Full Moon: May’s Full Moon will occur on May 24th and has naturally been referred to as Flower Moon or as the Huron Indians called it, Budding Moon because of the many flowers that start to emerge and blossom during the month. Farmers came to refer to it as Milk Moon because of the noticeable increase in milk production as the weather warms.

Special Notes: Some very special days to mark in the month of May include National Day of Prayer (Thursday, May 2nd), Cinco de Mayo (Sunday, May 5th), and World No Tobacco Day (Friday, May 31st).

Holidays: Ascension Day falls on Thursday, May 9th. Mothers are honored on Mother’s Day which falls on Sunday May 12th (The first observance of Mother’s Day was on May 10, 1908 during church services in Grafton, West Virginia and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania). Make her day with a small gesture of appreciation, be it a sentimental card, flowers, or a nice dinner out. Armed Forces Day is Saturday, May 18th, Trinity Sunday is May 26th, and Memorial Day falls on Monday, May 27th. Have fun and start off the 2013 summer season with a barbeque, family picnic, or outing but do not forget those who have served and are still serving in our armed forces. Remember the sacrifices they make every day in order to protect our way of life.

The Garden: Warm season crops can be planted now that the ground temperatures approach 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Go ahead and put out Okra, Pumpkin, Sweet Potatoes, Eggplant, Peppers, Peanuts, Watermelon, Cow Peas, Black-eyed Peas, Crowder Peas, Butter Peas and Butter Beans.

Start seeds for squash and melons but hold off transplanting them until the end of the month to avoid any infestation of squash bugs and borers. Begin pinching annuals and perennials so the plants fill in and produce more blooms. Prune evergreens when the new growth starts to turn a darker shade of green. Also, prune stone fruits (cherry, almond, peach, nectarine, plum) at bloom time. Plant balled and burlapped shrubs any time the ground can be worked. To minimize weed growth and to help retain moisture after watering or rain, apply mulch around the shrub at lease to 2 to 3 inches deep making sure that the mulch stays a few inches away from its base. Fertilize existing, spring-flowering shrubs in late spring after they finish blooming. Hold off on mowing the lawn for the first time this season until it reaches a height slightly higher than recommended.