May in the Garden | The Prelude to Summer!

Alyce Peterson
May 1
2 min read

May is one of the most rewarding months in the garden. The soil is warm, the days are longer, and everything seems to be growing overnight. A little attention now will set you up for a productive and beautiful summer.

Stay Ahead of Weeds

Weeds love the same warm conditions as your plants, so don’t let them get the upper hand. Pull them while they’re young and before they go to seed. A layer of mulch can help suppress new growth and keep soil moisture consistent.

Plant Your Summer Vegetables

Now is the time to get your warm-season crops into the ground. In Zone 9, May is perfect for planting:

Tomatoes
Peppers
Squash
Cucumbers
Beans
Melons

Make sure they’re planted in full sun with well-amended soil for best results.

Support Growing Plants

Many summer crops grow quickly and need structure early. Add cages, stakes, or trellises now—before plants get too large. Tomatoes, cucumbers, and beans will all benefit from extra support, improving airflow and making harvesting easier.

Keep Your Roses Rosy!

May is prime time for rose growth—and unfortunately, for common issues like powdery mildew and black spot. Check leaves regularly for:

White, powdery coating (mildew)
Black or dark spots with yellowing leaves (black spot)

Remove affected leaves promptly and dispose of them (don’t compost). Make sure your roses have good air circulation, and water at the base rather than overhead. If needed, a light preventative treatment can help keep plants healthy and blooming beautifully.

Cut Back Herbaceous Plants & Perennials

Spring growth can get a little wild this time of year. Lightly cutting back herbaceous plants and perennials helps:

Encourage bushier, more compact growth
Prevent flopping later in the season
Promote additional blooms

Focus on trimming spent flowers and tidying up leggy growth. Plants like salvia, penstemon, and coreopsis respond especially well to a gentle May haircut.

Inspect for Pests

Keep a close eye on your plants as they take off. Aphids, whiteflies, and caterpillars can appear quickly this time of year. Check the undersides of leaves and new growth regularly. Early detection makes control much easier—often a strong spray of water or a gentle treatment is enough.

Check Your Irrigation System

With warmer temperatures arriving, your plants will need more consistent watering. Take time to:

Inspect drip lines and emitters
Look for leaks or clogs
Adjust watering schedules for longer, warmer days. As it heats up, consider watering earlier or adding water to the lawn before the sun goes down (to prevent burning or too much evaporation).

Efficient irrigation now helps avoid stress later in the season.

May is all about momentum. A little care and consistency this month will reward you with a thriving, productive garden as summer approaches. Happy gardening!