What to Plant in May
Richmond, VA · Zone 7a
Last frost: Apr 1
Frost-free days: 214
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
Spinach
Squash
Strawberry
Sunflower
Swiss Chard
Turnip
Watermelon
Zucchini
Start Indoors 18
Start these seeds indoors under grow lights or on a sunny windowsill.
Chives
Jan 1 – May 8
9 per sq ft
60–90 days
Mint
Jan 1 – May 16
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Parsley
Jan 1 – Jul 16
4 per sq ft
70–90 days
Artichoke
Jan 1 – May 16
1 per sq ft
85–100 days
Kale
Jan 1 – Aug 8
1 per sq ft
50–65 days
Leek
Jan 1 – May 23
4 per sq ft
90–150 days
Onion
Jan 1 – May 31
9 per sq ft
100–120 days
Strawberry
Jan 1 – May 31
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Oregano
Jan 17 – May 16
1 per sq ft
60–90 days
Swiss Chard
Jan 17 – Aug 31
4 per sq ft
50–60 days
Sunflower
Mar 1 – May 23
1 per sq ft
70–100 days
Squash
Mar 17 – Jun 23
1 per sq ft
45–65 days
Zucchini
Mar 17 – Jun 30
1 per sq ft
45–60 days
Cucumber
Apr 9 – Jun 15
2 per sq ft
50–70 days
Growing guide
Melon
Apr 9 – May 8
½ per sq ft
70–90 days
Okra
Apr 9 – May 31
1 per sq ft
50–65 days
Basil
Apr 16 – Jun 8
4 per sq ft
25–35 days
Watermelon
Apr 16 – May 8
¼ per sq ft
70–90 days
Transplant 32
Move these seedlings from indoors to your garden beds.
Plant now
Chives
Feb 15 – Jul 16
9 per sq ft
60–90 days
Mint
Feb 15 – Jul 16
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Parsley
Feb 15 – Sep 23
4 per sq ft
70–90 days
Broccoli
Feb 15 – Jun 15
1 per sq ft
60–100 days
Brussels Sprouts
Feb 15 – Jun 15
1 per sq ft
80–110 days
Cabbage
Feb 15 – Jun 15
1 per sq ft
70–100 days
Cauliflower
Feb 15 – Jun 15
1 per sq ft
55–100 days
Kale
Feb 15 – Sep 23
1 per sq ft
50–65 days
Leek
Feb 15 – Aug 16
4 per sq ft
90–150 days
Lettuce
Feb 15 – May 23
4 per sq ft
45–60 days
Onion
Feb 15 – Aug 23
9 per sq ft
100–120 days
Spinach
Feb 15 – May 16
9 per sq ft
35–50 days
Strawberry
Feb 15 – Jul 16
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Swiss Chard
Feb 15 – Sep 30
4 per sq ft
50–60 days
Lavender
Mar 9 – May 23
1 per sq ft
90–120 days
Oregano
Mar 9 – Jul 8
1 per sq ft
60–90 days
Rosemary
Mar 9 – Jun 8
1 per sq ft
80–120 days
Sage
Mar 9 – Jun 23
1 per sq ft
75–90 days
Thyme
Mar 9 – Jun 30
4 per sq ft
70–90 days
Artichoke
Mar 9 – Jul 23
1 per sq ft
85–100 days
Celery
Mar 9 – Jun 15
4 per sq ft
80–120 days
Sunflower
Mar 24 – Jun 15
1 per sq ft
70–100 days
Pumpkin
Apr 9 – May 8
¼ per sq ft
85–120 days
Squash
Apr 9 – Jul 16
1 per sq ft
45–65 days
Tomato
Apr 9 – Jun 23
1 per sq ft
65–80 days
Growing guide
Zucchini
Apr 9 – Jul 23
1 per sq ft
45–60 days
Cucumber
May 1 – Jul 8
2 per sq ft
50–70 days
Growing guide
Eggplant
May 1 – Jun 8
1 per sq ft
70–90 days
Pepper
May 1 – Jun 15
1 per sq ft
60–100 days
Growing guide
Melon
May 9 – Jun 8
½ per sq ft
70–90 days
Later this month
Okra
May 17 – Jul 8
1 per sq ft
50–65 days
Watermelon
May 17 – Jun 8
¼ per sq ft
70–90 days
Direct Sow 11
Plant these seeds directly into the soil outdoors.
Garlic
Jan 1 – Sep 23
9 per sq ft
180–240 days
Cilantro
Feb 1 – May 23
9 per sq ft
30–45 days
Beet
Feb 1 – Oct 8
9 per sq ft
50–70 days
Peas
Feb 1 – Jun 15
8 per sq ft
55–70 days
Turnip
Feb 1 – Oct 23
9 per sq ft
30–60 days
Radish
Feb 8 – May 23
16 per sq ft
22–30 days
Carrot
Feb 15 – Sep 8
16 per sq ft
70–80 days
Potato
Mar 1 – Aug 8
1 per sq ft
70–150 days
Dill
Apr 9 – Aug 16
4 per sq ft
40–60 days
Beans (Bush)
Apr 9 – Jul 16
9 per sq ft
50–60 days
Corn
Apr 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.
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