May is the perfect time to prep your garden for summer. Plant, protect, and savor the season with fresh herbs, blooms, and sunny vibes.
Let’s make this May your most abundant month yet! 🌞🌱
🌱 Prepare Your Garden for a Vibrant May
It’s transition time—spring is waving goodbye, and summer is warming up. Your garden needs a little love to keep up.
Soil Refresh & Organic Fertilizers
- Test your soil if possible—your local plants will thank you.
- Add organic compost or natural fertilizers to boost long-term nutrition.
- A generous layer of mulch helps retain moisture and blocks the weed parade.
Pruning and Watering Tips for Warmer Days
- Snip away spent blooms and wild growth—your plants will focus on new shoots.
- Double-check your irrigation: adjust your watering schedule to avoid over- or under-watering.
🧤 Bonus: Keep an eye out for sneaky pests. Neem oil and homemade garlic sprays are your new besties.
🌼 What to Plant in May: Veggies, Flowers, and Herbs
May is the golden window for planting sun-loving crops and blooms that’ll carry you into summer.
Best Vegetables to Plant in May
- 🍅 Tomatoes, 🥒 cucumbers, 🫑 bell peppers, and green beans are ready to go!
- Direct sow fast growers like radishes and lettuces for a bonus early harvest.
Flower Picks for Continuous Color
- Go bold with marigolds, petunias, and zinnias. These sun worshippers thrive all season.
- Choose native varieties—they’re hardy, gorgeous, and low-maintenance.
Sun-Loving Culinary Herbs
- Plant basil, thyme, oregano, and rosemary in sunny corners or containers.
- Bonus tip: pinch off basil blooms to keep leaves lush and flavorful.
🍃 A Quick Story from My Garden (and My Străbunica)
Growing up, we had this huge, proud leuștean plant (lovage, for the non-Romanians 🥲) right next to the house. It had been there forever—like, I’m pretty sure my străbunica (great-grandmother) planted it.
Last year, in a burst of “Let’s make the garden prettier and more organized!” energy, I decided to move it next to the onions and carrots.
Big mistake.
Turns out, it was thriving there for a reason. The new spot was too sunny, too dry, and way too exposed. My poor leuștean sulked the entire summer.
Moral of the story? Sometimes plants (and grandmothers) know best.
🌿 Medicinal Plants to Grow or Forage in May
Nature’s pharmacy is in full swing—and it’s closer than you think.
🌸 Lavender, Chamomile & Lemon Balm
Create your own calming corner!
These herbs are perfect for teas, tinctures, or simply brushing past for that instant “ahhh” moment.
- Lavender – anti-stress superstar
- Chamomile – gentle and relaxing
- Lemon Balm – uplifting and calming in one leafy package
Plant them in full sun and well-drained soil. They thrive on sunshine and simplicity.
🍃 Red Clover: A Wild Ally for Women’s Health
Red clover (Trifolium pratense) blooms gracefully from May to August, and its soft purple flowers are loved for supporting hormonal balance and heart health.
🧺 Harvest tip: Pick blossoms mid-morning after dew has evaporated. Dry them in a shaded, breezy spot, and store in a cool place.
🍵 Brew 1 tsp of dried clover in hot water for 10–15 minutes. Sip slowly. Your nervous system will thank you.
💜 Wild Pansy (Viola tricolor): Beauty with Benefits
Also known as heartsease (adorable, right?), this tricolor bloom is more than eye candy.
Wild pansy helps soothe eczema and respiratory inflammation, making it a star in homemade herbal teas.
🌼 Pick early in the day from clean meadows. Dry thoroughly, store away from sunlight, and infuse a teaspoon in boiling water for a gentle healing brew.
🍓 Fresh May Produce & Seasonal Inspiration
This is the month to truly eat with the seasons. From garden to kitchen, your meals just got an upgrade.
What’s Ripe Now
- Strawberries:
- Juicy, sweet, and perfect for desserts or a fresh salad topping.
- Early Summer Veggies:
- Enjoy crisp cucumbers, tender green beans, and flavorful tomatoes.
