Trees and Shrubs
- Trees and shrubs can still be planted/transplanted , the sooner the better
- Prune back spring flowering shrubs after bloom
- Mulch landscape beds to conserve water, reduce weeds and keep roots
cool for the summer - no more than 3-4 inches
- Check irrigation systems to make sure they are operating properly
including amount of water, proper timing and sensors
- Monitor for pine sawfly, lacebug, spruce mite, aphids, cankerworm tent
caterpillar and holly leafminer
- Look for cedar-apple rust fungus on Juniperous species of plants
- Find Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Fothergilla, Redbud, Crabapple, Lilac,
and various Viburnums in bloom

Flowers and Vegetables
- Plant summer flowering bulbs such as Dahlias, Cannas, Gladiolus
- May 15 is the frost free date for central NJ
- Warm-season plants should be protected on potentially frosty evenings
- Harvest lettuce, radishes, spinach and other cool season vegetables
- Remove dead flowers of daffodils, tulips, Narcissus and allow foliage
to dry
- Find Bleeding Heart, Jacob's Ladder, Forget-Me-Not, Iris (late May),
Phlox and Candytuft in bloom

Lawns
- Minimize fertilizer applications at this time
- Cut and leave grass clippings - do not remove more than 1/3 of the
grass blade
- Avoid renovation if possible
- Post emergent weed control can be applied - make sure to properly
identify the weed problem
- Monitor for cool-season diseases like necrotic ring spot, red thread,
and various leaf spots
- Monitor for grubs (properly identify species) - control for most
species is achieved in early August

Fruit
- Strawberries available mid- to late May
- Thin fruit trees as they begin to develop