May is the perfect time to plant warm-season vegetables and flowers, as the soil has warmed and the risk of frost has passed. It’s also ideal for weeding, mulching, and keeping an eye out for early pests. Read on for more gardening tips!

Plant Doctor Quips

Nick Macaluso, Plant Doctor at our Pyramid Way store, explains, “By now your drip system should be up and running, but it is a great idea to make sure that it is effectively emitting water to all of your plants. Checking the schedule of your drip system is also a great idea. Plants prefer to be watered for a long duration infrequently, giving them a day of rest in between watering is highly recommended. I recommend that most in-ground plants are watered three or four days a week for an hour in the morning. The only thing that changes from plant to plant is the size and quantity of emitters, (2) 2 GPH for trees, (2) 1 GPH for shrubs and (1) 1 GPH for perennials, (1) ½ GPH for annuals/veggies. This is just a good rule of thumb and you should keep an eye on your plants for signs of stress. The best thing you can do to help with water retention is mulching, three inches of SBC around your plants will help the soil retain moisture and it can even help keep the area cool in the summer. Potted plants may need to be watered more frequently depending on the size of the pot, soil texture, and sun exposure. A proper watering schedule is crucial for a plant’s survival, if you ever have questions please come into one of our locations and ask a plant doctor.“

Steve Packer, Plant Doctor at our S. Virginia store, says, “To grow the best tomatoes consider the following 4 points: deep planting, soil preparation, mulching and staking/caging. Bury tomato stems deeper in the ground, up to the first set of leaves, to encourage more robust root systems. Amend the soil with organic matter and fertilizer that has added calcium to provide needed nutrients to prevent blossom end rot. Add mulch around the tomato plant to conserve moisture and moderate soil temperature. At the time of planting provide a support system such as a tomato cage or stake to prevent sprawling and to improve air flow.”

Jeni Ware, Plant Doctor at our S. Virginia store, says, “Having a vegetable garden can be very satisfying but also challenging. For the heat-loving veggies like tomatoes and peppers using the Walls of Water, Dalen Insulated Plant Protector, can help you sleep at night. Even though it’s May, the weather can still be dicey with our unpredictable night temperatures. The tubes of water form mini-greenhouses that take the solar heat from the day and transfer it to the soil to protect that root area at night and also forms a wind barrier as well.“

Bird Nerd, Annemarie Tillotson explains, “Feeding fruit and nectar is the best way to keep orioles and hummingbirds around. Unfortunately, sugary nectar tends to attract ants as well. To avoid ants clogging up your feeder, purchase a feeder with an ant moat. These moats (small cups filled with water) will act as a barricade between the ants and nectar. For especially persistent ants coat the feeder hanging mechanism in a bird safe ant repellent.“

Rob Bouck, from our Moana Lane store, explains, “A small garden space does not necessarily mean reduced yields. To maximize a garden’s potential, many of us in Northern Nevada turn to companion planting. Companion planting, or the planting of different crops in close proximity to one another, can result in increased pollination, pest control, weed suppression, creation of shade, increased soil nutrition, and maximum produce production. As an example, the best companion plants or “friends” for tomatoes include basil, peppers, carrots, parsley, borage and onions. Likewise, onions, basil, coriander and tomatoes are all good plant companion friend choices for peppers. Conversely, some companion planting combinations actually compete for soil nutrients, negatively affect flavor, crowd their companions or inhibit growth. By way of example, tomatoes and corn can compete for the same nutrients; onions planted near asparagus, peas and beans may negatively affect their flavor. Also, zucchini and pumpkins often rapidly spread and crowd other plants. Finally, carrots and dill can cross-pollinate, resulting in stunted carrot growth. At Moana Nursery, our experienced sales teammates are eager to help you in your garden plant selection and placement, assist in identifying your best-fit planting “friends”,  ensuring your 2025 growing season is the best ever.“

