May Gardening Tips

Hopefully last week’s warmer weather is finally thawing you and your lawns.  Y’all–it is MAY! Is your garden ready?  There is a chance that with this lingering cooler weather, you might not have had a chance to get out in the yard or garden yet.  No worries! We’ve got you covered for what you should do this May.

Lawn Care

Aerate
  • Lawn not coming back as lush as you would like?  You may need to aerate.  You can do it by hand (not recommended–trust us!) or you can rent an aerator (Home Depot, Lowes, etc.)  Aeration will allow your grass to get more air, water and nutrients.  If you have areas that are looking bare or sparse, you may also want to put down some grass seed. Consider overseeding in the areas that are really struggling.
 Mowing
  • Keep mowing heights in mind:  fescue should be cut at three inches.  Zoysia should be cut at one inch.  If none of this sounds appealing, remember you can always call us to take care of your lawn! We would love to provide an estimate once we know your needs.  See our website for what services we provide, or request an estimate today!
 Fertilize or Not
  • Fertilize zoysia lawns this month, but do NOT fertilize tall fescue now.

Daffodil and Tulip Care

No Trimming Yet
  • What about daffodils and tulips that are finished blooming? While you may be tempted to trim them back, DON’T!  You will risk the possibility of them not blooming next year. It is best to wait until the leaves turn yellow to cut them back.  Just wait.  You can do it!
Dividing or Transplanting?
  • Have your daffodils gotten too thick or you want to relocate some or all of them? Once the leaves have turned yellow, and before you trim, you should divide or move daffodils.  If your daffodils have gotten too thick, you will want to divide them.  Not sure how to do that?  Check out this site. You can replant the bulbs in your own garden, or share them with a friend who needs a little spring joy in their garden next year.  If you wait until the end of the summer to move your daffodils, you may not be able to find them.

What to Plant Now

Annuals
  • Great choices for sunny spots:
    • geranium, marigold, petunia, zinnia, lantana, vinca, angelonia
  • Great choices for shady spots:
    • begonia, impatiens, coleus, torenia, caladium
Vegetables
  • It is a great time to plant eggplant, pepper, tomato, sweet potato, beans, cantaloupe, corn, cucumbers, okra, southern peas, pumpkin, squash and watermelon.
  • Need planting tips?

What Else?

Strawberry Season
  • Go pick or purchase locally grown strawberries.  Go see our friends at Phillips Farms off Morrisville Carpenter Road.  Follow them on Facebook for their picking times and to make sure the berries aren’t picked over before you go.
Fresh Air for Houseplants
  • Let your houseplants get some air and move them outside.  Just make sure that they are in an area that is shaded and keep them our of direct sun.  Don’t take them out for the first time on a really hot day.  Let them acclimate to warmer temps.
Water Your Plants
  • Folks, don’t forget, plants are living things!  Make sure that if the weather has been dry, you are giving them a good soaking at least once a week!  A good soaking means water slowly and deeply at the root base – no splashing!  Splashing your plants is not watering them!  Get watering tips here.
Go Earthing
  • In fact, you should be “earthing” while you water.  What is that?  Earthing means walking barefoot on soil, grass or sand.  Early studies are showing that the health benefits come from the relationship between our bodies and the electrons in the earth.  So many reasons to be outside … barefoot!