What to Plant in May
Cincinnati, OH · Zone 6b
Last frost: Apr 12
Frost-free days: 193
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
Eggplant
Garlic
Kale
Leek
Lettuce
Melon
Okra
Onion
Peas
Potato
Radish
Spinach
Squash
Strawberry
Sunflower
Swiss Chard
Turnip
Watermelon
Zucchini
Start Indoors 17
Start these seeds indoors under grow lights or on a sunny windowsill.
Mint
Jan 1 – May 8
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Parsley
Jan 1 – Jun 15
4 per sq ft
70–90 days
Artichoke
Jan 17 – May 8
1 per sq ft
85–100 days
Broccoli
Jan 17 – May 8
1 per sq ft
60–100 days
Cabbage
Jan 17 – May 8
1 per sq ft
70–100 days
Cauliflower
Jan 17 – May 8
1 per sq ft
55–100 days
Strawberry
Jan 17 – May 23
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Kale
Jan 24 – Jul 31
1 per sq ft
50–65 days
Oregano
Feb 1 – May 16
1 per sq ft
60–90 days
Lettuce
Feb 1 – May 8
4 per sq ft
45–60 days
Swiss Chard
Feb 1 – Aug 16
4 per sq ft
50–60 days
Sunflower
Mar 17 – May 16
1 per sq ft
70–100 days
Squash
Apr 1 – Jun 23
1 per sq ft
45–65 days
Zucchini
Apr 1 – Jun 23
1 per sq ft
45–60 days
Okra
Apr 9 – May 23
1 per sq ft
50–65 days
Cucumber
Apr 16 – Jun 15
2 per sq ft
50–70 days
Growing guide
Melon
Apr 16 – May 8
½ per sq ft
70–90 days
Transplant 31
Move these seedlings from indoors to your garden beds.
Plant now
Chives
Mar 1 – Jul 8
9 per sq ft
60–90 days
Mint
Mar 1 – Jul 8
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Parsley
Mar 1 – Aug 23
4 per sq ft
70–90 days
Leek
Mar 1 – Jul 8
4 per sq ft
90–150 days
Lettuce
Mar 1 – Jun 8
4 per sq ft
45–60 days
Onion
Mar 1 – Jul 16
9 per sq ft
100–120 days
Spinach
Mar 1 – May 16
9 per sq ft
35–50 days
Strawberry
Mar 1 – Jul 8
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Swiss Chard
Mar 1 – Sep 15
4 per sq ft
50–60 days
Broccoli
Mar 9 – Jun 30
1 per sq ft
60–100 days
Brussels Sprouts
Mar 9 – Jun 30
1 per sq ft
80–110 days
Cabbage
Mar 9 – Jun 30
1 per sq ft
70–100 days
Cauliflower
Mar 9 – Jun 30
1 per sq ft
55–100 days
Kale
Mar 9 – Sep 15
1 per sq ft
50–65 days
Lavender
Mar 24 – May 23
1 per sq ft
90–120 days
Oregano
Mar 24 – Jul 8
1 per sq ft
60–90 days
Rosemary
Mar 24 – Jun 8
1 per sq ft
80–120 days
Sage
Mar 24 – Jun 23
1 per sq ft
75–90 days
Thyme
Mar 24 – Jun 30
4 per sq ft
70–90 days
Artichoke
Mar 24 – Jul 16
1 per sq ft
85–100 days
Celery
Mar 24 – Jun 30
4 per sq ft
80–120 days
Sunflower
Apr 9 – Jun 8
1 per sq ft
70–100 days
Squash
Apr 24 – Jul 16
1 per sq ft
45–65 days
Tomato
Apr 24 – Jun 23
1 per sq ft
65–80 days
Growing guide
Zucchini
Apr 24 – Jul 16
1 per sq ft
45–60 days
Cucumber
May 9 – Jul 8
2 per sq ft
50–70 days
Growing guide
Eggplant
May 9 – Jun 8
1 per sq ft
70–90 days
Pepper
May 9 – Jun 15
1 per sq ft
60–100 days
Growing guide
Later this month
Melon
May 17 – Jun 8
½ per sq ft
70–90 days
Okra
May 17 – Jun 30
1 per sq ft
50–65 days
Watermelon
May 17–31
¼ per sq ft
70–90 days
Direct Sow 11
Plant these seeds directly into the soil outdoors.
Garlic
Jan 1 – Aug 31
9 per sq ft
180–240 days
Cilantro
Mar 1 – Jun 8
9 per sq ft
30–45 days
Beet
Mar 1 – Sep 23
9 per sq ft
50–70 days
Peas
Mar 1 – Jun 30
8 per sq ft
55–70 days
Radish
Mar 1 – Jun 8
16 per sq ft
22–30 days
Turnip
Mar 1 – Oct 8
9 per sq ft
30–60 days
Carrot
Mar 9 – Aug 23
16 per sq ft
70–80 days
Potato
Mar 24 – Jul 23
1 per sq ft
70–150 days
Dill
May 1 – Aug 8
4 per sq ft
40–60 days
Beans (Bush)
May 1 – Jul 16
9 per sq ft
50–60 days
Corn
May 1 – Jun 15
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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