Lawn and Garden Life: May
May is magnificent in our region. You still need to watch out for a frost, but use these nice Spring days to prep your soil. By Memorial Day you should be ready to plant just about everything!
May To-Do lists
● Apply crabgrass preventer. Check your fertilizer program for more specifics.
● Plant hardy annuals that can tolerate cool weather or a light frost – pansies, sweet alyssum, dianthus or snapdragons. All do well in the ground or in containers.
● Stake tall perennials such as peonies, false sunflower, asters or delphinium while still relatively small.
● Prune shrubs that bloom on old wood after they are done flowering.
● Prune rose bushes before blooms start to show.
● Divide summer and fall blooming perennials before they reach 6 inches (15 cm.)
● Remove faded flowers from spring blooming bulbs, but don’t remove the foliage until it wilts and turns brown.
● Purchase locally grown geraniums.
● Harvest those cool-season crops, including asparagus and peas if you have them.
● If you’ve never planted asparagus, May is a great time to do it!
● Plant members of the nightshade family – potatoes, tomatoes, peppers and eggplants.
● Edge and mulch beds if you haven’t already – don’t let the summer weeds take hold. In fact, now is the best time to remove weeds while ground is moist.
● Watch for those pesky pests like rabbits and groundhogs. Also watch for aphids and other pests. Use insecticidal soap or other less toxic controls to keep them in check.
● Late May – plant pretty much all your veggies – lettuce, swiss chard, spinach, or other leafy greens, plus beans, carrots, peas, chives, broccoli and cabbage.
● Don’t forget to water everything!
1. Choose a Great Container
Consider your space, your style and of course your budget.
CountryMax has many containers to choose from:
● Terra-Cotta – a traditional favorite
● Wood – rustic and versatile
● Plastic – light and long-lasting
● Metal – including everyday buckets!
The larger your container, the less you need to water, but be sure it has holes in the bottom to allow extra water to drain out.
2. Select the Right Color and Plant Combos
When combining plants, be sure they share the similar light and water requirements. Here’s a favorite formula for eye-catching containers:
● Thriller: Add height with a striking vertical plant, often near the center.
● Filler: Round out the container and make it look full.
● Spiller: Choose a few plants that hang over the edge, providing an abundant overflow of color.
3. Fill Your Container with Potting Mix
Start your container by filling it two-thirds full with a good all-purpose potting mix. Don't use garden soil. Here are three recommendations from the CountryMax team.
4. Add Plants to the Container
Set plants in potting mix so root balls are a couple of inches below the rim of your container. This will make it easier for you to water later. Fill with more potting mix and use your hands to press down, eliminating air pockets.
5. Water Regularly!
Water your container garden right away to help the soil settle. Keep soil about two inches below the rim so water doesn’t spill! Check back in a day or two. If first inch is dry, water again!
Starting a new vegetable or flower garden?
Here are the key steps to follow:
● Choose the right day — you want to work your soil when it’s moist. That doesn’t mean the day after a soaking rain when it’s wet and muddy.
● Eliminate the existing grass or vegetations. Then turn the soil over to at least 12 inches.
● Add 2-3 inches of compost, really working it into the existing soil.
● Guard against the weeds now! Cover the bed with 3 or 4 inches of mulch OR use a weed-and-feed fertilizer. Of course, CountryMax sells mulch and all kinds of fertilizer.
● Add even more compost on top to help preserve moisture.
● Watch for the perfect planting day — after the last frost.
Check out these helpful tools you’ll find at CountryMax.