May
Moana Nursery High Desert Gardening
Timely Tips

  • Continue to monitor nighttime temperatures. Sudden last-minute changes to below freezing temperatures can cause a great deal of damage. Be prepared to cover tender plants.
  • Water at optimum time – when winds are calm and temperatures are cool – early in the morning.
  • Water deeply and less often – saturate root zones and let the soil dry to encourage strong, deep roots.
  • Fertilize perennials, shrubs & trees if not done so already.
  • Clean ponds and add bacteria supplements such as Pond Perfect to keep the pond balanced and algae-free.
  • Turn and activate the compost pile with water, garden soil, Fertilome Compost Maker and any organic fertilizer.
  • Mow lawn at 3 to 4 inches, removing no more than one-third of the leaf blade.
  • If you haven’t already done so, fertilize your lawn with G&B Organics Lawn Fertilizer.
  • Continue to kill cheatgrass and other weeds with Bonide KleenUp HE® Weed & Grass Killer.
  • To control aphids, start with Ladybugs and a hose. (See life cycle of ladybugs so that you don’t inadvertently kill off their eggs, larvae or pupae.) If infestation is great, use Fertilome Triple Action Plus, Bonide Tomato & Vegetable Spray. Fertilome Rose & Flower Food Plus Systemic can also be used on all ornamentals.
  • Plant warm-season flowering annuals, vines, herbs and vegetables with G&B Organics Starter Fertilizer and a handful of Worm-Gro with each plant. Pinch back 1/3 of new growth to encourage stocky habit (except vines and vegetables).  Wait two weeks before feeding newly planted annuals with anything other than starter fertilizer.
  • Treat broadleaf weeds in lawn and garden now with Bonide Weed Beater Ultra or Bonide Weed Beater Complete.
  • Put your Rescue yellow jacket traps out now.
  • Apply 3 inches of G&B Organics Soil Building Conditioner around plants to conserve moisture, moderate soil temperatures, and reduce weeds. Keep mulch 3” away from trunks of trees and plants.
  • Very important: remove tree stakes and ties from trees & shrubs planted a year ago or longer.
  • Knock back suckers and sprouts from roots around ornamental and fruit trees with Bonide Sucker Punch. Use the brush top applicator while pruning out water shoots from plum trees.
  • Prevent nuisance fruit on ornamental trees & shrubs with Monterey Florel® Brand Growth Regulator.
  • Continue to inspect trees and shrubs for insect and disease problems; treat immediately with appropriate product.
  • Prune and fertilize spring-flowering shrubs (forsythia, lilacs, quince, almond, viburnum, magnolias, rhododendrons, azaleas) immediately after they bloom. 
  • Gently pull off dried flowers of azaleas and rhododendrons, taking care not to break sticky, new shoots located at the base of the flowers. This is a great time to fertilize with G&B Organics Blueberry, Azalea & Camellia Fertilizer (aka Rhododendron, Azalea & Camellia Fertilizer) and mulch with G&B Organics Acid Planting Mix.
  • Break off half of each elongated bud (candle) by hand on mugo pines to maintain compact form.
  • Begin to harden off warm-season transplants, moving them into a shaded area for 14 days and gradually increasing their exposure to direct sun. Bring them in at night if the temperatures fall below 40 degrees. Once properly hardened, they can be transplanted out in the garden, usually by mid-May. 
  • Spread several inches of G&B Organics Purely Compost or G&B Organics Harvest Supreme on vegetable and herb beds. Use as a mulch and/or continue to use as an amendment while you are still planting. For increased resistance to pests add a layer of G&B Organics Worm-Gro under the mulch and a handful to every new planting.
  • Place Monterey Codling Moth Traps in apple trees now – 1 per tree in an easily accessible location. When trap reveals several moths, spray tree with Captain Jack’s Deadbug Brew. Since codling moths produce up to 4 generations (one every 6 weeks), it’s important to install a new trap and repeat spraying every 6 weeks for continued fruit protection.

Plant corn, tomatoes, snap beans, summer squash and herbs with G&B Organics Starter Fertilizer.

