Heads Up, Gardeners: Late May Chill Extends Shrub and Tree Planting Season

(May 2025)  -  If you’ve been enjoying early warmth in Zones 7 and 8, here’s a twist: the polar vortex—normally bottled up over the North Pole—is off track. Forecasts suggest it’s displaced and weakening, potentially drifting toward Northern Europe, with ripple effects reaching the Eastern U.S., including Georgia and surrounding regions.
What does this mean for your landscape?
1. Cooler-than-usual air is likely arriving in late May.
That means a temporary slowdown in warm-season growth. Tender annuals, tropicals, and newly planted perennials may show sluggish development or stress if temps dip below average.
2. Don’t rush your summer vegetable plantings. If you've already planted, consider floating row covers or frost cloths during any cool snaps.
3. Take advantage of the pause.
Cooler weather extends the planting window for spring shrubs, trees, and perennials—especially ServeScape’s Warm Season Shade and Sun Packs. These resilient plants will root in more comfortably before summer heat sets in.
4. Watch your watering.
Cooler weather slows down evaporation. Adjust irrigation to avoid overwatering—particularly in clay-heavy Southern soils.
5. Turf alert: fescue thrives, warm-season grasses wait.
If you're growing fescue, this cooler air is great news. But Bermuda and Zoysia lawns may green up slower, so don’t over-fertilize or mow too low just yet.
Final Word:
Weather shifts like these are more common in a changing climate. ServeScape is here to help you adapt. Our curated collection of locally grown plants, local delivery, and expert advice make it easy to garden with confidence—no matter the forecast.
Want more nerdy plant info: check out Plant Nerd AI