What to Plant in May
Memphis, TN · Zone 7b
Last frost: Mar 20
Frost-free days: 235
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
Basil
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
Pumpkin
Radish
Squash
Strawberry
Sunflower
Sweet Potato
Swiss Chard
Turnip
Watermelon
Zucchini
Start Indoors 19
Start these seeds indoors under grow lights or on a sunny windowsill.
Chives
Jan 1 – May 16
9 per sq ft
60–90 days
Mint
Jan 1 – May 23
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Oregano
Jan 1 – May 23
1 per sq ft
60–90 days
Sage
Jan 1 – May 16
1 per sq ft
75–90 days
Artichoke
Jan 1 – May 31
1 per sq ft
85–100 days
Kale
Jan 1 – May 16
1 per sq ft
50–65 days
Leek
Jan 1 – May 31
4 per sq ft
90–150 days
Onion
Jan 1 – Jun 8
9 per sq ft
100–120 days
Strawberry
Jan 1 – Jun 8
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Swiss Chard
Jan 1 – May 31
4 per sq ft
50–60 days
Tomato
Feb 1 – May 8
1 per sq ft
65–80 days
Growing guide
Sunflower
Feb 8 – May 31
1 per sq ft
70–100 days
Squash
Mar 1 – Jun 30
1 per sq ft
45–65 days
Zucchini
Mar 1 – Jul 8
1 per sq ft
45–60 days
Melon
Mar 24 – May 16
½ per sq ft
70–90 days
Okra
Mar 24 – Jun 8
1 per sq ft
50–65 days
Basil
Apr 1 – Jun 30
4 per sq ft
25–35 days
Cucumber
Apr 1 – Jun 15
2 per sq ft
50–70 days
Growing guide
Watermelon
Apr 1 – May 16
¼ per sq ft
70–90 days
Transplant 32
Move these seedlings from indoors to your garden beds.
Plant now
Chives
Jan 17 – Jul 23
9 per sq ft
60–90 days
Mint
Jan 17 – Jul 23
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Parsley
Jan 17 – Jun 30
4 per sq ft
70–90 days
Onion
Jan 17 – Aug 31
9 per sq ft
100–120 days
Strawberry
Jan 17 – Jul 23
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Kale
Jan 24 – Jun 30
1 per sq ft
50–65 days
Leek
Jan 24 – Aug 23
4 per sq ft
90–150 days
Lettuce
Jan 24 – May 16
4 per sq ft
45–60 days
Swiss Chard
Jan 24 – Jun 30
4 per sq ft
50–60 days
Broccoli
Feb 1 – Jun 8
1 per sq ft
60–100 days
Brussels Sprouts
Feb 1 – Jun 8
1 per sq ft
80–110 days
Cabbage
Feb 1 – Jun 8
1 per sq ft
70–100 days
Cauliflower
Feb 1 – Jun 8
1 per sq ft
55–100 days
Lavender
Feb 15 – Jun 8
1 per sq ft
90–120 days
Oregano
Feb 15 – Jul 16
1 per sq ft
60–90 days
Rosemary
Feb 15 – Jun 15
1 per sq ft
80–120 days
Sage
Feb 15 – Jul 8
1 per sq ft
75–90 days
Thyme
Feb 15 – Jul 8
4 per sq ft
70–90 days
Artichoke
Feb 15 – Aug 8
1 per sq ft
85–100 days
Celery
Feb 15 – Jun 8
4 per sq ft
80–120 days
Sunflower
Mar 1 – Jun 23
1 per sq ft
70–100 days
Pumpkin
Mar 24 – May 23
¼ per sq ft
85–120 days
Squash
Mar 24 – Jul 23
1 per sq ft
45–65 days
Tomato
Mar 24 – Jun 30
1 per sq ft
65–80 days
Growing guide
Zucchini
Mar 24 – Jul 31
1 per sq ft
45–60 days
Cucumber
Apr 24 – Jul 8
2 per sq ft
50–70 days
Growing guide
Eggplant
Apr 24 – Jun 15
1 per sq ft
70–90 days
Melon
Apr 24 – Jun 15
½ per sq ft
70–90 days
Pepper
Apr 24 – Jun 23
1 per sq ft
60–100 days
Growing guide
Okra
May 1 – Jul 16
1 per sq ft
50–65 days
Watermelon
May 1 – Jun 15
¼ per sq ft
70–90 days
Later this month
Basil
May 17 – Aug 16
4 per sq ft
25–35 days
Direct Sow 12
Plant these seeds directly into the soil outdoors.
Garlic
Jan 1 – Oct 16
9 per sq ft
180–240 days
Turnip
Jan 9 – Jun 30
9 per sq ft
30–60 days
Cilantro
Jan 17 – May 16
9 per sq ft
30–45 days
Peas
Jan 17 – May 31
8 per sq ft
55–70 days
Beet
Jan 24 – Jun 30
9 per sq ft
50–70 days
Carrot
Jan 24 – Jul 16
16 per sq ft
70–80 days
Radish
Jan 24 – May 16
16 per sq ft
22–30 days
Potato
Feb 15 – Aug 16
1 per sq ft
70–150 days
Sweet Potato
Mar 24 – May 23
1 per sq ft
90–120 days
Dill
Apr 1 – Aug 31
4 per sq ft
40–60 days
Beans (Bush)
Apr 1 – Jul 23
9 per sq ft
50–60 days
Corn
Apr 1 – Jun 30
1 per sq ft
60–100 days
May Gardening Tips
- Start Tomato, Cucumber, Squash 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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