Watch your trees carefully this month. Temperatures will continue to go up and down and tropicals may need to be moved indoors if temperatures lower. Remember May 10 is the so called last frost date but based on what we have seen so far this year, we may have a frost later than that.

If you haven't started, begin your fertilizer program. Application of a slow release fertilizer like Osmocote is a good idea. If you are trying to develop foliage, use a higher nitrogen content like a 10-5-5. For blooming plants, use a 5-5-15 fertilizer until the blooms have finished. Water your trees thoroughly before the fertilizer is added. This will prevent root burn, and save on the amount of fertilizer solution needed.

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. Maples are growing very fast this year and they may need pinching every few days.

Watch the trees that have wire on them. With the rapid growth seen by some species at this time of year, the wire may have to be cut off sooner that expected.

Insects will start their cycles this month, if they haven’t already done so, therefore you will need to watch carefully. If insecticides need to be applied, do so early in the morning (best time) or in late evening.