What to Plant in May
Anchorage, AK · Zone 4b
Last frost: May 15
Frost-free days: 123
Frost may still be possible early in the month. Harden off your indoor seedlings and transplant after your last frost date. Direct sow beans, squash, and cucumbers once the soil warms.
May at a Glance
Indoor
Transplant
Direct Sow
1
5
10
15
20
25
Chives
Cilantro
Mint
Parsley
Artichoke
Beet
Broccoli
Brussels Sprouts
Cabbage
Carrot
Cauliflower
Kale
Leek
Lettuce
Onion
Peas
Radish
Spinach
Strawberry
Swiss Chard
Turnip
Start Indoors 7
Start these seeds indoors under grow lights or on a sunny windowsill.
Broccoli
Mar 9 – May 8
1 per sq ft
60–100 days
Cabbage
Mar 9 – May 8
1 per sq ft
70–100 days
Cauliflower
Mar 9 – May 8
1 per sq ft
55–100 days
Kale
Mar 17 – May 31
1 per sq ft
50–65 days
Lettuce
Apr 1 – Jun 30
4 per sq ft
45–60 days
Spinach
Apr 1 – Jul 16
9 per sq ft
35–50 days
Swiss Chard
Apr 1 – Jun 23
4 per sq ft
50–60 days
Transplant 15
Move these seedlings from indoors to your garden beds.
Chives
May 1–31
9 per sq ft
60–90 days
Mint
May 1–23
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Parsley
May 1 – Jun 30
4 per sq ft
70–90 days
Broccoli
May 1 – Jun 30
1 per sq ft
60–100 days
Brussels Sprouts
May 1–31
1 per sq ft
80–110 days
Cabbage
May 1 – Jun 30
1 per sq ft
70–100 days
Cauliflower
May 1 – Jun 30
1 per sq ft
55–100 days
Kale
May 1 – Jul 16
1 per sq ft
50–65 days
Leek
May 1–16
4 per sq ft
90–150 days
Lettuce
May 1 – Jul 31
4 per sq ft
45–60 days
Onion
May 1–23
9 per sq ft
100–120 days
Spinach
May 1 – Aug 16
9 per sq ft
35–50 days
Strawberry
May 1–23
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Swiss Chard
May 1 – Jul 23
4 per sq ft
50–60 days
Artichoke
May 9–31
1 per sq ft
85–100 days
Direct Sow 6
Plant these seeds directly into the soil outdoors.
Cilantro
Apr 24 – Aug 16
9 per sq ft
30–45 days
Beet
Apr 24 – Jul 23
9 per sq ft
50–70 days
Peas
Apr 24 – Jul 16
8 per sq ft
55–70 days
Radish
Apr 24 – Aug 23
16 per sq ft
22–30 days
Turnip
Apr 24 – Aug 16
9 per sq ft
30–60 days
Carrot
May 1 – Jun 23
16 per sq ft
70–80 days
May Gardening Tips
- Start Lettuce, Broccoli, Cabbage indoors now to give them a head start before transplanting outside.
- Lettuce, Broccoli, Cabbage can be transplanted outside this month. Harden off seedlings over 5–7 days before planting out.
- Direct sow Carrot, Peas, Beet straight into the garden — no transplanting needed.
- Mulch around transplants with 2–3 inches of straw or shredded leaves to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
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