May Gardening Tasks

• Plant annuals among your perennials for a constant bloom.
   
• Apply fertilizer to lawn. Don't over apply, as the leaching of nitrogen into ground water can be a problem.
   
• Make sure your lawn mower's blade are sharp, dull blades will shred the grass rather giving is a clean cut, resulting in disease prone turf.  Also, sharp blade will reduce fuel usage.
   
• Replace lawn in shady areas with groundcovers.
   
• Wait until last frost to plat tomatoes, peppers, squash and cucumbers.
   
• Soak vegetable and annual seed in warm water overnight before planting to speed up germination.
   
• Deadhead spring bulbs but be sure to leave the green foliage until it turns yellow, bulbs depend on the food these provide for next season.
   
• Remember to water regularly newly planted hedging plants.
   
• Vigorous climbers can be tied gently onto their supports.
   
• Bedding plants can be hardened off prior to planting into open ground.
   
• Place stakes around peonies, they're quite top heavy, especially after rain and difficult to stake at that point.