Late May Checklist: Stake, Water, Weed, Repeat

by Mouton Noir
Late May in the garden is like that moment when a toddler suddenly grows three inches overnight.

Late May in the garden is like that moment when a toddler suddenly grows three inches overnight. One day your peonies are tight green buds, and the next they’re flopping onto the path like a Victorian fainting couch.

The pace is picking up—but that doesn’t mean you need to panic. With a few thoughtful touches each week, you can keep things on track without burning out.

Let’s get into your Late May Checklist—a gentle, grounding rhythm to support your garden as it leaps toward summer.

🌱 1. Stake Before the Flop

If it’s already flopping, it’s not too late—but earlier is better.

🌿 Stake now:

  • Peonies – Especially the doubles

  • Delphinium – Tall and dramatic... until the rain hits

  • Aconitum – Elegant but heavy

  • Veronicastrum – Upright now, but breezy days are coming

  • Gillenia – Airy and beautiful, but easily tangled

🛠️ Tips:

  • Use gentle ties—twine, Velcro, or soft plant tape

  • Let the plant grow through a grid or ring when possible

  • Aim for invisible support, not a plant in a corset

💧 2. Water Deeply, Not Daily

We’re into warmer days, but don’t fall into the shallow-water trap.

🌦️ Watering guidance:

  • Focus on deep soaks once or twice a week (more if hot/dry)

  • Check the soil 2–3" down—not just the surface

  • New plantings still need extra love (2–3x/week)

  • Group plants by needs: Heuchera, Brunnera, and Astilbe want more; Echinacea, Nepeta, and Sedum need less

💡 Pro tip: Early morning is ideal. The plants drink it in, and you avoid mildew later.

🌿 3. Weed with Intention

By now, weeds are elbowing their way in—and they’re very comfortable.

🌱 What to focus on:

  • Pull while small, especially before seed sets

  • Hit the same areas weekly—it gets easier over time

  • Use a loop hoe or hori-hori to pop roots cleanly

💡 Mindful moment: Weeding can be surprisingly meditative. Just you, the soil, and the quiet satisfaction of taking something out on purpose.

✂️ 4. Deadhead for Reblooms

Some early bloomers are winding down—but they’ve still got more to give.

🌸 Deadhead now for more flowers later:

  • Salvia ‘May Night’ – Trim after bloom to encourage a second flush

  • Dianthus ‘Cherry Truffles’ – Keeps blooming with light cuts

  • Veronica ‘Royal Candles’ – Loves a gentle haircut

  • Coreopsis ‘Sterntaler’ – Snip spent blooms for weeks more colour

  • Scabiosa ‘Pink Mist’ – Cut regularly to keep the show going

🌼 Bonus Task: Take Notes

Grab your garden journal. What’s blooming? What needs more support? What gaps are you noticing? These little details will help when it’s time to shop, plant bulbs, or simply admire your own good work.

Final Thoughts: Keep the Rhythm, Not the Rush

Gardening in late May is about tending. It’s not the chaos of spring planting or the ripeness of July—it’s the in-between. The part where you show up, gently guide the garden along, and try to stay one step ahead of the peony flop.

So stake. Water. Weed. Repeat. And somewhere in there, take a moment to sit in the shade and watch the bees do their work.

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