By Kelsey Deckert, Horticulture agent

NDSU Extension - Burleigh County

We are rounding out the month of May already! Is anyone else wondering where the month went?

May is the month for planting gardens. Somebody asked me just last week, “Have you planted your garden yet?” When I get asked this in mid-May, I tend to chuckle to myself before I give my spiel on why my garden isn’t planted yet.

Living in the central part of the state, around mid-May is our last frost date. I have learned my lesson, as many experienced gardeners have.

Several years ago, early May was beautiful and warm. On Mother’s Day weekend that year, temperatures were above 70 degrees Fahrenheit, and I went ahead and planted my garden. It was about a week later when frost hit; my gardening season just ended before it started. I purchased more seeds and plants and replanted. From that lesson, I never plant prior to Memorial Day weekend. I learned that patience is the best practice for getting past the last potential frost date.

Each year, when I am preparing for my garden, I always add something new to the garden or landscape. I have gotten used to my husband putting up a new bed, new planters or even new yard décor for Mother’s Day. It has become routine each year for the last few years for him to ask what this year’s yard or garden project will be. We always complete the new project before even thinking about planting the garden.

In April, after attending Gardening Day Saturday in Grand Forks, I decided what my Mother’s Day project was going to be. I listened to a speaker from Bailey’s Nursery give a presentation titled “All About Hydrangeas.” The presentation focused on the breeding process and how varieties were developed.

At the end of the presentation, he shared his top recommended varieties for North Dakota. I wrote them down and spent a good portion of the drive home going down a rabbit hole about hardy, compact varieties. I have always liked hydrangeas and have wanted to get a hydrangea tree for my yard.

As I was researching, my husband said, “Do I even need to ask what this year’s project is going to be?” So rather than sharing the variety of hydrangea I was going to plant, I explained I needed a new bed for them and the perfect place for it. He surprised me not only with the hydrangea bed, but also with a second bed next to it for perennials.

We wrapped up that project last week, and I can’t wait to see it come to life this growing season. If you are wondering which variety I chose, I landed on Little Lime Punch Panicle Hydrangea. 

As I finish writing this column, the answer to “Have you planted your garden yet?” is no. Once my Mother’s Day project is finished each year, then I move on to choosing seeds and flowers for my garden beds. This Memorial Day weekend, you will find me out in the garden planting. I have my seeds and flowers ready to go.

For more information about gardening, contact your local NDSU Extension agent. Find the Extension office for your county at https://www.ndsu.edu/agriculture/extension/extension-county-offices.

NDSU Agriculture Communication – May 19, 2026

Source: Kelsey Deckert, 701-221-6865, kelsey.j.deckert@ndsu.edu

Editor: Dominic Erickson, 701-231-5546, dominic.erickson@ndsu.edu