May.

Every bed needs a system before summer hits

• Apply fertilizer as the season launches

  A balanced organic fertilizer (5-5-5 or compost + fish emulsion) worked into the top 3 inches before planting sets crops up for a strong start. Tomatoes and peppers especially need it.

• Mulch beds to prevent weeds and retain moisture

  Straw, grass clippings, or shredded leaves 2–3 inches deep cuts water needs in half and suppresses 90% of weeds. Mulch is the single highest-leverage task of the whole spring.

• Begin a regular watering schedule

  Soaker hoses or drip irrigation buried under mulch beats overhead watering every way you can measure: less disease, less waste, deeper roots. Install the network in May, before you plant around it.

• Have trellis systems in place before tomatoes sprawl

  A tomato left to sprawl loses half its yield to disease and rot. Cages, stakes, or the Florida weave — pick a system and install it the same day you plant.

Around the property

• Begin mowing — but not too short

  Set the deck to 3 inches or higher. Short grass burns, weakens, and lets weeds in. Tall grass shades out crabgrass and holds moisture. If you only do one thing for your lawn this year, mow it tall.

• Move houseplants outside to shady spots

  Houseplants love a summer vacation. Start in deep shade for a week — sudden sun burns them — then move to bright shade or morning-only sun.