What to Plant in May
Des Moines, IA · Zone 5b
Last frost: Apr 25
Frost-free days: 168
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
Dill
Lavender
Mint
Oregano
Parsley
Rosemary
Sage
Thyme
Artichoke
Beans (Bush)
Beet
Broccoli
Brussels Sprouts
Cabbage
Carrot
Cauliflower
Celery
Corn
Eggplant
Kale
Leek
Lettuce
Okra
Onion
Peas
Potato
Radish
Spinach
Squash
Strawberry
Sunflower
Swiss Chard
Turnip
Zucchini
Start Indoors 15
Start these seeds indoors under grow lights or on a sunny windowsill.
Parsley
Jan 9 – May 23
4 per sq ft
70–90 days
Artichoke
Feb 1 – May 8
1 per sq ft
85–100 days
Broccoli
Feb 1 – May 16
1 per sq ft
60–100 days
Cabbage
Feb 1 – May 16
1 per sq ft
70–100 days
Cauliflower
Feb 1 – May 16
1 per sq ft
55–100 days
Kale
Feb 1 – Jul 8
1 per sq ft
50–65 days
Strawberry
Feb 1 – May 16
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Oregano
Feb 15 – May 8
1 per sq ft
60–90 days
Lettuce
Feb 15 – May 8
4 per sq ft
45–60 days
Swiss Chard
Feb 15 – Jul 31
4 per sq ft
50–60 days
Sunflower
Apr 1 – May 16
1 per sq ft
70–100 days
Squash
Apr 9 – Jun 15
1 per sq ft
45–65 days
Zucchini
Apr 9 – Jun 23
1 per sq ft
45–60 days
Okra
Apr 16 – May 23
1 per sq ft
50–65 days
Cucumber
Apr 24 – Jun 8
2 per sq ft
50–70 days
Growing guide
Transplant 29
Move these seedlings from indoors to your garden beds.
Plant now
Chives
Mar 17 – Jun 30
9 per sq ft
60–90 days
Mint
Mar 17 – Jun 30
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Parsley
Mar 17 – Jul 31
4 per sq ft
70–90 days
Kale
Mar 17 – Aug 23
1 per sq ft
50–65 days
Leek
Mar 17 – Jun 23
4 per sq ft
90–150 days
Lettuce
Mar 17 – Jun 8
4 per sq ft
45–60 days
Onion
Mar 17 – Jun 23
9 per sq ft
100–120 days
Spinach
Mar 17 – May 23
9 per sq ft
35–50 days
Strawberry
Mar 17 – Jun 30
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Swiss Chard
Mar 17 – Aug 31
4 per sq ft
50–60 days
Broccoli
Mar 24 – Jun 15
1 per sq ft
60–100 days
Brussels Sprouts
Mar 24 – Jun 15
1 per sq ft
80–110 days
Cabbage
Mar 24 – Jun 15
1 per sq ft
70–100 days
Cauliflower
Mar 24 – Jun 15
1 per sq ft
55–100 days
Lavender
Apr 9 – May 16
1 per sq ft
90–120 days
Oregano
Apr 9 – Jun 30
1 per sq ft
60–90 days
Rosemary
Apr 9 – May 31
1 per sq ft
80–120 days
Sage
Apr 9 – Jun 15
1 per sq ft
75–90 days
Thyme
Apr 9 – Jun 23
4 per sq ft
70–90 days
Artichoke
Apr 9 – Jul 16
1 per sq ft
85–100 days
Celery
Apr 9 – Jun 15
4 per sq ft
80–120 days
Sunflower
Apr 24 – Jun 8
1 per sq ft
70–100 days
Squash
May 1 – Jul 8
1 per sq ft
45–65 days
Tomato
May 1 – Jun 15
1 per sq ft
65–80 days
Growing guide
Zucchini
May 1 – Jul 16
1 per sq ft
45–60 days
Later this month
Cucumber
May 17 – Jun 30
2 per sq ft
50–70 days
Growing guide
Eggplant
May 17 – Jun 8
1 per sq ft
70–90 days
Pepper
May 17 – Jun 8
1 per sq ft
60–100 days
Growing guide
Okra
May 24 – Jun 30
1 per sq ft
50–65 days
Direct Sow 10
Plant these seeds directly into the soil outdoors.
Cilantro
Mar 17 – Jun 8
9 per sq ft
30–45 days
Beet
Mar 17 – Sep 8
9 per sq ft
50–70 days
Peas
Mar 17 – Jun 15
8 per sq ft
55–70 days
Radish
Mar 17 – Jun 8
16 per sq ft
22–30 days
Turnip
Mar 17 – Sep 30
9 per sq ft
30–60 days
Carrot
Mar 24 – Aug 8
16 per sq ft
70–80 days
Potato
Apr 1 – Jul 8
1 per sq ft
70–150 days
Dill
May 9 – Aug 8
4 per sq ft
40–60 days
Beans (Bush)
May 9 – Jul 8
9 per sq ft
50–60 days
Corn
May 9 – 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.
Nearby Cities
Ready to plan your garden?
Add these crops to your garden plan and get personalized planting reminders for Zone 5b.
Start Planning Free