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MAY TIPS
Dead-head tulips.
Mow grass when it reaches 3-4 inches. Set the mower to 2 1/2 to 3 inches.
Hold off mulching until the soil is warm.
Plant lettuce, beans, corn and carrots.
Plant tomatoes when the lilacs bloom. Sprinkle a teaspoon of Epsom salts into the hole where they go to provide magnesium.
Plant marigolds, zinnias and nasturtiums in and around vegetables and flower beds to repel insects. Plant gladiolas at 2 week intervals.
It's time to weed dandelions, before they flower and set seed.
Fertilize any bulbs that are up.
Stake peonies and other tall growing plants before they get too big.
Cut back tall perennials like bee balm and phlox to control height.
Harvest rhubarb by grabbing it at the base of the stalk and pulling firmly away from the crown, twisting just a bit. Be sure to throw the leaves into the compost as they are poisonous. Prune spring blooming shrubs just as soon as the flowers have faded. Deadhead lilacs. Check lilies for red lily leaf beetles. Dispose of them by crushing them.
Don't forget to deadhead bulbs as well. Leave the foliage, but take out the spent flower heads. Slugs chewing the hostas? Combine 9 parts water to common household ammonia and spray it on just before dark. When the slugs hit this, they will dissolve.
Check apple, cherry, and other fruit trees for tent caterpillars. As soon as the tender new leaves emerge so will the caterpillars. If you have to spray with insecticide do it after bloom is finished to protect the bees.
- Plant annuals no sooner than May 30th.
Maine Vegetable Gardening: Keep Your Garden Growing - Plant From Spring To Fall
| Early Spring | Midspring | Early Summer | Midsummer to Fall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plant as soon as the ground can be worked | Plant two weeks before the average last frost date | Plant when soil & sun are warm | Plant in late June-early July |
| PLANTS | PLANTS | PLANTS | PLANTS |
| Broccoli Cabbage | Cauliflower | Eggplant Pepper Tomato | Beet Broccoli Carrot Cauliflower Lettuce Radish |
| SEEDS | SEEDS | SEEDS | SEEDS |
| Endive Lettuce Onion Sets Pea Radish Spinach Turnip | Beet Carrot Onion Sets Parsnips Swiss Chard | Cucumber Lima Beans Melon Okra Pumpkin Squash Winter Potatoes | Beet Broccoli Carrot Cauliflower Lettuce Radish |
| Plant 1 Week Later | Plant In Early August | ||
| Bean Corn Early Potatoes | Broccoli * Cabbage * Cauliflower * SEEDS: Lettuce Spinach Turnip &nsbp; Plant 10 Weeks Before Last Frost SEEDS: Beet Carrot |
*Plants are set out later than seeds as sown because hot weather is not favorable for growth
| Planting Seeds Indoors | Weeks To Sow Indoors Before Last Frost | Weeks To Germination | Set Out Transplants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broccoli | 5-7 | 1-2 | After frost, late summer |
| Brussel Sprouts | 4-6 | 1-2 | After frost, late summer |
| Cabbage | 5-8 | 1-2 | After frost, late summer |
| Cauliflower | 5-8 | 1-2 | After frost, late summer |
| Cucumbers | 2-3 | 1-2 | 2 weeks after frost |
| Eggplant | 8-9 | 2-3 | Midspring, early summer |
| Leeks | 10-12 | 2-3 | Mid to late spring |
| Head Lettuce | 3-5 | 2-3 | After frost |
| Onions | 6-8 | 2-3 | After frost |
| Peppers | 8-10 | 1-2 | Mid to late spring |
| Tomatoes | 6-8 | 2-3 | Mid to late spring |