Timely Tips for May in the Low Desert
Tip of the Month
Avoid using overhead sprinklers when possible. While sprinklers mimic natural rainfall, they also cause several problems. Many fungal and bacterial diseases are spread by water splashes. In addition, our salty, alkaline water will bead on leaves and quickly evaporate, leaving behind salts which can burn spots on sensitive plants.
Climate Information for May in Phoenix, Arizona
Rainfall:
- Average: 0.1 inches
- Record: 1.3 inches (1930)
Temperature (degrees F):
- Average High: 93.6 degrees
- Lowest High: 54 degrees (1915)
- Record High: 114 degrees (1910)
- Average Low: 63.9 degrees
- Lowest High: 86 degrees (1983)
- Record Low: 39 degrees (1899)
Note: Rainfall and temperatures vary widely within the valley depending upon elevation and microclimate.
Turf
- Plant Bermuda lawns when soil warms up in mid to late May.
Roses
- Continue fertilizing established roses, liquid fertilizers can be added at 2 week intervals, follow the directions on the container.
Landscape Plants
- Increase water application as the weather warms.
- Tree water use, desert types being the exception, increases rapidly during this period of leafing out and gradually higher air temperatures.
- Apply mulch to the ground around heat sensitive plants; this keeps the roots cooler and prevents evaporation. Be sure to keep the mulch several inches away from the trunk to prevent pest and disease problems.
- If palms are pruned in the spring, leave the top five rows of peels so the caterpillars have a place to hide.
- DO NOT prune citrus except to remove dead or damaged wood and branches obstructing pathways, views, or structures.