So you’re ready to put your hands in the dirt! Just don’t be fooled by a late frost. Remember this is Minnesota and the mean frost date is May 15. Yes, the season is early this year, but be ready with sheets or newspaper to cover those tender annuals in case of a cold night. The merry, merry month of May is the busiest in the garden until September. Why not plan an edible garden too this year. Now is the time to plant beans, peas, broccoli, and cabbage, but wait to plant tomatoes and peppers. They like it warmer. You may like to plan a raised bed. They are easy to plant and tend, and even easier to harvest! We have one in front of the greenhouse on Penn Ave you may want to see. We plan to plant veggies there too and maybe a border of colored lettuces. Making me hungry already!
May is also the time to plant summer bulbs, like dahlia, lily, and gladiolus. Hint: plant some glad bulbs every week until July, then you will have a long continuous bloom time. Check your perennials too and see if you want to plant some new introductions.
Early annuals that can stand a cool night are pansies, snapdragons, dianthus, or petunia. The summer annuals will be better planted until after Mother’s Day. By the way, we have a lovely square white planter, full of diaries, lavender, and diamond dust for Mom or anyone! You too!
-Nola
