What to Do in Your Florida Garden in May

May is when things start to get real in a Florida garden.

The heat is coming. The rain is coming. And if you don’t adjust now, your garden will start to struggle.

But if you do the right things in May, your garden can keep growing strong into summer.

Here is what to focus on this month.

Plants You Can Still Grow in May

By May, you need to stop thinking about “spring gardening.”

Now it’s all about heat-loving plants.

Here Are Some Good things to plant now:

• Okra

• Sweet potatoes

• Seminole pumpkin

• Southern peas (black-eyed peas, cowpeas)

• Malabar spinach

• Roselle

• Basil

• Lemongrass

These plants don’t just survive the heat, they like it!

If you plant cool-weather crops now, they will struggle.

What You Should Be Harvesting

If you planted earlier in the season, you should be harvesting:

• Tomatoes (if they’re still producing)

• Peppers

• Herbs like basil and mint

• Beans

  
  

Pick often. The more you harvest, the more your plant will produce.

What to Stop Planting

This is where many people mess up.

By May, it is usually too late for:

• Strawberries

• Lettuce

• Broccoli

• Cauliflower

• Spinach

• Peas

  
  

These plants don’t like Florida heat. If you plant them now, they will bolt, wilt, or die fast.

Watch for Pests (They Show Up FAST)

May is when pests really start to appear.

Look out for:

• Whiteflies

• Aphids

• Caterpillars

• Spider mites

  
  

Check your plants every few days. If you catch pests early, they are easy to manage.If you wait too long, they can take over fast.

Change How You Water

As it gets hotter, your watering needs change.

But more water is NOT always better.

Do this instead:

• Water deeply (not lightly every day)

• Water 2–3 times per week

• Check soil before watering

  
  

Too much water can cause:

• Root rot

• Yellow leaves

• Weak plants

  
  

Mulch Now (This Is Very Important)

If you do one thing this month.. please add mulch!

Mulching helps:

• Keep soil cool

• Hold moisture

• Protect roots from heat

• Reduce weeds

  
  

Add 2–3 inches around your plants

Keep mulch away from stems so they don’t rot.

Give Your Plants a Break from the Sun

Florida sun in May is strong. Some plants will start to struggle in full afternoon sun.

However you can do these things to turn down the heat:

• Add shade cloth

• Plant near taller plants

• Use partial shade areas

  
  

This helps plants last longer into summer.

Get Ready for Rainy Season

Heavy rain is coming soon and May is the time to prepare:

• Make sure your soil drains well

• Raise low garden beds if needed

• Avoid areas that stay flooded

  
  

Too much water can kill plants just as fast as drought.

Add Flowers for Pollinators

May is a great time to support butterflies and bees.

Consider Planting these to help out our local insects:

• Firebush

• Tropical sage

• Milkweed

• Pentas

• Blue porterweed

  
  

These plants help your garden stay active and alive.

Final Thoughts

May is not the time to do more, it’s the time to do things differently.

But if you:

• Plant heat-loving crops

• Water the right way

• Add mulch

• Watch for pests

  
  

Your garden might stay strong! even as summer starts.