May is one of the months when we have to watch our trees very carefully. The weather can get very hot with drying winds. You will need to check your trees to determine if they need watering. There will be times when they need daily watering and times when you will only need to water every other day. Use the chopstick method to determine if it is time to water.
Also, don't forget that May 10th is the so called frost free date in the Ohio Valley. However, we have had frost later than that in years past. You may need to protect your trees from that 'last' frost of the season.
May is also the time when the insects start their vicious cycle - especially spider mites. Check your trees for insect damage every couple days. If there is any evidence, take action immediately. These little guys can reproduce at astonishing rates and can decimate your tree very quickly.
Once the azaleas have finished blooming, make sure to remove the spent blossoms and seed pods. Once blooming is done, start trimming and wiring.
Continue pinching out the tip growth on the deciduous trees to develop ramification.
If your fertilization program hasn't been started, you are way behind. See this month's fertilizing article.
May is also the time to start bringing out your tropicals, if you haven't already done it. Watch the temperature and if the prediction is in the low 50's, they will need to be brought back indoors until the temperature warms back up.
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