What to Plant in May
Raleigh, NC · Zone 7b
Last frost: Mar 25
Frost-free days: 230
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 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
Mint
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Oregano
Jan 1 – May 23
1 per sq ft
60–90 days
Parsley
Jan 1 – Oct 23
4 per sq ft
70–90 days
Sage
Jan 1 – May 8
1 per sq ft
75–90 days
Artichoke
Jan 1 – May 31
1 per sq ft
85–100 days
Kale
Jan 1 – Aug 23
1 per sq ft
50–65 days
Leek
Jan 1 – Sep 15
4 per sq ft
90–150 days
Onion
Jan 1 – Sep 23
9 per sq ft
100–120 days
Strawberry
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Swiss Chard
Jan 1 – Sep 15
4 per sq ft
50–60 days
Tomato
Feb 8 – May 8
1 per sq ft
65–80 days
Growing guide
Sunflower
Feb 22 – May 23
1 per sq ft
70–100 days
Squash
Mar 9 – Jun 30
1 per sq ft
45–65 days
Zucchini
Mar 9 – Jun 30
1 per sq ft
45–60 days
Cucumber
Apr 1 – Jun 15
2 per sq ft
50–70 days
Growing guide
Melon
Apr 1 – May 16
½ per sq ft
70–90 days
Okra
Apr 1 – May 31
1 per sq ft
50–65 days
Watermelon
Apr 9 – May 16
¼ per sq ft
70–90 days
Basil
Apr 16 – Jun 15
4 per sq ft
25–35 days
Brussels Sprouts
May 1–23
1 per sq ft
80–110 days
Transplant 31
Move these seedlings from indoors to your garden beds.
Chives
Jan 1 – Dec 31
9 per sq ft
60–90 days
Mint
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Strawberry
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Lettuce
Jan 9 – May 23
4 per sq ft
45–60 days
Swiss Chard
Jan 9 – Oct 16
4 per sq ft
50–60 days
Parsley
Jan 17 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
70–90 days
Leek
Jan 17 – Dec 8
4 per sq ft
90–150 days
Onion
Jan 17 – Dec 16
9 per sq ft
100–120 days
Broccoli
Jan 24 – Jun 15
1 per sq ft
60–100 days
Brussels Sprouts
Jan 24 – Jun 15
1 per sq ft
80–110 days
Cabbage
Jan 24 – Jun 15
1 per sq ft
70–100 days
Cauliflower
Jan 24 – Jun 15
1 per sq ft
55–100 days
Kale
Jan 24 – Oct 8
1 per sq ft
50–65 days
Lavender
Feb 22 – Jun 8
1 per sq ft
90–120 days
Oregano
Feb 22 – Jul 16
1 per sq ft
60–90 days
Rosemary
Feb 22 – Jun 15
1 per sq ft
80–120 days
Sage
Feb 22 – Jun 30
1 per sq ft
75–90 days
Thyme
Feb 22 – Jul 8
4 per sq ft
70–90 days
Artichoke
Feb 22 – Aug 8
1 per sq ft
85–100 days
Celery
Feb 22 – Jun 15
4 per sq ft
80–120 days
Sunflower
Mar 17 – Jun 15
1 per sq ft
70–100 days
Pumpkin
Apr 1 – May 23
¼ per sq ft
85–120 days
Squash
Apr 1 – Jul 23
1 per sq ft
45–65 days
Tomato
Apr 1 – Jun 30
1 per sq ft
65–80 days
Growing guide
Zucchini
Apr 1 – Jul 23
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
Pepper
Apr 24 – Jun 15
1 per sq ft
60–100 days
Growing guide
Melon
May 1 – Jun 15
½ per sq ft
70–90 days
Okra
May 9 – Jul 8
1 per sq ft
50–65 days
Watermelon
May 9 – Jun 15
¼ per sq ft
70–90 days
Direct Sow 12
Plant these seeds directly into the soil outdoors.
Garlic
Jan 1 – Oct 16
9 per sq ft
180–240 days
Cilantro
Jan 9 – May 23
9 per sq ft
30–45 days
Beet
Jan 9 – Dec 31
9 per sq ft
50–70 days
Turnip
Jan 9 – Dec 31
9 per sq ft
30–60 days
Peas
Jan 17 – Jun 8
8 per sq ft
55–70 days
Carrot
Jan 24 – Oct 8
16 per sq ft
70–80 days
Radish
Jan 24 – May 23
16 per sq ft
22–30 days
Potato
Feb 22 – Aug 16
1 per sq ft
70–150 days
Sweet Potato
Apr 1 – May 16
1 per sq ft
90–120 days
Dill
Apr 9 – Aug 23
4 per sq ft
40–60 days
Beans (Bush)
Apr 9 – Jul 23
9 per sq ft
50–60 days
Corn
Apr 9 – Jun 23
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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