Different USDA (or Swedish Fuchsia Society) zones require different chores for May.
Gardeners living in USDA Zones 6 through 11(or in the European equivalent) have an assortment of jobs to do now.
- Prune flowering shrubs after flowers begin to fade. Don’t be squeamish. This will promote new healthy growth and improve the general health of the plant.
- Continue pinching back flowers until mid-June. This will give you more blooms which will be more uniform in size.
- Deadhead and remove fading leaves from spring-blooming plants. These can harbor insects or, more probably fungi, which can then infest the entire plant.
- Take softwood cuttings (or layered cuttings) from trees and shrubs to make new plants. Use a rooting hormone before replanting. Also make sure the tools you use are sterile.
- Remove any fruit that has fallen beneath trees. This prevents insects from taking up residence there and laying eggs. It also keeps hungry animals from being attracted to the area.
- Look under rose leaves. Rose slugs love to hide here, and they can cause serious damage to your roses.
- Check for infestations of scale on euonymus and pachysandra.
- You can now move houseplants outside.
- In lower zones (6 and 7) plant tomatoes outside now. In higher zones (2-5), make sure your tomatoes are kept watered.
- In zones 8 -11, your tomatoes should be already in the ground.
- Remember to mulch all your plants. This helps retain moisture, discourages weeds, and keeps the soil at a more constant temperature.
- Sterilize your pruning shears often.
- Attend gardening seminars and lectures at local nurseries.
