May Garden Checklist

As warmer weather creeps in, many people find themselves spending more time outdoors and working in their yards. If you’re like me, you’ve probably made a trip or two to your local garden center looking for plants and other garden necessities. After reading over May’s garden checklist, it looks like you may need to make a few more trips. Here are some tasks to check off this month. 

1. Crape myrtles are extremely popular in the South. They come in a variety of colors and are a great addition to any landscape. Now is a great time to plant crape myrtles! Be sure to choose the right variety for your location. Extension Publication 2007, “Crapemyrtle – Flower of the South,” goes over everything from planting to pruning. 
2. May is a great time to plant annuals and perennials. Whether you want to add a pop of color to your flowerbeds or create container gardens, now is a good time to get things organized and planted. Check out Extension Publication 1826, “Annual & Perennial Flowers for Mississippi Gardens,” for resources on the top performing plants in Mississippi. 
3. Lawn maintenance is important during warmer months. For a healthy lawn, fertilize your turfgrass after it turns green and has been mowed twice. Consider taking a soil sample to give you recommendations specific to your lawn. Extension Publication 1322, “Establish and Manage Your Home Lawn,” goes into detail on how to have one of the best lawns in the neighborhood. 
4. Scout for pests and diseases in your garden and lawn. Be on the lookout for pests such as red spiders, aphids, lace bugs, and mealy bugs. Extension Publication 2331, “Control of Insect Pests in and Around the Home Lawn,” provides information on pest identification, management, and control. 
5. As soon as the flowers on azaleas, camellias, and gardenias fall, prune the plants before new buds form. Flower buds are formed the previous year so always remember to prune early in the spring. Information Sheet 204, “Pruning Landscape Plants,” may be a helpful resource for when it’s time to prune. 
6. If you haven’t already, plant cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, squash, peas, beans, eggplant, corn, okra, parsley, watermelons, and cantaloupes for your summer garden. The garden section of our website has information about a variety of topics related to vegetable gardens. Remember, you can contact your local Extension office for further guidance.

Did you know that cutting flowers for bouquets regularly will keep your plants pruned and prolong the blooming season? Be sure to cut your flowers, ideally in the morning, and immediately put them in water. Who doesn’t love a fresh bouquet in their home or office?! 

You can bookmark or print out the full garden calendar to help you stay on track. Our Extension agents are available if you have questions or need recommendations. 

Don’t forget to check out Southern Gardening on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more gardening tips and information! The Hort Hub Facebook Group is also a great resource for gardening info!