What to Plant in May
Phoenix, AZ · Zone 9b
Last frost: Feb 5
Frost-free days: 313
Full summer mode — everything warm-season is in the ground and growing. Keep succession planting beans, squash, and cucumbers. Start heat-tolerant crops for midsummer harvests.
Start Indoors 21
Start these seeds indoors under grow lights or on a sunny windowsill.
Chives
Jan 1 – Dec 31
9 per sq ft
60–90 days
Lavender
Jan 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
90–120 days
Mint
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Oregano
Jan 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
60–90 days
Rosemary
Jan 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
80–120 days
Sage
Jan 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
75–90 days
Thyme
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
70–90 days
Artichoke
Jan 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
85–100 days
Leek
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
90–150 days
Onion
Jan 1 – Dec 31
9 per sq ft
100–120 days
Strawberry
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Sunflower
Jan 1 – Jun 15
1 per sq ft
70–100 days
Tomato
Jan 9 – May 23
1 per sq ft
65–80 days
Growing guide
Pumpkin
Feb 8 – May 16
¼ per sq ft
85–120 days
Squash
Feb 8 – Jul 16
1 per sq ft
45–65 days
Zucchini
Feb 8 – Jul 16
1 per sq ft
45–60 days
Basil
Feb 15 – Aug 8
4 per sq ft
25–35 days
Melon
Mar 1 – May 31
½ per sq ft
70–90 days
Cucumber
Mar 9 – Jun 30
2 per sq ft
50–70 days
Growing guide
Okra
Mar 9 – Jun 15
1 per sq ft
50–65 days
Watermelon
Mar 17 – May 31
¼ per sq ft
70–90 days
Transplant 26
Move these seedlings from indoors to your garden beds.
Chives
Jan 1 – Dec 31
9 per sq ft
60–90 days
Lavender
Jan 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
90–120 days
Mint
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Oregano
Jan 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
60–90 days
Parsley
Jan 1 – May 16
4 per sq ft
70–90 days
Rosemary
Jan 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
80–120 days
Sage
Jan 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
75–90 days
Thyme
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
70–90 days
Artichoke
Jan 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
85–100 days
Kale
Jan 1 – May 16
1 per sq ft
50–65 days
Leek
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
90–150 days
Onion
Jan 1 – Dec 31
9 per sq ft
100–120 days
Strawberry
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Swiss Chard
Jan 1 – May 16
4 per sq ft
50–60 days
Sunflower
Jan 24 – Jul 8
1 per sq ft
70–100 days
Pumpkin
Mar 1 – Jun 8
¼ per sq ft
85–120 days
Squash
Mar 1 – Aug 8
1 per sq ft
45–65 days
Tomato
Mar 1 – Jul 16
1 per sq ft
65–80 days
Growing guide
Zucchini
Mar 1 – Aug 8
1 per sq ft
45–60 days
Basil
Apr 1 – Sep 23
4 per sq ft
25–35 days
Cucumber
Apr 1 – Jul 23
2 per sq ft
50–70 days
Growing guide
Eggplant
Apr 1 – Jun 30
1 per sq ft
70–90 days
Melon
Apr 1 – Jun 30
½ per sq ft
70–90 days
Pepper
Apr 1 – Jul 8
1 per sq ft
60–100 days
Growing guide
Okra
Apr 16 – Jul 23
1 per sq ft
50–65 days
Watermelon
Apr 16 – Jun 30
¼ per sq ft
70–90 days
Direct Sow 1
Plant these seeds directly into the soil outdoors.
Garlic
Jan 1 – Nov 23
9 per sq ft
180–240 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 Garlic 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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