If you’ve been waiting for warm weather, now is the perfect time to start planting on Long Island. By mid-May, soil temperatures are warming up and the danger of frost is mostly behind us. As a result, flowers, vegetables, herbs, trees, and shrubs can now thrive outdoors.
SunPatiens®
Petunias
Lantana
Annuals & Perennials for Color
For instant color, annuals are one of the easiest choices. In particular, petunias, geraniums, begonias, calibrachoa, lantana, SunPatiens®, and New Guinea impatiens perform beautifully this time of year. Additionally, these plants work well in containers, hanging baskets, window boxes, and sunny garden beds.
Meanwhile, perennials are a smart long-term investment because they return year after year. Popular options for Long Island gardens include lavender, salvia, coneflowers, black-eyed Susans, sedum, coreopsis, and catmint. Not only do these plants provide long-lasting color, but they also help attract butterflies and other pollinators to the garden.
Salvia
Black Eyed Susan
Sedum
Vegetables & Herbs to Plant Now
May is also one of the best times to plant vegetables and herbs. Tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, zucchini, squash, beans, basil, parsley, rosemary, and thyme can all be planted now. However, vegetables grow best when they receive at least six hours of sunlight daily. Therefore, choose a sunny location and water consistently during dry weather.
Trees, Shrubs & Tropical Plants
In addition, spring is ideal for planting trees and shrubs before summer heat arrives. Hydrangeas, arborvitae, roses, hollies, boxwoods, skip laurels, and flowering shrubs are all popular choices for Long Island landscapes. If deer are a concern in your neighborhood, consider selecting deer-resistant varieties.
Tropical Hibiscus
Tomato Plants
Hydrangea
Tropical plants can also be safely planted outdoors in May once nighttime temperatures remain consistently warm. Tropical hibiscus, mandevilla, palms, and colorful tropical foliage plants instantly create a vacation-inspired look for patios, decks, and poolside containers.
Don’t Forget Lawn Care
Finally, don’t forget about lawn care. Right now is a great time to fertilize, mulch garden beds, edge borders, and repair thin lawn areas before summer stress begins.
Whether you’re planting containers, refreshing your landscape, or starting a vegetable garden, May is one of the best times to garden on Long Island.
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