May Garden Calendar

Gardening Variety

If you live far north where your growing season is short, look for vegetable varieties that mature early. For a dependable tomato harvest in Zones 2 and 3, try 'Early Girl.' In place of a pepper that produces big, blocky fruits, substitute 'Jingle Bells' or 'Gypsy.' In other zones, consider adding these to your traditional favorites. In summer seasons where the weather is too hot or too rainy, these varieties will be more apt to grow blossoms and set fruits than the big, beefsteak-type tomatoes and bell peppers.
In your water garden or pond, place hardy water lilies on bricks so the top of each pot is 4 to 6 inches below the water's surface. In Zone 6 you can add tropical water lilies when the water's temperature rises to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. In all other Midwest zones, delay planting tropical lilies until early June.
After removing container-grown plants from their pots, untangle any circling roots before planting. If the roots form a solid mat, "butterfly" the root ball by slicing halfway through from bottom to top, then pulling the two sections apart, like a butterfly spreads its wings.
After danger of frost, plant geraniums in containers or in well-drained garden soil. To help plants stay healthy, avoid crowding. Water the soil, not the leaves, and remove any spotted leaves as soon as you see them.
In Zones 4 through 6, prune straggly forsythia branches. Postpone major pruning (removal of up to a third of the oldest, thickest stems) until next winter.
Wait until the weather is warm and settled before planting cold-sensitive caladiums, lantanas, and flowering vincas.
In Zones 2 through 4, hurry peonies into blooming for Memorial Day by cutting stems that have fat flower buds. After pinching off side buds, immerse the stems in a bucket of warm water.
Move houseplants outdoors to a sheltered spot as soon as nights are reliably above 50 degrees. Choose a sheltered spot to give the plants a chance to gradually get used to bright light and wind.
Plant warm-season zoysia grass in zones 5 and 6.
Reduce the number of bagworms on junipers and other evergreens by handpicking last year's bags before the eggs hatch, usually about the time Japanese lilac trees begin to bloom. When the tree lilacs bloom, the time is right to spray Dipel or other "Bt" product to control newly hatched bagworms.
Inspect pines for sawfly larvae, wormlike insects that feed in clusters and can quickly defoliate a young pine. Shake any infested branch over a bucket of hot soapy water.
After danger of frost passes in zones 2 and 3, get sweet corn off to a fast start by soaking the seeds overnight in warm water before planting.
Protect new transplants from cutworms by surrounding each plant with a cardboard collar or a bottomless paper cup.
Spread mulch around lily plants and clematis vines to keep the roots cool.
Harvest asparagus spears every day or two to catch the tips in their prime.