. Peonies will also need to be staked and gladiolus are now emerging from their winter hibernation, stake them as well.

16) One more important thing I am adding to the list this year is to limit your plantings of big things until the fall. If you can't resist and have to purchase shrubs or trees at this time, be prepared to water them to help them get through the summer. The last few summers have been brutal on newly planted shrubs and trees. I am keeping mine in pots until the fall. I will still have to water but watering pots will be so much easier.

Remember, these are things I do in my Zone 6/7 garden here in Tennessee and it may be different in yours. What are you doing this month?

in the garden....

It is so fun looking back at all the old comments from last year. I hope the folks on here enjoy it as much as I do! It is like a picture frozen in time to me and takes me back. Was it only last year??

I had posted a friend's wisteria on here last year, I should've reposted an updated picture of the arbor as I do have some from this year, but instead posted a pic of an azalea in my garden. I enjoy them so much.

My oldest son's birthday is Sunday. I want to wish him a Happy Birthday a bit early.