May Landscaping Checklist

Flowers

• Remove spent flowers and foliage (once yellowed) on spring flowering.
• Plant tender annuals after the last expected frost date, approximately May 15.
• Set flower supports early. Let plants grow through them.
• Over-wintered tender annuals or tropicals such as hibiscus, gardenia, mandevilla and geranium may be pruned, cleaned, fertilized and gradually introduced to a protected location outdoors once night temperatures reach 50°F.
• Begin pinching top 1-2 inches of new growth on chrysanthemums to encourage full bushy plants.
• Prune sage, butterfly bush, Russian sage and Caryopteris back to the point of new growth.
• With sharp spade, edge flower beds.

Lawn

• Fertilize with a slow-release nitrogen fertilizer and apply a broadleaf herbicide for weed control.
• Make sure you are mowing at the proper height.  Never remove more than 1/3 of the turf height at one time.  We recommend keeping your grass at a length of approximately 3”.
• Re-seed or repair damaged turf areas. Keep newly seeded or sodded turf areas well watered.

Trees/Shrubs  

• Prune spring flowering shrubs right after they are done flowering.  These plants use the growing season to develop next year’s flowers, so pruning them late in the season will prune off next year’s blooms!  These include:  Forsythia, lilac, viburnum, fothergilla, kerria, mockorange and weigela.
• Start monitoring your plants for pest infestations. Insects in moderation are a natural and necessary part of the environment, but excessive groups of them or excessive damage from them sometimes warrants treatment.  Contact your landscape professional for identification and a treatment plan.
• Apply systemic insecticides to trees and shrubs (for example birch & viburnums) prone to borer right after they are done blooming.
• It’s still a good time to apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer to shrubs and perennials.

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