May Gardening Tips for The Woodlands

As spring colors begin to fade, May signals an important shift in your garden. Cool-season annuals start to decline just as temperatures begin their steady climb toward the upper 90s. Now’s the time to transition your landscape and get ahead of the intense summer heat before working outdoors becomes more difficult.

Start by replacing tired spring annuals with heat-tolerant varieties that can handle the long Texas summer. Before planting, clear your beds of weeds and old plant material. Loosen the soil to a depth of about six inches, then mix in a generous 3–4 inch layer of organic matter such as compost, rotted leaves, finely ground pine bark, or peat moss. This step improves drainage, enriches the soil, and sets your plants up for success.

When installing new plants, skip rigid rows and go for a more natural look with staggered or checkerboard spacing. After planting, apply a 3–4 inch layer of mulch around each plant to help retain moisture and keep weeds under control.

Watering becomes especially important this time of year. Newly planted beds should be watered thoroughly at first, then transitioned to deeper, less frequent watering as roots establish. Avoid light daily watering—it encourages shallow roots and weaker plants. Early morning is the best time to water, allowing plants to absorb moisture before the heat of the day. It’s also a smart time to check your irrigation system and make seasonal adjustments to ensure efficient coverage.

For your lawn, May is prime time to aerate and fertilize. Aeration helps relieve soil compaction and allows nutrients and water to reach the root zone more effectively. Following up with a quality fertilizer will promote healthy, green growth as your grass enters its peak growing season.

With a little preparation now, your yard will be ready to handle the summer heat and continue looking its best in the months ahead.

Have questions or need expert advice? We welcome your feedback and are happy to help.

Lawn Ranger Company, Inc.

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