I returned to the garden yesterday. Two weeks ago, my deeply loved father passed away. It’s been an emotionally charged time and I’m still processing my grief. I was blessed and privileged to be the daughter of a truly great man. Time heals it is said but I believe that working in the garden is the best therapy there is.
May has arrived in full glory – spreading color and joy everywhere. A
reminder that life must be celebrated. I spent the better part of yesterday gardening in the rain. While not the ideal weather by any measure, it still felt wonderful. With my Open Day just days away, there are a myriad chores to be completed and I must make up for the time I was away. I’ll certainly do my best to have the garden ‘visitor ready’!
For those with more time on hand, here is the general to-do list for May –
- Weed regularly if you want to keep the thugs in check.
- Put stakes in place so that as plants grow it’ll be easy to secure them.
- Deadhead spent blooms for a neat look. Some plants will reward you with a second wave of blooms. Of course, if you want to collect seeds, do not deadhead.
- Water as necessary. Add a splash of compost tea to fertilize – about every 3 weeks.
- Plant in summer vegetables, summer bulbs and tubers and, annuals.
- Keep bird baths filled with clean water. Use mosquito ‘dunks’ to prevent mosquitoes from breeding. The same goes for fountains.
- Start mowing lawns but do the right thing by keeping the mower blade high at about four inches. Leave clippings in place to replenish the soil.
- Make sure all beds, shrubs and trees are mulched to retain moisture and keep weeds from proliferating.
- To take care of weeds in areas that are paved or bricked, pour boiling hot water over them. The weeds will be killed and no chemicals were used!
- Stay vigilant for pests or disease. The earlier you catch a problem, the easier it is to treat them. Always employ organic methods.
- Stir the compost heap regularly. Keep adding in kitchen and garden waste.
- Take time every day to simply enjoy the garden.
- Visit other gardens through the Garden Conservancy’s Open Days Program. You will be vastly instructed and inspired. Www.gardenconservancy.org/opendays
I look forward to seeing some of you this Saturday in my garden!


















(c) 2025 Shobha Vanchiswar
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