5 Things to Do in Your Garden This Week (Ontario – Week of May 3)
1. Start Planting Cold-Hardy Crops
Early May is go-time for cool-season vegetables. Soil is workable and these crops thrive in cooler temps.
Plant now:
- Lettuce, spinach, arugula
- Peas (direct sow)
- Radishes, carrots, beets
- Onion sets & potatoes
- Cabbage, Brussels Sprouts, Kale, Broccoli
Pro tip: If your soil is still cold/wet, use raised beds or containers to get ahead.
2. Prep Beds Before the Rush
Don’t rush planting warm crops, focus on building the foundation!
Do this now:
- Turn soil and remove weeds
- Add compost or triple mix
- Edge beds for a clean look
- Apply mulch to suppress early weeds
Why it matters: Better soil = stronger plants = less work later.
3. Prune & Clean Up Perennials and Shrubs
Your garden should be waking up, help it along.
Tasks:
- Cut back dead perennial growth
- Divide overgrown hostas, daylilies
- Prune summer-blooming shrubs (not spring bloomers like lilac or forsythia—wait until after flowering)
Watch for: New growth at the base before cutting too aggressively.
4. Lawn Care: Repair & Feed
Lawns are actively growing now—this is your recovery window.
Focus on:
- Rake out dead grass (light dethatch)
- Overseed bare patches
- Apply a spring fertilizer
- First or second mow (keep it higher: ~2.5–3 inches)
Bonus: Early care crowds out weeds before they take hold.
5. Hold Off on Tender Plants (But Get Ready)
It’s tempting, but we’re not frost-free yet across most of Ontario.
Do NOT plant yet:
Tomatoes, peppers, basil, cucumbers
Instead:
- Start hardening off plants (bring outside during the day)
- Prep containers and soil
- Watch your local frost dates (typically mid-to-late May)
- Shop early for best selection but hold off on planting
Rule: If overnight temps dip below ~5°C, keep them protected.
Quick Win This Week
Add instant colour with pansies, violas, and osteospermum, they handle the cold and give you that early-season pop you will love.
Seasonal Reminder
Mother’s Day is this Sunday!! The perfect time to:
- Plant a container
- Gift a hanging basket
- Or bring Mom into the greenhouse!!!