  • Continue to plant new perennials, ornamental grasses & roses. Consider new plantings for birds and pollinators. 
  • Stake tall perennials before they reach 6 inches.
  • Begin to regularly pinch back fall-blooming perennials – mums, asters & tall sedums; pinch weekly until mid-July to promote stocky growth.
  • Remove dead vines and begin to direct new growth onto their supports. Encourage climbing roses to develop lateral, flower-bearing canes.
  • Deadhead (remove blooms) spring bulbs once they’ve finished flowering but allow foliage to wither completely before removing.
  • Stake peonies to support blooms when they reach 10” in height.
  • Plant summer bulbs like dahlias, gladiolus and lilies with G&B Organics Rose, Flower & Bulb Fertilizer.
  • Treat emerging lily shoots and other plants with Plantskydd if rabbits and deer have been a problem.
  • Monitor all annual plantings in containers and window boxes.  On windy days, hanging baskets will require water every day. Use Monterey® Nutra-Gel Fertilizer and Water Retainer in hanging baskets and containers that dry out quickly.
  • Continue pinching back fall-blooming perennials – mums, asters & tall sedums; pinch weekly until mid-July to promote stocky growth.
  • Continue to direct perennial vines on their supports.  Encourage climbing roses to develop lateral, flower-bearing canes.
  • Gradually move houseplants outside to protected areas. Place large house plants potted in plastic into larger, heavier pots to keep them from falling over in the wind. Do not expose to afternoon sun. Monitor regularly for pests.
  • Use G&B Organics Worm-Gro as a natural insecticide. Make a little room on top of the roots to top dress with a thin layer of worm castings, then a layer of G&B Organics Blue Ribbon Potting Mix and water in. This benefits plants by increasing resistance to insects and disease and increases water retention for potted plants.
  • Prune and fertilize overwintered tender plants like hibiscus, gardenia & geranium with Neptune’s Harvest Organic Fish & Seaweed Liquid Fertilizer. Take outside once night temps are 40 degrees or warmer.Move citrus trees (Meyer’s lemon, etc.) outside when night-time temperatures are above 45 degrees. Fertilize with G&B Organics Citrus & Fruit Tree Fertilizer.
  • Continue to feed houseplants remaining indoors with Fertilome Houseplant Hero Fertilizer according to the directions, adding SUPERthrive (1 drop per cup or ¼ tsp. per gallon of water) every time you water.
  • Hummingbirds have arrived & orioles will begin appearing any day.  Now’s the time to put out oranges and grape jelly for orioles and WBU Hummingbird and Oriole Nectar for both hummingbirds and orioles. Be sure to change the sugar water every few days so it doesn’t spoil. Change fruit slices every day.
  • Continue to supply fresh water and change it every 3-5 days to keep it clean. To prevent the chance of disease, clean birdbath weekly with a weak bleach solution and rinse well. 
  • Install a customized Wild Birds Unlimited bird feeding station where you can easily watch the birds it attracts.  It can be installed in the ground or on a deck.
  • Are you seeing young bird families or nesting behavior?  We can help identify birds in your yard and help you select all the supplies to help them thrive.
  • Offer Nesting Blend, WBU Bark Butter Cake or Bits, Peanut Butter n’ Jelly Suet Dough and Mealworms to provide the extra calcium & protein needed during nesting and molting season.
  • Clean all bird feeders with hot soapy water and a bleach solution of 1-part bleach to 10 parts water.  Rinse and thoroughly dry before refilling.  Feeders should be cleaned and bleached every 2-3 months to prevent disease from spreading and to keep feeders in good condition.
  • Our Seasonal Color Team can help you with custom containers, annual planting beds or a simple refresh of your existing garden. Schedule a free consultation today!
  • Need help with your indoor plants? Contact our Interior Plant Services team. They can help you design, install, and maintain your indoor plants! Want a WOW plant presentation? Ask about installing a LIVING PLANT WALL! Examples of plant walls are available to see at both our Moana Lane and Pyramid Way locations.
  • Our expert Plant Doctors can help you with your high desert gardening;
    • Diagnose disease & insect problems on trees, shrubs & lawns;
    • Identify existing plants in your landscape and how to care for them;
    • Provide plant placement for DIY customers.
    • Stop by any location to ask questions or email plantdoctor@moananursery.com.
    • Please note on-sight consultations will not be available from April 17 – June 2, 2025.