May Newsletter 2025
Spring in to Garden Life
“Oh, the month of May, the merry month of May. So frolic, so joyous and so green, so green, so green!”
May To Dos..
May is finally here and with it comes the full bloom of Spring! The weather is warming up and the gardens are ready to show off their beauty. This month is all about nurturing, planting and ensuring everything is healthy and ready to thrive through the Summer.
-Fertilizing: We are starting the month with fertilizing everything! We have been working on soil testing our properties to truly customize for each client and give the soil what it really needs.
-Planting Summer Color: We will have a full moon mid month. Typically this is the last chance of frost, this is very early this year. There are two considerations when planting annuals- the chance of frost and the soil temperature. We plan to plant annuals the last week of May to assure the plants thrive!
-Dividing: We are dividing perennials to guarantee health and longevity before they have too much growth.
-Vegetable Garden Prep: If you’ve been waiting to start a veggie bed, now is the time. We can help you plant your veggies to enjoy through the Summer months.
-Pest Management: With warmer months comes an increase of garden pests.
-Weeding: Weeds are already starting to poke out their little heads!
Winter Burn in Rhododendrons and
Other Broadleaf Evergreens
One of the most common issues broadleaf evergreens face in winter is winter burn, primarily caused by moisture loss. During the colder months—especially when the ground is frozen—plants can’t absorb enough water to stay hydrated.
🌱 Helpful Tips
Water deeply and regularly, particularly during dry spells. Evergreens, in particular, benefit from longer watering sessions.
Mulch around the base of affected plants to insulate roots and help retain soil moisture.
Shield plants from harsh elements like high winds and intense sun with anti-desiccant sprays such as Wilt-Pruf.
As spring approaches and you see new growth along stems, remove dead leaves and prune off any dead branches to encourage healthy development.
Compost
Now is the perfect time to start composting! There are several benefits to start a home compost:
Reduces Waste: Composting diverts organic waste from landfills, keeping it out of the waste stream. Helps reduce the overall waste your household produces.
Reduces Greenhouse Gases: When organic waste decomposes in landfills, it produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Composting, on the other hand, breaks down organic material aerobically (with oxygen), which results in fewer harmful emissions.
Creates Nutrient-Rich Soil: Compost is an excellent natural fertilizer. It improves soil structure, moisture retention, and adds vital nutrients. This can be used in your garden to grow healthier plants, flowers, or vegetables.
Promotes Healthy Ecosystems: Composting supports soil biodiversity. Healthy, well-balanced soil teems with microbes, fungi, and insects that support plant growth. By composting, you're helping to build and maintain these healthy ecosystems.
Reduces Need for Chemical Fertilizers: By using compost in your garden, you can reduce or even eliminate the need for chemical fertilizers. This leads to healthier, more sustainable gardening practices.
Teaches Sustainability: Composting is a great way to adopt a more sustainable lifestyle. It encourages you to think about your waste and consumption habits and can inspire more eco-friendly choices in other areas of your life.
Starting composting can seem like a small step, but its impact on reducing waste and enriching soil can be significant! Plus, it's a rewarding practice to see your kitchen scraps and yard waste transform into something useful.
If you are looking for more information, follow this link to learn more!
Plant of the Month🌿
Bleeding Heart, is an erect, spring to early summer-blooming, herbaceous perennial. This plant grows best in the morning sun with afternoon shade and is tolerant to heavy and partial shade.
Consider the bleeding heart for a cutting or woodland garden, a shade border, or use it as a filler plant. Combine the bleeding heart with other plants such as ferns and hostas that will be thriving and full as the bleeding heart goes dormant.
We hope everyone enjoys their sunny Spring days and please reach out with any questions!
-The Garden Life Team
April Photos
