What to Plant in May
Buffalo, NY · Zone 6a
Last frost: May 5
Frost-free days: 163
Frost is behind you and the soil is warm — this is prime planting season. Most warm-season crops can go directly into the ground now. Transplant the seedlings you started indoors.
May at a Glance
Indoor
Transplant
Direct Sow
1
5
10
15
20
25
Chives
Cilantro
Dill
Lavender
Mint
Oregano
Parsley
Rosemary
Sage
Thyme
Artichoke
Beans (Bush)
Beet
Broccoli
Brussels Sprouts
Cabbage
Carrot
Cauliflower
Celery
Corn
Garlic
Kale
Leek
Lettuce
Okra
Onion
Peas
Potato
Radish
Spinach
Squash
Strawberry
Sunflower
Swiss Chard
Turnip
Zucchini
Start Indoors 17
Start these seeds indoors under grow lights or on a sunny windowsill.
Parsley
Jan 24 – May 31
4 per sq ft
70–90 days
Mint
Feb 1 – May 8
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Artichoke
Feb 15 – May 8
1 per sq ft
85–100 days
Broccoli
Feb 15 – Jun 23
1 per sq ft
60–100 days
Cabbage
Feb 15 – Jun 15
1 per sq ft
70–100 days
Cauliflower
Feb 15 – Jun 23
1 per sq ft
55–100 days
Strawberry
Feb 15 – May 23
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Kale
Feb 22 – Jul 23
1 per sq ft
50–65 days
Oregano
Mar 1 – May 16
1 per sq ft
60–90 days
Lettuce
Mar 1 – Jun 8
4 per sq ft
45–60 days
Spinach
Mar 1 – May 16
9 per sq ft
35–50 days
Swiss Chard
Mar 1 – Aug 8
4 per sq ft
50–60 days
Sunflower
Apr 9 – May 8
1 per sq ft
70–100 days
Squash
Apr 24 – Jun 23
1 per sq ft
45–65 days
Zucchini
Apr 24 – Jun 23
1 per sq ft
45–60 days
Cucumber
May 1 – Jun 8
2 per sq ft
50–70 days
Growing guide
Okra
May 1–23
1 per sq ft
50–65 days
Transplant 27
Move these seedlings from indoors to your garden beds.
Plant now
Chives
Apr 1 – Jul 8
9 per sq ft
60–90 days
Mint
Apr 1 – Jul 8
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Parsley
Apr 1 – Aug 8
4 per sq ft
70–90 days
Brussels Sprouts
Apr 1 – Jul 23
1 per sq ft
80–110 days
Leek
Apr 1 – Jun 30
4 per sq ft
90–150 days
Lettuce
Apr 1 – Jul 8
4 per sq ft
45–60 days
Onion
Apr 1 – Jul 8
9 per sq ft
100–120 days
Spinach
Apr 1 – Jun 15
9 per sq ft
35–50 days
Strawberry
Apr 1 – Jul 8
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Swiss Chard
Apr 1 – Sep 8
4 per sq ft
50–60 days
Broccoli
Apr 9 – Aug 16
1 per sq ft
60–100 days
Cabbage
Apr 9 – Aug 8
1 per sq ft
70–100 days
Cauliflower
Apr 9 – Aug 16
1 per sq ft
55–100 days
Kale
Apr 9 – Sep 8
1 per sq ft
50–65 days
Lavender
Apr 24 – May 16
1 per sq ft
90–120 days
Oregano
Apr 24 – Jul 8
1 per sq ft
60–90 days
Rosemary
Apr 24 – May 31
1 per sq ft
80–120 days
Sage
Apr 24 – Jun 23
1 per sq ft
75–90 days
Thyme
Apr 24 – Jun 23
4 per sq ft
70–90 days
Artichoke
Apr 24 – Jul 16
1 per sq ft
85–100 days
Celery
Apr 24 – Jul 8
4 per sq ft
80–120 days
Sunflower
May 1–31
1 per sq ft
70–100 days
Later this month
Squash
May 17 – Jul 16
1 per sq ft
45–65 days
Tomato
May 17 – Jun 15
1 per sq ft
65–80 days
Growing guide
Zucchini
May 17 – Jul 16
1 per sq ft
45–60 days
Cucumber
May 24 – Jun 30
2 per sq ft
50–70 days
Growing guide
Pepper
May 24 – Jun 8
1 per sq ft
60–100 days
Growing guide
Direct Sow 11
Plant these seeds directly into the soil outdoors.
Plant now
Garlic
Jan 1 – Jul 31
9 per sq ft
180–240 days
Radish
Mar 24 – Jul 8
16 per sq ft
22–30 days
Cilantro
Apr 1 – Jul 8
9 per sq ft
30–45 days
Beet
Apr 1 – Sep 15
9 per sq ft
50–70 days
Peas
Apr 1 – Sep 8
8 per sq ft
55–70 days
Turnip
Apr 1 – Sep 30
9 per sq ft
30–60 days
Carrot
Apr 9 – Aug 8
16 per sq ft
70–80 days
Potato
Apr 16 – Jul 8
1 per sq ft
70–150 days
Later this month
Dill
May 17 – Jul 31
4 per sq ft
40–60 days
Beans (Bush)
May 17 – Jul 8
9 per sq ft
50–60 days
Corn
May 17 – Jun 8
1 per sq ft
60–100 days
May Gardening Tips
- Start Cucumber, Squash, Zucchini indoors now to give them a head start before transplanting outside.
- Tomato, Pepper, Cucumber can be transplanted outside this month. Harden off seedlings over 5–7 days before planting out.
- Direct sow Corn, Beans (Bush), Carrot 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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