(for the Pacific Northwest)

Planning:

• Before planting in clay pots, pre-soak them in a wheelbarrow of water for 5 or 10 minutes. If you plant in terra-cotta when it is dry, it wicks moisture from the soil and the new plantings

Planting:

• Best dates for transplanting by the moon cycles:
  May 12 – 23
• Best dates for sowing seeds by the moon cycles:
  May 3 & 4, 13 – 15, 30 & 31
• Set out dahlias after the last frost date
• Plant gladiolus corms beginning early this month
• Finish dividing summer and fall-blooming perennials
• Start planting tender annuals outdoors after the last frost date

 Maintenance:

• Weed your beds thoroughly before they get out of hand
• Make sure all winter mulches are removed by the beginning of the month
• Top off summer mulch in beds where levels have dropped below 2”
• Rake beds that have ample mulch to prevent matting
• Keep watering transplants and new plants frequently
• Fertilize roses if you didn’t feed them earlier
• Stake peonies, delphiniums, and tall phlox early
• Deadhead rhododendron blooms, this will direct the plants energy toward producing flower buds for next year rather than seeds