Spring has finally come, and not only because we want it, but because everything around us shows that it has indeed come. The weather has warmed up for good, the sunny days are many and it really is God’s joy, everything around us is green now. So let’s celebrate it with flowers, not only on May Day but every day.
The hard work you’ve all put in so far preparing your spring garden is starting to pay off. The microcosm of your garden or terrace has started to become greener and greener, some first flowers are making their appearance and you can now enjoy their care even more under the warm rays of the sun. So let’s see which jobs you should not skip this month.
The Good Gardener in May
Indoor plants
The plants you brought indoors for the winter must return to the balcony. Do it gradually and avoid leaving them directly in the sun, its rays are already very hot and can burn the leaves of your plant.
Take the pots with the seeds you just planted or that you simply haven’t transplanted yet to the balcony. Place them somewhere they will be protected from the midday sun and transplant them once they reach the 4-leaf stage.
If you have leftover seeds, seal them tightly in airtight containers or in aluminum foil that you will close with selotape to keep them fresh for the year. Leftover vegetable seeds are best kept in an airtight container on a shelf in your refrigerator.
The nurseries are now full of annuals, already blooming and countless perennials. Take a walk in time, the variety is huge.
Also, the prices are usually very attractive and it is worth shopping there. On top of that, the people at the booths are more than happy to recommend plants for your space as well as plenty of instructions on how to care for them.
If you need to repot any of your plants as soon as you can. When the weather warms up it would be good to avoid changes in order not to stress the plant.
It is also your last chance to prune plants that have grown unevenly to enhance their growth and make their image more “full”.
Gradually increase the lubrication, within this month you should be lubricating with the normal doses and the usual frequency.
Once flowering is over, you should fertilize your azaleas. Be careful with thinning because their roots are superficial and may burn if the fertilizer is too much.
Now that the weather is getting warmer and the patio doors are left open longer, you’re dusting off the leaves of your plants more often.
Spray your plants with water to increase humidity.
Plants on the balcony
If you need to repot any of your plants as soon as you can. When the weather warms up it would be good to avoid changes in order not to stress the plant.
It is also your last chance to prune plants that have grown unevenly to enhance their growth and make their image more “full”.
After flowering, prune spring flowering plants such as wisteria/wisteria and climbing roses.
Take one last look at the climbing plants, if you need to prune a little more aggressively or correct anything else, do it now, before new growth appears. increase watering.
Gradually increase the lubrication, within this month you should be lubricating with the normal doses and the usual frequency.
Increase fertilization on rose bushes
Also check often for spider mites (it looks like spider webs that wrap around fresh leaves and dry them out) which will appear as the weather starts to get drier and warmer. The spider mite can do a lot of damage to your plants and mainly (but not only) attacks roses and jasmine. If not treated in time, it is very likely to spread to your other plants.
Collect the fallen leaves that have collected in the pots so that there are no foci of disease and insects. For the same reason, cut off all injured branches as soon as you spot them.
Also, immediately pull out any weeds that have grown in your pots. Having weeds in pots is a prime refuge for harmful insects.
Spring flowering bulbs are coming to an end and their leaves will start to turn yellow.
Cut off the last flowers as soon as they wilt, give a final fertilizing with a balanced general purpose fertilizer and allow the leaves to dry completely before digging up the bulbs.
Plants in the garden
After flowering, prune spring flowering plants such as wisteria/wisteria and climbing roses.
Take one last look at the climbing plants, if you need to prune a little more aggressively or correct anything else, do it now, before new growth appears.
As soon as you notice new growth gradually