May Gardening Checklist

“Be like a flower and turn your face to the sun.”
– Kahlil Gibran

What to Plant:

  • Plant ground covers and by the middle to end of the month, hot weather annuals
  • Plant bermuda.
  • Plant vegetables and perennial herbs in prepared soil or containers.

What to Prune:

  • Prune spring blooming shrubs such as forsythia after they finish flowering.
  • Prune climbing roses after their blooms fade.
  • DO NOT prune live oaks and red oaks at this time.

What to Manage:

  • Aphids and powdery mildew on roses, ornamentals, and vegetables
  • Black spot on roses. Apply fungicide as necessary according to label directions.
  • Watch for and treat bagworms on junipers and other conifers
  • Begin mowing warm grasses every 5 to 7 days. Maintain at 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 inches
  • Mulch planting beds to conserve moisture, deter weeds and keep soil cool.
  • Be attentive to the water needs of new plantings.