Plants Struggling in May? Here’s What’s Going Wrong, And How to Fix It
The fluctuating weather patterns are causing this issue
With weather conditions being so unpredictable during mid-spring, many of our plants only put on weak growth in May. Luckily, you can still save them with a bit of TLC.
Whether you have sown seeds indoors to transplant or sowed seeds directly outdoors this month, inconsistent soil temperatures, rain, and pests can all impact how well your seedlings grow. Even established plants may not bounce back as vigorously due to these challenging growing conditions. It can leave you with leggy shoots and discoloring foliage, which weaken the plant if unattended.
Fluctuating Temperatures
'One of the big issues with plants is May is the temperature in most US hardiness zones can't make up its mind. The soil is still warming up from the winter and there can be cold snaps that slow plant growth,' says Lindsey.
These fluctuating temperatures can disrupt biological processes for young plants to properly establish, resulting in weaker root systems and making plants more vulnerable to environmental changes.
Ideally, soil temperature should be between 60-65°F to plant out the majority of warm-season crops. You can use this soil thermometer from Amazon to monitor this.
Lindsey Chastain, a dedicated homesteader and skilled writer, is the driving force behind The Waddle and Cluck, a platform that celebrates sustainable living, gardening, and responsible farming
Inconsistent Moisture
'May also has a tendency to be either very wet or very dry. Plants like stasis and not all of these abrupt changes in the weather,' Lindsey notes.
For this reason, it's a good idea to keep an eye on the weather forecast. Using a soil moisture meter (like this from Amazon), you can determine whether your plants need a top up of water during drier spells.
Watering plants deeply, rather than little and often, will help establish strong root systems by encouraging roots to search deeper in the soil for moisture.
Insufficient Light
Daylight can also widely vary in May, with some gloomy days and some bright days. This can cause leggy, weak growth, especially among indoor plants and seedlings housed indoors or in a greenhouse.
You should move seedling trays and houseplants closer to windows for more daylight exposure.
If needed, you can boost light levels with a grow light. This grow light from Amazon has a timer for convenient use.
Unhealthy Soil
'Soil pH and nutrients is another major culprit,' says Lindsey. 'May is the beginning of the growing season, so the soil may not have the right nutrients or the plants can't get the nutrients because the pH is off,' she explains.
You can test your soil this month with a soil test kit from Amazon to determine what it needs to improve soil health.
Putting down some organic compost and mulching are two chemical-free ways to boost nutrients in your soil this month. Or, you can turn to slow release fertilizers for a gradual supply of essential plant nutrients to plants (like this slow release plant food from Burpee).
This is also a good time to loosen compacted soil around plants if you haven't already. This will allow more airflow, making it easier for roots to move and soak up nutrients and water. You can use this Burpee hand fork to gently break up compacted areas.
Pests and Diseases
'May is prime aphid time. Spider mites can also be a big issue,' says Lindsey. 'Always check the undersides of leaves for pests to treat them as soon as possible. Aphids can destroy a garden pretty quickly if left unchecked,' she adds.
Spring garden pests can appear to come out of nowhere once temperatures warm up, so be vigilant with checking your crops and ornamentals alike.
You may wish to use some natural pest control methods, like using pest-repellent plants. This pack of marigolds from Walmart is a reliable choice for deterring many destructive pests, thanks to these flowers' strong smell and chemical compounds.
'Powdery mildew and root rot are also May problems if it's been especially wet. If your plants are water-logged, they are struggling to breathe,' Lindsey explains.
'If you end up with powdery mildew, trim those leaves and toss them. Don't put them in compost or leave out to infect other plants. Try to improve airflow by spreading plants further apart.
'Root rot is harder to deal with. For container plants, repotting is probably necessary. For plants in the ground, try to improve the drainage, add some more mulch to help soak up some of the excess water, or move the plant to a container until the soil is not so wet,' Lindsey advises.
What to Shop
The Felco 2 pruning shears are loved by gardeners for their lightweight handles, carbon steel cutting blade, and replaceable parts.
These blue ceramic planters have drainage holes and saucers to remove excess water and aid moisture management.
This soil moisture meter can help you avoid watering mistakes. Simply insert the probe and it will identify how wet the soil is.
FAQs
Should I Prune Weak Plant Growth?
It can be beneficial to remove particularly weak plant growth that is not proving productive and is only draining the plant's energy. This includes any leggy, discoloring plant matter. This can also help make the plant less susceptible to pest issues.
You should always use clean and sharp pruning shears to do this, like these Fiskars bypass pruning shears from Amazon.
Keeping on top of your spring gardening checklist can set your garden up for a productive season ahead. There are also some spring gardening tasks you don't need to do right now that can be delayed a little longer.
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