- May is a great month to plant annuals, perennials, shrubs, roses, trees, and ground covers. Fertilize new plantings with Fertilome Root Stimulator.
- Plant bedding plant annuals, such as begonia, impatiens, periwinkle, petunias, caladiums, zinnia, etc. Fertilize with TLC Garden Max or Espoma Organic Flower-Tone.
- Plant tomatoes, peppers, melons, cucumber, sweet potatoes, eggplant, okra, etc. Fertilize with TLC Tomato & Vegetable Food or Espoma Organic Garden-Tone.
- Prepare soil in flower and vegetable beds with Back to Earth Soil Conditioner.
- Preen Weed Preventer has a specialized formula to keep weed seeds from sprouting for three months around trees, shrubs, and flowers.
- Fertilize Bermuda grass lawns with TLC Premium Lawn Food. Also, if you did not fertilize cool-season grasses in April, do so in early May.
- Seed cool-season grasses, such as fescue, as soon as possible.
- The best time to plant Bermuda grass seed is mid-May through mid-August.
- Spray established lawn weeds with Bio Advanced All-In-One Lawn Weed & Crabgrass Killer.Â
- Nutsedge is a difficult lawn weed to kill, but can be controlled with Image.
- Kill most common lawn pests, including ants, fleas, and ticks with Bio Advanced Complete Insect Killer.
- Spray Ortho Grass-B-Gon, a grassy weed killer, over the top of many flowers, ground covers, and shrubs. It kills bermudagrass, crabgrass, etc., in landscape beds without injuring desirable plants. Please read the label thoroughly for approved plants.
- After they bloom prune spring flowering shrubs, such as Forsythia, Quince, Lilac, and Azalea. Also fertilize them with TLC Tree, Shrub, and Landscape Food.
- Continue regular rose spraying and feeding with Bio Advanced All-In-One Rose & Flower Care.
- Apply Bonide Systemic Granules Insect Control now to prevent bagworms and tent caterpillars. If insects are present, spray with Cyonara Lawn & Garden.
- Be on alert for spider mite damage. Spray with Natria Neem Oil.
- Slugs, snails, and sowbugs (roly poly) are often active in May, use Sluggo Plus. Apply in the evening when pests are more active.
- Proper watering of newly planted trees and shrubs often means the difference between success and replacement.
- Lace bugs, aphids, spider mites, bagworms, cutworms, flea beetles, and other pests can start popping up in the landscape and garden later this month. Keep a close eye on all plants and bring samples of insects or damage to TLC Garden Centers for diagnosis.
May Gardening Checklist
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