By Gary Crispell, NC State Extension Master Gardener SM volunteer of Durham County
Ahh, May. The lovely month. The month for mothers, proms, college graduations, and the first great beach weekend—Memorial Day. It is generally not too hot and rarely too cool. The month of balmy days that lead to enchanting evenings on the veranda (deck, patio, veranda—whatever). Enjoy the evening. There’s gardening to be done on the morrow.
Despite the drought, the ACG springs to life. The purple of the iris (Iris germanica) shines against a bright blue sky. (Image credit: Gary Crispell)
Speaking of the morrow, there’s sooo much to be done in the Accidental Cottage Garden (ACG). Being essentially out of commission for six months puts one rather much behind gardening wise. Nature continues on no matter what your condition. We were most fortunate to have 7 generous and caring Extension Master GardenerSM volunteers descend upon the ACG and clean it up in preparation for spring. Never were friends more welcome. The reward for their efforts is a plethora of blooming plants. There are flax (Linum vesitatissimum), dianthus (Dianthus deltoides), rocket larkspur (Delphinium ajacis), English daisy (Bella perennis), and false vervain (Verbena canadensis) which will be around all summer. The iris (Iris germanica) were amazing. Some of them had been in 3 gallon nursery pots since we moved eight years ago. I think they were overjoyed to get their roots into something other than C-horizon subsoil.
(Left to right) Cottage garden staples, multicolored sweet Williams are popping, and the always drought resistant, tried-and true-gallardia has returned. (Image credit: Gary Crispell; Melinda Heigel)
The gallardia (Gallardia pulcherella) has also begun its summer-long show, while the peonies (Paeonia suffruticossa x hybrid) came and went in less than a week—too hot and dry, I reckon. What we really enjoy right now are the many-hued sweet Williams (Dianthus barbadus). They just cover the white/pink/red/violet spectrum.
This year’s experiment (There’s always one.) will be with a lot of zinnia (Zinnia elegans) seeds and not quite as many cosmos (C. bipinnatus & C. sulphureus). Going for the cut flower thing. I wanted to sow them a month ago, but I have (like everyone else) been waiting for rain. Now that we’ve had some, let’s go play in the garden!
Lawn Care
Warm season grass people, it is your turn. If you didn’t fertilize the lawn in April, get to it. A good slow-release fertilizer that meets the requirements notated in your SOIL TEST results is in order. Also, sharpen those mower blades.
Cool season grass folks, just mow it, but not less than 3”. Do not, he repeated, fertilize cool season grasses until fall.
Fertilizing
Speaking of fertilizing; long-season vegetable crops like tomatoes, beans, and squash (among others) will benefit from a side dressing1 6-8 weeks after germination. (What?! You didn’t start your own from seed? You bought plants at a Big Box? Give them a week or two in the ground and then side dress.)
While you have the bag open throw some fert at your summer annuals and perennials, too.
Azaleas and rhododendrons and camellias and other ericaceous (acid loving) plants will benefit from a shot of acid fertilizer about now.
Planting
May is the second best time in the veggie garden. (Everybody knows harvest is the best time.) It is time to plant beans (snap, pole, bush limas, etc.), cantaloupe, cucumbers, eggplant, okra, southern peas, peppers sweet and hot, pumpkins, squash, watermelon and, for you non-competitive types, tomatoes.
Gladioli bulbs may be planted now as may begonias, geraniums and other annuals that you didn’t plant in late April.
Pruning
May is a good time for pruning late-winter and spring-blooming woody plants like camellias and camellias–once the bloom show has ceased.(Image credit:Jim Robbins CC BY-NC-ND 4.0; Cathy DeWitt CC BY 4.0)
Spring-flowering shrubs (e.g. azaleas, camellias, etc.) may be pruned as soon as the blooms fade. Azaleas may be pruned until the 4th of July without cutting off next year’s buds.
Overgrown hedges can still be pruned.
Keep pinching back garden mums until mid-July.
Hand prune azalea and camellia leaf galls. They are generally not harmful to the plant but are most unattractive.
I realize your grandmother always cut back the daffodils and iris and other spring bulbs as soon as the flowers faded. I urge you to resist the temptation to carry on that tradition. The bulbs need that foliage to make the sugars that will provide the energy to bloom again next year. Wait until the foliage itself yellows before whacking it off and relegating it to the compost heap. The bulbs thank you.
Spraying
Monitor rhododendron species including azaleas for borers. Spray if necessary.
Spray iris beds for iris borers which you probably will not see.
Scout for and spray as necessary for bag worms. They are on the move this month.
May is a good time to begin to try to eliminate poison ivy/oak (Rhus radicans) and Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica). Best wishes.
Begin spraying squash vines for borers.
Monitor the blueberry plants for borers. Spray as necessary.
Continue the never-ending spray programs for roses, fruit trees and bunch grapes.
Other insect pests active now include azalea lace bugs, boxwood leaf miners, euonymus and tea scales, spider mites (especially on coniferous evergreens), the ubiquitous aphids, and the bane of my gardening existence–white flies.
If (or more likely when) your tomatoes show signs of blight begin a fungicide regimen.
Always, always only spray when necessary and READ & FOLLOW label directions.
OTHER THINGS TO DO IN MAY THAT COULD QUITE POSSIBLY INCLUDE THE GARDEN
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with mariachis and an appropriate libation (and friends, of course).
Mulch stuff. You and the plants will be much happier through the summer (of drought and water restrictions?).
Perhaps Sunday afternoon tea on the veranda (or wine and cheese–nobody’s judging.)
Put out a flag on Memorial Day and thank a veteran.
A most merry May, Y’all.
Notes
1–Side dressing refers to the placement of fertilizer alongside plant rows or plants. This is typically done once plants have started to grow.
Resources and Additional Information
Caring for spring bulbs after flowering
How to direct sew flower seed in spring
Edited by Melinda Heigel, NC State Extension Master Gardener SM volunteer of Durham County
Article Short Link: https://wp.me/p2nIr1-7rV
