KEEP THE GARDEN IN SHAPE IN MAY

gardenandgem, Updated: 1 min read551 views
How to keep the garden in shape in May here in Texas? It’s very rarely under 80℉ (26-27℃) daytime here on the east coast of Texas now in the late spring/early summer. And the temperatures are continually rising. The impact it has on both ornamental plants, trees and in the vegetable garden makes it challenging.

That doesn’t change the fact that its a lot you can do in the garden to keep the plants in shape and lush looking. You can still manage to keep the most of the spring-flowering plants alive and kickin’ for some weeks more.

  • Make sure that there is enough mulch around the plants to keep the soil cooler, keep it moist and to suppress weed.
  • Prune unsightly growth, wilted flowers and seedheads.
  • Water newly planted shrubs, trees and flowers. Keep the soil moist but not wet.
  • Cut lawn edges straight with a sharp spade. That makes the whole garden look a lot tidier at once.
  • Tie up plants that threaten to tip over or a top-heavy. Cut back long and untidy side shots if you need.
  • Look out for fungal diseases, aphids and other damaging insects.
perennials and annuals
Smaller plants and shrubs are thriving where the big shrubs froze back in the winter.
Mildew Zinnia
Mildew has started to cover the Zinnias. I guess I could use some herbicide, but it’s simpler and cheaper to just rip them up and throw them out of the garden. New ones will sprout!
cucumber and tomatoes
Keep the vegetable garden watered and look out for spider mites. You can keep them at bay with water showers on the leaves on the cucumbers.

Springwork Canna
Seedpods and wilted flowers removed from Canna and Agapanthus.

 

Pink canna
Keep the Canna looking good!

Read more about taking care of Canna here and a Canna holiday clean up here. Some more about summer garden in subtropical climate here.