May is the month that makes us think of beautiful flowers. Mother’s Day is a perfect time to gift mom with a garden-related item. Instead of the usual vase of cut flowers, plan ahead and give that special person a naturally-inspired bouquet that changes with seasons, a beautiful container garden.

Although pansies may still be looking great early in May, it’s about time to pull them and plant summer flowering plants. Once it gets hot, pansies go down fast. Annuals and perennials give you lots of color bang for your buck. Pinch back growth of newly planted annual and perennial plants. This results in shorter, compact plants with more flowers.

Allow the foliage of daffodils and other spring-flowering bulbs to mature and yellow before removing.

Spread a second application of pre-emergent for crabgrass and grassy weeds. Fertilize lawns with the final feeding before Summer. Fertilize roses every four to six weeks and control black spot with a systemic fungicide.