- Leafy Greens:
- Continue harvesting spring greens before the full summer heat sets in.
These nutrient-rich ingredients are ideal for creating delicious, wholesome meals that celebrate the season.
🍴 Recipe Ideas Inspired by May’s Harvest
Need ideas? Here’s what to whip up with all that fresh produce:
🥗 Tomato Basil Salad – vine tomatoes + fresh basil + mozzarella + balsamic glaze
🥒 Cucumber Mint Cooler – cucumber, mint, lime, and a touch of honey—blend & chill
🔥 Grilled Veggie Skewers – zucchini, peppers, and cherry tomatoes with olive oil + herbs
🍋 Herb-Infused Iced Tea – lemon + rosemary + favorite herbal tea, served cold
🍓 Strawberry Spinach Smoothie – strawberries, banana, almond milk, and a handful of greens
💡 Bonus Tips for a Thriving May Garden
🌦️ Stay Weather-Wise – keep an eye on forecasts for surprise cold snaps or heatwaves
🐞 Natural Pest Control – ladybugs, neem oil, and good old companion planting
📓 Garden Journal – track what you plant, what thrives, and your seasonal wins
🎨 Experiment! – every season is a chance to learn something new
🌿 Need a quick overview of everything we covered?
I’ve put together a friendly May Garden Checklist you can save or print out! It’s perfect for sticking on your fridge, pinning to your garden journal, or just checking off tasks as you go.
💌 Click to view the full-size version and save it for later! 📸
🪴 May Gardening Questions You Didn’t Know You Had (But Now You Do)
Q: What vegetables can I plant in May?
A: Basically the summer MVPs: tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, green beans—you know, the stuff that makes your garden feel like a picnic. Also, if you’re the impatient type (hi, same), try radishes or baby lettuce for quick rewards.
Q: Is it too late to start a garden in May?
A: Nope! May is actually a fabulous time to start. The soil is warmer, the plants are happier, and you’re less likely to be wearing gloves while freezing your fingertips off. Win-win.
Q: What herbs grow well in May?
A: Oh, this is herb heaven. Basil, rosemary, oregano, thyme, mint… They all want a sunny spot and a little attention. But mint? Mint will grow even if you ignore it. Mint is chaos with leaves.
Q: Which flowers are best for planting in May?
A: Want drama? Go for zinnias. Want instant sunshine? Petunias. Want something that actually helps with pests? Marigolds. Basically, May is flower buffet season. Treat yourself.
Q: Can I still plant lettuce and spinach in May?
A: Technically yes—but make it quick. Once it gets too hot, they’ll bolt (aka flower and become bitter drama queens). You can sneak in a late round if your area’s still cool or if you’ve got a shady corner.
Q: What should I do about garden pests in May?
A: First, take a deep breath. Then: neem oil, garlic spray, and good vibes. Companion planting also helps—marigolds next to tomatoes is basically the ultimate garden BFF setup.
Q: What’s your favorite thing to grow in May, Lela?
A: MINT. Always mint. It’s fresh, forgiving, and smells like summer mornings and homemade lemonade. Also, it survives even when I forget about it for a week. I aspire to be as resilient as mint.
🌿 Try This: Your Own Sensory Garden Spot
Gardening isn’t just about food—it’s also about feeling grounded, calm, and happy in your little patch of earth.
This May, try setting up a sensory garden corner:
🌸 Lavender or mint for scent
🪴 River stones or bark mulch for texture under your fingers
🎶 A wind chime for soft, breezy sound
🍃 Soft herbs like lemon balm you can brush past or gently rub between your fingers
Even a tiny balcony can hold a lot of peace.
🌸 In Conclusion
May is where the magic happens—flowers in full bloom, herbs at their prime, and a garden buzzing with life. With a little planning and a lot of curiosity, your green space can become a sanctuary for summer and beyond.
Take a breath, get your hands in the dirt, and let nature guide the way. 🌿
If you’re just starting your garden journey, you might also enjoy my March gardening guide for early spring inspiration or April’s seasonal tips to see what led us here.
🍒 Live simply. Eat seasonally. Thrive naturally. #SimplifyWithLela 🍒
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