May Gardening Activities - Region 5
May Gardening Activities – Region 5
Rocky Mountain and California Mountain Gardens
States in this region include: Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho and California (Mountain).
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Pay attention to your perennial border. Now's the time to fertilize and divide your fall-blooming perennials.
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Plant tender bulbs like dahlias, cannas and elephant ears outdoors after all danger of frost has passed. Short on ground space? Plant tropicals in containers for enjoyment on decks and patios.
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Pinch back hardy mums every two weeks through mid-July. Remove one-third of the new growth each time to encourage bushier plants.
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It's time to stake your plants, especially taller flowering species and vegetables, before they start to flop. Use flexible ties to hold plants in place - don't tighten them like a tourniquet.
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Do your best to keep dreaded disease problems out of your garden this year - especially apple scab, powdery mildew and botrytis blight. Understanding the basics of the "disease triangle" can help you have a healthier garden in 2009!
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Make way for more vegetables or flowers in your garden with raised beds. They help conserve water, avoid possible drainage problems and give you an area to grow plants in fresh, nourishing soil. Another plus: You don't need to be a master builder to create your own!
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Beware of late frosts! Know the safe planting date for your area before planting any warm-season vegetables. (This can be 3-4 weeks after the last anticipated frost for your area.) If you've already got your plants in the ground, be prepared to protect them from unexpected frostbite.
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Deadhead spent flowers from spring-blooming bulbs and early perennials, including daffodils, tulips, crocus, candytuft and bleeding hearts. This will direct the energy back into the plant instead of wasting it on unnecessary seed production. Remember - allow the foliage of spring flowering bulbs to completely ripen (turn yellow) before removing.
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Keep your peonies from flopping - stake them as their new growth begins to elongate.
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Fertilize roses according to label directions for sturdier, healthier plants and blooms.
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Repot houseplants that may need it. If you haven't started to fertilize your indoor plants for the season, now's the time to start. Once nighttime temperatures stay consistently above 55 degrees F, you can safely move your houseplants outdoors for their summer vacation.
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Prune evergreens that need pruning now through July 4th. Late season pruning (after July 4th) can stimulate new growth that won't harden off before winter.
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Start a food garden. Plant warm-season vegetables like eggplant, tomatoes and squash in the garden after the last frost date has passed.
