May in the Garden

May is one of the most exciting times of year for gardeners in Nevada County. The days are warm, the soil is soft, and everything seems to be stretching toward the sun—including us, out into the garden with a trowel in one hand and a coffee in the other.

So, what should we be doing in the garden this month?

This is the green light month. Warm-season veggies like tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, and peppers are ready to go in the ground. If you’ve been babying seedlings indoors, now’s their time to shine.

Fresh herbs like basil and cilantro also love this time of year—plant a few and enjoy grabbing a handful whenever you cook.

For flower lovers, May is when the show really starts. You can sprinkle seeds for sunflowers, zinnias, and cosmos right into the soil. And if you’ve got nursery plants like dahlias or rudbeckia, now’s the time to settle them into their new home.

Gardens are waking up fast now, and they’ll need your help to stay on track. A few things to keep in mind:

• Mulch: Spread a layer around your plants to keep moisture in and weeds out. It also gives everything a nice tidy look.

• Pruning: Spring bloomers like azaleas or lilacs can use a light prune once their flowers fade—just enough to shape them up and encourage new growth.

• Weeding: Yes, they’re back. But pulling weeds early and often keeps things manageable.

• Check your irrigation: Whether you use a hose, drip system, or good old watering can, make sure everything’s working. Our warm days can dry things out quickly.

May is also when the bugs start to show up. Some are helpful (like ladybugs), some… not so much. Keep an eye out for aphids, snails, and other garden pests. Often, a good blast of water or a little manual cleanup is all you need.

Living in Nevada County means being smart about fire season. Now’s a great time to clean up dry leaves, trim back overgrown shrubs, and create a buffer zone around your home. It’s not just good gardening—it’s good stewardship.

Need some help or inspiration? Swing into one of your local nurseries and get the plants that fit you and your landscape. And don’t forget the seed library at the Madelyn Helling Library—it’s a little treasure box of potential, just waiting for you.

Gardening in May is all about leaning into the rhythm of the season. Everything is growing, blooming, buzzing. Take it slow, enjoy the process, and don’t worry too much if not everything goes according to plan. The garden, like life, has a way of surprising us.