Sarah Ebeling | Managing Editor
Although the temperature the next few nights may dip below freezing, spring is right around the corner. For many, that means colorful flowerbeds and bountiful gardens that can all be grown at home.
And thankfully, growers don’t have to have a “green thumb” to be successful.
According to SDSU Extension Master Gardener Donna Rumbaugh, there is a specific list of do’s and don’ts when it comes to gardening in May.
She noted that houseplants can be moved outside once the nights remain above 50 degrees, but they need to get used to outside slowly.
For flowerbeds and other colorful, flowering areas, Rumbaugh suggests placing warm season annuals and summer bulbs such as dahlias and cannas out now.
Dead branches can also be cut on perennial flowers and other shrubs.
“Waiting until May to do this prevents disturbing pollinators. Also check on your spring bloomers. If they are done, clean them up as well,” Rumbaugh said.
She explained that now is the perfect time for adding supports to plants that will get tall and need support.
“Putting them out now allows the plants to hide the supports as they grow, and they will be more stable. Adding rings to peonies and sedum helps keep the flowers from laying on the ground,” she said.
As for the gardeners, Rumbaugh said that anyone who has planted beets should consider adding row covers to protect them from leaf miners.
Fan of rhubarb? Asparagus and rhubarb are coveted spring perennial foods and now they are in their prime.
“Harvest your rhubarb now. If you have too much, it is easy to freeze to use later,” said Rumbaugh.
She noted sweet potato slips can be planted now as well as green beans, sweet corn, pumpkins and melons.
“Also now is the time to put in your cool season veggies like beets, carrots, lettuce, chard and radishes,” she said.
Growers need to start hardening off their tomato plants to get them ready to go into the garden also.
Many seeds can be started indoors such as cucumber, cantaloupe, summer squash and watermelon.
Looking to purchase flowers, plants and other gardening items locally? Although there are not greenhouses in or around Crooks, Colton, Lyons or Humboldt, both Hartford Building Center and Sunshine in Hartford have a variety of flowers, plants and supplies for anyone looking to take to their yards this spring.