• As spring bulbs finish blooming, remove flower stalks before they set seed.
• Early in the month harden off tomato and pepper transplants for about a week before planting them in the garden.
• They can be planted without frost protection after May 15.
• Plant tomatoes deep to encourage a good root system.
• Plant heat loving vegetables as the soil warms: beans, corn, cucumbers, melons, okra, squash and sweet potatoes.
• Place plant supports now: tomato cages or stakes, peony and perennial hoops.
• Consider using tomato cages for pepper plants as well.
• As roses leaf out begin a spray regimen to control insects and diseases.
• Roses can be fed once a month from May till July.
• after they finish blooming.
• Fertilize azaleas and rhododendrons after they bloom.
• Gladiola corms can be planted now.
• Plant them in two week intervals for extended bloom throughout the summer.
• The lawn can be fertilized this month.
• Keep the mower blades sharpened so blades of grass are cut and not ripped.
• Cut the lawn at least 3 inches high to discourage weeds.
• Weed killers can be applied if needed. Landscape pests to watch for: sawfly larvae on pines, birch leaf miner, small bagworms on evergreens, aphids on roses, and tent caterpillars on fruit trees.
• Water gardens may have algea blooms before the pond plants leaf out fully.
• Once the plants start growing this should subside.
• Algacides are available if necessary.
• Water plants can be divided, repotted and fertilized.
• Begin feeding fish a spring formula.

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