What To Do In Your Southern California Garden In May

Wow, May is an amazing month! There is so much blooming, and so many fun outdoor activities. The weather looks like it is going to be fabulous this weekend, with hopes of many more stellar weekend to get things done. At the risk of repeating myself, I’ve decided that I’m going to start putting planning as number one on my list again. I think it is so important in everything that you do, and a garden is no exception.

 1. Planning, planning, planning. If you haven’t begun planning your garden – get cracking!

2. Vegetables - May is an excellent time to transplant warm-season vegetable seedlings. If you didn’t get your tomatoes during April… this would be the time. Don’t forget that they need support, so make sure you add your favorite type of support at the same time that you plant. (If you need a refresher take a look at my blog post on how to growtomatoes). 

3. Perennials - The local nurseries are getting some amazing summer and fall blooming perennials in almost on a daily basis. Make sure to visit often for the best selections of iris, gaillardia, penstemons, pentas, coreopsis, gaura, salvia and pentas. I buy my iris, day lily, cannas, clivia and more from Greenwood Day Lily Gardens but the nurseries are full of plenty of other beauties. I even saw some Echinacea in 6 packs when I was at Green Thumb this week

4. Color - If you add annuals to your garden, the nurseries are getting some new arrivals, have fun deciding what you would like then start…


5. Planting, planting, planting! Veggies, perennial, annuals, shrubs…tis the season!



 6. Pruning - Spring-flowering shrubs and vines can be pruned while they are blooming or just after they finish. Ceanothus, Carolina Jessamine, Hardenbergia.. You can also prune any of the subtropical shrubs like Princess Flower and Hibiscus that become leggy.

7. Try Something New! Would you like some unusual fruit trees in your garden? This is a good time to plant some subtropical fruit trees. Papaya Tree Nursery in Granada Hills is a great place to find what you can’t find elsewhere. Passion fruit, figs, cherimoya, papayas and more. Tell Alex I sent you!

8. . Bulbs You can continue planting fall blooming bulbs too, have fun picking them out of online or paper catalogs. Yes… I think I’ll end this with bulb planning. Can’t have too much planning now can we?


Speaking of planning, mark your calendar. Thursday May 24, 2012 – 3:30 PDT Artists, Designers, and Things O My! Blog Talk Radio Show I’m going to be the featured designer! The show is all about, people who are passionate about what they do and who can share their experiences on where they are today. Artists, Designers, Architects, Painters, Actors, and others. Please join us live or listen to it in archive! Here is a link to the show.

 If you would like help beautifying your life, think about creating a garden with me. You can call me at 661-917-3521, contact me via email at julie@thegrassisalwaysgreener.net or visit my website