Green thumb is not necessary when planting in May

Almost all vegetables and flowers will do well when planted in May, so even novice gardeners will experience success. This is especially true in Southern California where the weather is perfect for spring gardens.

Plant warm season flowers: Some flowers grow best when the weather (and soil) is warm. These annuals are at their best through August, so plant them in May for four months of vibrant color. They include begonia, chrysanthemum, geranium, marigold, petunia, and verbena. If you want flowers year-round, plant perennials like African daisy, delphinium, fuchsia, lavender, sage, and coreopsis.

smart water: Let the weather be your guide when watering. However, as a general rule, it is better to water longer and less often than to water a few minutes a day. This encourages plant roots to strengthen as they go deeper into the soil in search of moisture. Water the soil around your flowers and vegetables, not the plants themselves. Irrigation at the root can cause diseases and fungus.

Add fragrance to your flower garden: Colorful flowers are only part of an attractive garden. The fragrance is also important. Consider planting these fragrant shrubs this month: all kinds of dwarf citrus, gardenia, jasmine, and roses.

Experiment with vegetables: Most nurseries have the standard tomatoes, squash, and peppers available for planting, but try something different this year: sweet potatoes, okra, and even peanuts.

Plant wild flowers: Native plants are typically more hardy and use less water than non-native plants. Wildflowers are used to being alone, with little care needed. Sprinkle wildflower seeds in a bare or hard-to-reach spot and they’ll soon fill the space. Most wildflowers are annuals and will continue to appear year after year. You’ll find bundles of these California wildflowers at most nurseries: Penstemon, Buckwheat, Lupine, Creeping Mountain Lilac, California Poppy, Evening Primrose, Golden Yarrow, and Verbena.

Add a layer of organic mulch: Maintain a two to three inch layer of mulch in all of your flower and vegetable gardens. Mulch helps maintain cooler soil temperatures, retains moisture, allows roots to extend deeper into the soil, and suppresses weed growth. The mulch will eventually break down, adding nutrients to the soil.

Time for lawn maintenance: The soil under lawns compacts over time. If you’re watering and the water runs off instead of soaking in, it’s time to aerate and dethatch the lawn so the water can easily soak down to the roots. Apply a light layer of turf mulch to retain moisture and reduce water use.