Apply a Balanced Top-Dress of Compost
Late May is prime time to spread a half-inch layer of well-rotted compost around perennials and annuals alike. Compost enriches soil structure and supplies a slow-release cocktail of nutrients. One of my favorite spring rituals, it ensures lupines (Lupinus spp., native to North America and non-invasive) and foxgloves (Digitalis purpurea, native to Europe but potentially self-seeding) get the nourishment they need for sustained blooming!
As compost breaks down, it attracts earthworms whose tunneling aerates the soil, improving drainage and root access. That dynamic underground network supports stronger stems and bigger blooms when midsummer’s heat arrives.