Late spring in Central Indiana is a busy time for gardeners, with Zone 6a bursting into life. With cooler weather in the forecast this weekend, it’s the perfect moment to tackle key tasks to set your garden up for a thriving summer. Here are five essential gardening activities to focus on May 31–June 1, 2025, to boost your garden’s health and beauty.

spring thyme pruning — Spring ‘thyme’ pruning

1. Prune Spring Bloomers for Stronger Growth

Spring-flowering shrubs like lilacs, forsythia, and azaleas are finishing their blooms. Now’s the time to prune them to encourage healthy growth and next year’s flowers. Use clean, sharp pruners to remove dead or crossing branches and shape the shrub lightly—avoid cutting more than a third of the plant. This task promotes air circulation and keeps your garden tidy. Tip: Compost the clippings or use them as mulch for non-edible plants.

2. Protect or Delay Warm-Season Plantings (2025 specific, normally this is not a concern by this date)

With temperatures expected to dip below 50°F this weekend, hold off on planting warm-season crops like tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers until next weekend (June 7–8), when warmer weather is likely. If you’ve already planted these heat-loving veggies, cover them with frost blankets, cloches, or even old bedsheets overnight to shield them from the chill. Ensure covers are secure but allow some airflow to prevent mold. Planning ahead now saves you from replanting later.

3. Plant Purple Coneflower for Pollinators

Boost your garden’s ecosystem by adding native plants like Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea). This hardy perennial thrives in Central Indiana’s climate, attracting bees and butterflies with its vibrant purple blooms. Plant it in a sunny spot with well-drained soil this weekend—its deep roots make it drought-tolerant once established. Pair it with other natives like Black-Eyed Susan for a low-maintenance pollinator haven.

4. Test and Feed Your Soil

Healthy soil is the foundation of a thriving garden. Use this weekend to inspect your soil’s nutrient levels with a home kit or send a sample to a local extension service. Most Central Indiana soils lean slightly alkaline due to our limestone bedrock. While the alkaline soil provides a solid anchor point the base soil can block nutrient uptake for your plants. Sprinkling worm and/or aged cow compost around the base of your plants can provide a slow release nutrient every time you or nature waters your plant.

5. Mulch Beds?

Before you spend a lot of money and back bending effort read this article. There is a time and place for mulch. This article will help you decide if this is the right time and place for your garden.

Get Personalized Help from Flourish and Plot

Need guidance on pruning, protecting crops, or choosing the best natives for your yard? Flourish and Plot Garden Consultancy offers personalized coaching, consultations, and workshops tailored to Central Indiana gardeners. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned grower, we’ll help you create a sustainable, vibrant garden. Book a session today at here.

Happy gardening, and enjoy your weekend in the dirt!

What to do in Your Garden This Weekend