As May begins, it’s go-time for gardeners in New Jersey’s Zone 7. With the last frost typically behind us, the soil is warming and days are getting longer—perfect conditions to dive into spring planting. Whether you’re growing vegetables, flowers, or fruit, here’s what you need to do this month to set your garden up for a productive season.
Prepare Your Garden Beds
Before you plant anything, make sure your garden is ready. Start by clearing out any weeds and debris that may have built up since winter. Loosen compacted soil and mix in compost or aged manure to enrich your beds with nutrients. If you haven’t already done a soil test this year, now’s a good time to check pH and nutrient levels.
Be sure your irrigation system is working properly. With hotter days ahead, a drip system or soaker hose will conserve water while keeping plants healthy. Mulching around your garden beds can also help retain moisture and suppress weeds.
What to Plant in May (Zone 7)
This is prime planting time in New Jersey. With average last frost dates behind us, you can plant tender vegetables, herbs, and annuals directly into the garden.
Vegetables:
Plant warm-season crops now. This includes tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, squash, eggplant, beans, and corn. You can also direct-sow okra, melons, and sweet potatoes. If you started seeds indoors, begin transplanting seedlings after hardening them off for about a week.
Herbs:
Basil, dill, cilantro, parsley, and chives can be transplanted or sown directly. Perennial herbs like thyme, oregano, and rosemary can be added to garden beds or containers.
Flowers:
Annuals like marigolds, zinnias, cosmos, and petunias thrive when planted in May. Now is also a great time to add summer bulbs like dahlias, gladiolus, and lilies.
Fruits:
Strawberry plants can be added or tended this month. If you’re planting new blueberry or raspberry bushes, be sure they go into well-drained, slightly acidic soil.
Other Key Tasks for May
- Fertilize: Apply a balanced fertilizer to vegetables and flowers as they begin active growth.
- Weed Control: Keep up with early-season weeds before they become a bigger problem.
- Support Structures: Add cages, stakes, or trellises now for tomatoes, cucumbers, and beans.
- Pest Watch: Start inspecting for early signs of pests like aphids, flea beetles, or cutworms.
- Mow and Edge Lawns: Cool-season grasses are growing quickly; mow regularly and sharpen your mower blade for clean cuts.
Looking Ahead
Keep succession planting in mind. For a longer harvest, sow beans and lettuces every two weeks. As we move into late May, you can begin transitioning to summer crop care—like pruning tomatoes and managing watering schedules.
Now is the moment to bring your New Jersey garden to life. With the right prep and timely planting, you’ll be harvesting in no time.
