Spring is in full swing, and it’s time to roll up your sleeves and get to work in your garden. May is the perfect time to really get your hands dirty and start preparing for the summer growing season. Whether you’re brand new to gardening or a seasoned pro, there are plenty of jobs to do in the garden this month. Here are five essential tasks to add to your May gardening to-do list.
Plant Summer Bulbs – Now is the perfect time to plant summer-flowering bulbs like gladiolus, dahlias, and lilies. Make sure to choose a sunny spot in your garden and plant the bulbs at a depth of about twice their size. Cover the bulbs with soil and give them a good watering. In a few months, you’ll have a beautiful show of colour in your garden.
Clean Up Your Garden Beds – May is a great time to get rid of any dead plants, weeds, and debris from your garden beds. Trim back any dead growth from your perennials and shrubs, and get rid of any weeds that have popped up. This will help your garden beds look neat and tidy, and will also promote healthy growth in your plants.
Plant New Annuals – May is the perfect time to start planting new annuals in your garden. Choose bright, cheerful flowers like marigolds, petunias, and zinnias. Make sure to choose flowers that are appropriate for your garden’s soil and sunlight conditions, and plant them according to the instructions on their seed packets.
Prune Shrubs and Trees – May is a good time to prune your shrubs and trees to promote healthy growth. Take a look at your plants and prune out any dead, damaged, or diseased branches. Doing this will help your plants produce more blooms and fruit and will keep them looking neat and tidy.
Start a Compost Pile – May is a great time to start a compost pile in your garden. Collect any dead plant material, leaves, and kitchen scraps, and start layering them in a compost bin or pile. Over time, these materials will break down into rich, nutrient-dense compost that you can use to improve the health of your garden soil.
May is a busy month in the garden, but all of your hard work will pay off when you have a beautiful, healthy garden to enjoy throughout the summer. Whether you’re planting new flowers, pruning shrubs and trees, or starting a compost pile, there are plenty of tasks to keep you busy this month. So, put on your gardening gloves and get to work – there’s no better time to get your hands dirty!