Garden Keeping Journal - May Edition

Monthly Tips, Inspiration & Checklists for Zone-7 (and neighboring) gardeners

Not gardening in Zone-7?

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Bearded Iris (Iris germanica), in the entry walkway at Juniper Hill Cottage, although I’m really not certain which cultivar since this was before I began to obsessively label all my plants in the landscape.

How was your “May Day” yesterday?

In many parts of the world, May 1st is traditionally the beginning of the summer season. Of course, it's still really spring here in the high country - and technically the summer solstice isn't until mid-June.

Good news! May is about planting and blooms and birds and pollinators.

That said, it’s important to stay alert.

We still have high chances of overnight frosts which can zap the life out of tender annuals, and newly planted perennials that are very young. So, it's wise to keep an eye on the forecast and keep your frost fabric handy until about May-15th or so.

I keep mine rolled up in a bin under a nearby deck - so it’s out of sight, but easy to grab.

And, ironically, May is one of our drier and hotter months. So that means that getting your watering system going and keeping it well maintained is a priority now, as well as mulching and shade.

An important reminder for gardening at elevation:

Our sun is intense up here in the mountains - my big tip for you this month:

A plant labeled “full sun” on it’s label or online doesn’t always mean it thrives in full, unfiltered exposure at 5,000–6,000 feet. Filtered light can make all the difference.

May at Juniper Hill Cottage

A few behind-the-scenes notes from the garden as spring begins to settle in.

🌼What I’m Planting

• Plum Tomato - from a a nursery start - yep, I’m taking a shortcut this year 🤦🏼‍♀️

• Scabiosa ‘Fama White’ *

• Sea Holly (Eryngium zabelii) ‘Big Blue’

• Tall Verbena (Verbena bonariensis)

*direct sowing seeds in the ground

🌼What’s Blooming

• Climbing Rose ‘4th of July’ - it’s so early but it’s busting out striped blooms

• Rosa Banksiae (Lady Banks Rose) ‘Alba Plena’ - this is the white bloom

• Tulipa (tulips) ‘Nora’ - which just happens to share my granddaughter’s name

🌼My Biggest Challenge

Typically May brings some pretty dry and warm weather to the high-country. Because of our elevation at 5,600 feet, the intensity of the sun is very real. While I can’t predict what this month will bring, I did take some precautions.

We extended our rebar shade structure in the courtyard kitchen garden this winter and I use a 40% industrial grade fabric that you barely notice. But it should take the edge off that intense heat and minimize the need to over-water in that space.

I’ll let you know what happens.

🌼Last Month’s Lesson Learned

I need to get ahead of spring.

April carries a long list of garden tasks, and between annual mountain bike events and hosting, and an uptick in local design work, it becomes too much all at once.

It would be luxurious to have extra spring help in the landscape, but the truth is that I choose to do it all myself.

Lesson Learned: Next year I’m going to shift all the soil prep and composting done in February and March rather than leave it for April. That’s the plan anyway.

View from the entry gate into the property with this classic old fashioned rose standing sentry. I wish I could describe the scent. This was one of two plants that were still alive in the mass of overgrowth and weeds when we bought Juniper Hill Cottage. So, I will never know which rose this is, sadly.

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About These Checklists

While we don’t offer garden maintenance services here at The Whiskey Porch, these monthly Garden Keeping Checklists are designed to help you stay on track and feel supported through the seasons.

Whether you’re handling everything yourself or working with a maintenance crew, you’ll find the tips practical and flexible - especially if you’re gardening in or around Prescott, Arizona, or in other Zone-7 and neighboring climates anywhere in the world.

Each checklist reflects the rhythm I experience here in Prescott’s downtown microclimate, so your own garden may vary slightly depending on your elevation, location, and what you’re growing. Generally speaking, these notes align with USDA Zone 7b.

Of course, no two years are exactly alike, even in the same zone. Some seasons bring an early hard freeze in late October, while others hold off until December. Keep that in mind as you plan your tasks.

These guides are geared toward landscape gardens that include mostly perennials, with a sprinkling of annuals, veggies and herbs.

To learn more about why I started this Garden Keeping Journal:

🌿 Introducing the Monthly Garden Keeping Journal

Let’s get into it!

👇🏼The full checklist and detailed guidance that follow below are part of The Gift Library, available to paid members of the porch. Thank you for being a Porch Companion or Studio Steward.