May is a magical month in the garden—the weather is warming, plants are bursting with color, and it’s finally safe to get your hands in the soil. At Nunan’s Florist & Garden Center, we know how important this time of year is to set your garden up for summer success. Whether you’re tending your perennials, freshening up your containers, or prepping your veggie garden, May is the time to dig in and get things done.

Here’s your organized checklist of essential May gardening tasks to get your beds, borders, and containers thriving:

🌿 1. Mulch for Moisture and Weed Control

Mulching is one of the most important things you can do this month. Not only does it help retain soil moisture and regulate soil temperature, but it also suppresses weeds and gives your garden a polished look.

• Apply 2–3 inches of mulch around perennials, shrubs, and trees.

• Avoid piling mulch against plant stems or tree trunks (think mulch doughnuts, not volcanoes).

• Choose from our bulk mulch options or bagged selections—available for pick-up or delivery.

Tip: Our team can help calculate how much mulch you need—just stop by or give us a call.

🌸 2. Prune Spring Bloomers

As your early bloomers like forsythia, lilacs, and azaleas finish flowering, it’s time to give them a trim.

• Prune right after blooming to shape the plant and encourage healthy new growth.

• Remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches to improve airflow.

• Avoid pruning too late in the season, as this can affect next year’s blooms.

🌱 3. Fertilize for Growth

Now’s the time to give your plants a boost! Fertilizing in May supports strong growth, bigger blooms, and healthier veggies.

• Use Espoma fertilizers or Jack’s Blue water-soluble feed for containers and annuals.

• For garden beds, try Coast of Maine compost blends or Scotts slow-release formulas.

• Don’t forget your lawn—use a spring fertilizer now for lush, green turf through summer.

Pro Tip: Look for our Nunan Grown pots—90% of our annuals and perennials are grown right here for optimal local performance.

🥕 4. Prep the Veggie Garden

It’s officially planting time! Most cool-season crops are already in, and now you can begin warm-season favorites.

• Plant tomatoes, peppers, squash, and beans after the last frost date (typically early May in Zone 6a).

• Add compost or veggie garden soil to enrich planting beds.

• Use Espoma’s Tomato-tone or Garden-tone to feed your edible crops organically.

Need a helping hand? Our experts are here to help you build raised beds or create a garden design that fits your space and lifestyle.

🌼 5. Refresh Containers & Hanging Baskets

Container gardens and hanging baskets are an easy way to add instant color and curb appeal.

• Empty and clean pots from last season to prevent disease.

• Refill with fresh potting mix and Proven Winners annuals for unbeatable summer performance.

• Mix thrillers (tall plants), fillers (mounding), and spillers (trailing) for a balanced, eye-catching look.

Stop in and check out our beautiful pre-planted combinations or customize your own with expert guidance from our staff.

Bonus Tip: Check for Pests & Plan Your Summer Garden

Keep an eye out for aphids, caterpillars, and other early garden pests. Pick up organic solutions like Bonide or Neem Oil from our garden care section. While you’re at it, start sketching out your plans for July blooms or fall crops!

Let’s Grow Together!

At Nunan’s, we’re more than just your neighborhood garden center—we’re your gardening partner. From proven winners annuals to bulk mulch delivery, we have everything you need to plant, play, and grow this season.

📍 Visit us at 269 Central Street, Georgetown, MA
📱 Download our app for exclusive May deals: Click here
🌱 Shop live plants online at nunansdirect.com

Let’s make this the best gardening season yet!