As an experienced gardener with years of hands-on success, here's your trusted guide to May's key tasks.
Focus on April's seedlings now—transplanting is crucial. For small plants, use buckets; for others, plant directly in the ground and cover or mulch to protect against cool nights.
Stay ahead of weeds with frequent hoeing—it's simple, quick, and highly effective.
Your first gourmet tomatoes are showing green shoots. Pinch off side shoots along the main stem, but leave the primary stem intact until later, shortening it above the 5th flower cluster.
Planting season is here—stagger sowings every 15 days for salads, beans, radishes, zucchini, and more to prevent overproduction.
Once soil warms, mulch to suppress weeds and shelter soil life.
Sow annuals directly: large seeds like nasturtium or morning glory go in their final spot—no transplanting needed. Smaller ones start in a nursery bed for later transplanting into veggie patches.
If you fertilized in autumn (compost, manure), hold off initially. In frequently watered gardens, nutrients leach quickly—opt for crop-specific fertilizers (tomato, strawberry, etc.). Well-varied compost (seaweed, manure) can suffice on its own.
