May To Do List

May Garden To-Do:

Even though it has been a pretty cool spring so far, we must prepare ourselves for a potentially hot summer. Here we have listed some things to do in your garden to best prepare for intense summer conditions:

 Feed Your Garden (The Right Way)

• Healthy soil is built with good fertilizers and organic matter (compost). A lot of native plants would do just fine with compost but Microlife fertilizers give your garden that next-level boost:

• Natives: Microlife 6-2-4 provides balanced nutrition

• Lawns: Microlife 6-2-4 and Microlife 0-0-4 humates build healthy soil and drought resilience

• Veggies: Microlife's 6-2-4 acidified fertilizer supports thriving vegetables

• Combo Power: Granular fertilizers deliver a steady supply of nutrients over time, while liquid fertilizers (like Microlife's Ocean Harvest or targeted bloom boosters) provide an instant pick-me-up when your plants need it.

• There are many other Microlife options to pick from both granular and liquid. Come in and speak to a specialist to see which one is right for your plants!

 Mulch, Mulch, Mulch!

Like most professionals in the industry, we recommend a 2-4 inch layer of mulch in your beds:

• • Conserves water in the soil

  • Keeps roots cool

• • Suppresses those pesky weed seedlings

  • Bonus: Mulch feeds a thriving underground ecosystem of microbes, fungi, and nematodes, all working hard for your garden!

Watch Out for Pests

• • Aphids, spider mites, and more are on the way. Our nursery staff members are the go-to for:

  • Identifying common May pests

  • Natural solutions to protect your plants

  • Photo Help: Snap a picture of the pest and send it our way for quick identification and advice. Email us at [email protected] or text us at 512-560-6788.

• Prevention is Key: Healthy plants nourished with natural fertilizers are more resilient against pests and diseases. But for stubborn problems, a neem oil mix with Microlife Super Seaweed is a powerful combo to fight back and revitalize your plants.

Special Cedar Park Considerations

• Reap the rewards of your spring planting!

  • Planting guide to use from our Master Gardeners https://txmg.org/williamson/files/Williamson-County-Vegetable-planting-guide-2020.pdf

  • Varieties and guides for different crops

  • https://txmg.org/williamson/vegetable-garden/

  • Community Resources Connect with other gardeners through community gardens, online forums, or plant swaps.

-Calvin King HCWG Horticulturist