Minnesota May Garden Guide

Spring is beginning to bloom in the Twin Cities area and it’s time to plant our summer gardens. The landscape is glowing with shades of green, trees are budding, and the neighborhood birds are singing happily each morning. May is such an uplifting month mentally with longer days and more sunshine, which equals more physical activity and time engaged with nature. Plus, there are beneficial microbes in soil that can increase the serotonin in your brain and can help relieve stress, depression, and improve mood.

• Plant a new native tree or shrub- refer to the University of Minnesota Extension website https://extension.umn.edu/how/planting-and-transplanting-trees-and-shrubs for detailed instructions on how to properly plant trees and shrubs, along with site selection tips.
• Turn your compost piles or start a new one.
• Start using a rain barrel- contact your county environmental agency to inquire if they sell for a discount. I got mine from Washington County for a minimal fee a few years ago.
• Buy a rain gauge and download the COCORAHS app to track rainfall as a citizen scientific participant. Only approved rain gauges allowed, so be sure to check their website first.
• You can now begin to clean up garden beds and amending with compost. The pollinators that have been over-wintering in these spots are waking up.
• Harden off seedlings.
• Buy your mother a hanging basket for Mother’s Day!
• Set up cages and trellis systems in the garden. Vertical gardening is a great way to maximize space. It also helps reduce disease by providing air flow within the plants. Plus I think it looks attractive in the garden.
• Finish planting potato tubers and onion sets.
• Harvest early crops such as chives and asparagus.
• Keep records and take pictures.
• Design fun planters filled with annuals.
• Shop local plant sales.
• Use the INaturalist app to document any vegetation, insect, or wildlife. Researchers love help from backyard citizen scientists.
• Set up a clothesline outdoors to air dry your laundry on nice days to save energy.

May Calendar

Flower: Lily-of-the-Valley

Stone: Emerald

Signs: Taurus & Gemini

1- Happy May Day

2-International Harry Potter Day

3- Kentucky Derby

4- Star Wars Day

5- Cinco De Mayo

6- Teacher Appreciation Day

7- Tourism Day

8- No Socks Day

9- Sleepover Day

10- Golf Day

11- Mother’s Day

12- Full Flower Moon

13- Frog Jumping Day

14- Dance Like a Chicken Day

15- Bring Flowers to Someone Day

16- BBQ Day

17- Armed Forces Day

18- World Baking Day

19- Plant Something Day

20- World Bee Day

21- Strawberries & Cream Day

22- Solitaire Day

23- Taffy Day

24- Asparagus Day

25- Wine Day

26- Memorial Day

27- Grapes Day

28- Brisket Day

29- Biscuit Day

30- Mint Julep Day

31- Macaroon Day

A dry May and a leaking June make the farmer whistle a merry tune