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Prep lawns and gardens for optimal growth
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STORY TOOLS 
More from LifestyleFlowers, vegetables and lawns are entering their maximum growing months, and backyard gardeners can do much in May to help them thrive, say experts at Agromin, a Camarillo-based manufacturer of soil products.
Treat warm-season lawns: Warm-season lawns, including Bermuda grass and St. Augustine, need a once-over during May. Aerate and dethatch these lawns so that water can easily penetrate to the roots. Apply a light layer of lawn topping or mulch to keep in moisture and reduce water usage.
Rose bushes need attention: Remove older flowers by cutting back to the first leaf in a five-leaflet cluster. Some roses, including floribundas and shrub roses, bloom in clusters, so gently reshape the rose bushes after blooms fade.
Plant perennials and summer annuals: May is a good time to plant perennial flowers, including salvia, coreopsis and delphiniums. It's also time to plant summer annuals such as zinnias, cosmos and marigolds.
Plant more vegetables and herbs: In cooler areas, you can still plant lettuce, carrots and radishes. In warmer areas, now is the time to plant warm-season veggies, including watermelon, sunflower, squash, corn and beans. Rosemary, basil, mint, oregano, parsley and thyme should be planted in May.
Think wild: Plant California wildflowers in your yard. These plants use less water than most non-native plants, are easy to grow and, with minimum care, can last for decades. For example, plant Bacchanalia on a sunny, warm, south-facing slope or an exposed flat area, and watch it fill the space in no time. Others that make beautiful garden denizens include penstemons, buckwheat (pictured), lupine, creeping mountain lilac, California poppy, evening primrose, golden yarrow and verbena.
For more planting and gardening tips, go to http://www.agromin.com.
— From staff reports
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