May-

Plant

• ​Plant annual flower seeds and annual transplants. Transplants enjoy a cloudy, calm day and prefer to be set out in late afternoon, protected from strong light and wind.
• Prune spring flowering trees and shrubs, if needed, after they bloom. Van Houten, spirea, lilac, forsythia and mock orange do best if oldest and largest canes at the base of the plant are removed.
• Dead head peonies.
• Pinch mums and asters until early July.
  
• ​​Read about helpful native plants, plants for birds and pollinators, and invasive species. Plant natives, plants for pollinators and remove invasive species.

Light Pruning and Care for Houseplants

• Stake or provide support for tall growing perennials or those that tend to flop. 
• Keep weeding and mulching. 
• Remember to nurture your houseplants by keeping their foliage clean and watering when dry. 

Fertilize and Mulch

• Pine needles, rotted sawdust, straw, and leaves make great mulch.​
• Wood ash will raise pH and can be used on roses, peonies, clematis and daffodils.
• Mulching flowerbeds improves soil texture. 
• Tip - if you want earthworms, mulch deeply.

Chores

• Remember to keep feeders and bird baths clean.
• Keep gardening tools clean and sharpened.  

Tips:  

• Clean your tools when you finish with one plant and before you move to the next.  
• Wear gloves for all of your gardening and yard chores;  protect your skin from sun, dirt, bugs, and poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac and other plant toxins.  ​

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Thanks to Suzanne Aiello who compiled these tips for the Dolley Madison Garden Club.