What to Do in Your Central Texas Garden (May 1–15): Enjoy the Blooms, Don’t Touch Those Trees, and Summer Veggie Planting

Written By Colleen Dieter

The first half of May in Central Texas is a turning point in the garden. Spring growth is exploding, temperatures are rising fast, and gardeners are shifting from planting mode into maintenance and survival mode for the summer ahead.

In this episode, you’ll learn what to plant now, what to stop doing, how to manage weeds and heat, and how to set your garden up for success before the intense Texas summer arrives.

🌿 Feeling Overwhelmed? You’re Not Alone

May can feel intense for gardeners:

  • Rapid plant growth

  • Heavy weed pressure from spring rains

  • Heat and humidity increasing quickly

If your garden feels out of control right now — that’s normal.

🌱 Try Sheet Mulching for Problem Areas

If weeds have taken over or plants aren’t thriving, consider sheet mulching:

  1. Cut down weeds

  2. Lay down cardboard

  3. Add compost

  4. Top with mulch

Let it sit for a few months, then plant in the fall. This is a powerful way to reset difficult areas of your garden.

☀️ Gardening in the Heat: Protect Yourself

As temperatures climb, your gardening routine needs to adjust.

  • Garden in the morning when possible

  • Wear sun protection (hat, sunscreen, lightweight clothing)

  • Use bug repellent

  • Stay hydrated

This is the time of year when heat exhaustion can sneak up quickly.

🌳 Trees & Shrubs: What to Stop Doing Now

❌ Stop Planting Woody Plants

It’s now too hot for planting trees and shrubs like:

  • Oaks

  • Pecans

  • Roses

Wait until September for better success.

🚫 Do NOT Prune

  • Especially avoid pruning oak trees (oak wilt risk)

  • Trees need their leaves right now to produce energy

Only prune if branches are dead, broken, or dangerous.

🍎 Fruit Tree Care in May

🏷️ Track Your Trees

If you don’t already:

  • Label your trees (variety + planting date)

  • Keep a garden journal

This makes long-term care much easier.

✂️ Thin Your Fruit (If You Haven’t Yet)

Thinning improves:

  • Fruit size

  • Flavor

  • Tree health

If you skipped this step, go back to the previous episode for full instructions.

🌿 Support & Feed Your Trees

  • Prop up heavy branches (especially peaches & nectarines)

  • Apply soil treatments or nutrients if needed

  • Consider a soil test to guide fertilization

Fruit production takes a lot of energy — your trees need support.

🌸 Perennials & Pollinator Plants

This is your last chance to:

  • Plant perennials

  • Transplant or divide plants

  • Add ornamental grasses and groundcovers

Popular Central Texas choices:

  • Lantana

  • Pride of Barbados

  • Firebush

  • Yellow bells

These plants:

  • Thrive in heat

  • Require less water

  • Support butterflies and pollinators

🥕 What to Plant in Early May (Central Texas)

This is a transition window — some crops are ending, others are just beginning.

🌱 Last Chance to Plant:

  • Green beans (before heat stops production)

🔥 Plant These Now:

  • Southern peas (black-eyed peas, cowpeas)

  • Melons (watermelon, cantaloupe)

  • Okra

  • Sweet potatoes

⚠️ Be Careful With:

  • Cucumbers → choose heat-tolerant varieties (Armenian, Indian, cucamelons)

  • Tomatoes → too late for large varieties, but small cherry types may still work

🌶️ Still Good to Plant:

  • Peppers

  • Eggplant

🎃 Also Plant:

  • Winter squash

  • Pumpkins

🌿 Garden Maintenance: Shift Your Focus

May marks a shift from planting → maintaining.

✔️ What to Do Now:

  • Trellis and train vining plants

  • Prune excess tomato growth for airflow

  • Cage peppers and eggplants

  • Side-dress plants with compost or fertilizer

🌱 Mulch is Critical Before Summer

If you do ONE thing — mulch your garden.

  • Add 2–4 inches of mulch (leaves, pine needles, etc.)

  • Keeps soil cool

  • Retains moisture

  • Protects plants from heat stress

Bare soil going into summer = struggling plants.

🌻 Herbs & Flowers to Plant Now

Direct sow:

  • Basil

  • Sunflowers

  • Zinnias

  • Cosmos

  • Celosia

🌿 Harvest Tip:

Start harvesting Mediterranean herbs like:

  • Oregano

  • Thyme

Before they flower — this is when flavor is best.

🌱 Lawn Care Tips for Central Texas

✔️ Mow HIGH

  • Set mower to highest setting

  • Taller grass = deeper roots + better drought resistance

✔️ Mow LESS

  • About every 2 weeks

This helps grass survive the upcoming dry season.

🌍 Gardening With Purpose

Gardening is more than growing plants — it’s preserving life.

When you grow heirloom or native seeds, you:

  • Protect rare plant varieties

  • Preserve biodiversity

  • Support future food security

Even small gardens play a role in global resilience.

🔗 Resources & Products Mentioned

Book a consultation with Colleen: http://atxgardens.com/

Sunscreen: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08Y9B73QB?tag=atxgardens-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1

Bug Repellent: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003FBPFJW?tag=atxgardens-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1

Sun Hat from Tula: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0047E1YBE?tag=atxgardens-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1

Lightweight pants: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09WZ6LDXS?tag=atxgardens-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1

Tags for Trees: https://amzn.to/4mDMmBw

Article about Ukrainian Seed Bank: https://english.elpais.com/international/2025-11-21/the-secret-journey-of-one-of-ukraines-treasures-its-seed-bank.html

Donate to CTSS: centexseedsavers.org

Sheet mulching instructions: https://www.atxgardens.com/podcast/sheet-mulching-instructions

🌼 Stay Connected

For more Central Texas gardening guidance, visit http://ATXGardens.com , follow Colleen on Instagram @‌ATXGardens_, and subscribe to the ATXGardens Podcast for seasonal, science-based gardening advice tailored to Austin and the surrounding region.

Colleen Dieter
Next

Sheet Mulching Instructions