May is the time to start thinking about the summer garden. If one wants to enjoy color during the summer, spring is the time to plant out summer flowering annuals, bulbs, perennials and shrubs. This is also the month to begin getting the lawn in shape for the summer. In fact, what you accomplish this month will greatly cut back on garden maintenance the rest of this spring and summer.
- Clean up rhododendrons and azaleas after flowering.
- Pick up your filled containers and hanging baskets after the long week end from Port Kells Nurseries.
- Pinch the tips of chrysanthemums and asters to promote growth.
- Shop for annuals and other summer color plants and plant them out after the risk of hard frost has passed.
- Transplant half hardy annual seedlings and sow sunflowers and other annuals directly into the garden.
- Plant tomato seedlings in a sunny spot, ideally under an overhang to protect plants from excessive moisture.
- Plant dahlia tubers with a stake to support the mature plant.
- Bring out tender exotics such as brugmansia, fuchsia, lantana and tibouchina from the greenhouse.
- Put out hanging baskets. Water regularly with half strength 20-20-20.
