What to Plant in May

Salt Lake City, UT · Zone 6b

Last frost: Apr 15 Frost-free days: 183

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
Mint
Oregano
Parsley
Sage
Thyme
Artichoke
Beans (Bush)
Beet
Broccoli
Brussels Sprouts
Cabbage
Carrot
Cauliflower
Celery
Garlic
Kale
Leek
Lettuce
Onion
Peas
Potato
Radish
Spinach
Squash
Strawberry
Swiss Chard
Turnip
Zucchini

Start Indoors 11

Start these seeds indoors under grow lights or on a sunny windowsill.

Broccoli
Broccoli
Feb 8 – May 8
1 per sq ft 60–100 days
Cabbage
Cabbage
Feb 8 – May 8
1 per sq ft 70–100 days
Cauliflower
Cauliflower
Feb 8 – May 8
1 per sq ft 55–100 days
Kale
Kale
Feb 15 – May 23
1 per sq ft 50–65 days
Strawberry
Strawberry
Feb 15 – May 8
4 per sq ft 60–90 days
Lettuce
Lettuce
Mar 1 – May 8
4 per sq ft 45–60 days
Swiss Chard
Swiss Chard
Mar 1 – Jun 8
4 per sq ft 50–60 days
Basil
Basil
Apr 24 – Jun 8
4 per sq ft 25–35 days
Squash
Squash
May 1 – Jun 8
1 per sq ft 45–65 days
Zucchini
Zucchini
May 1 – Jun 8
1 per sq ft 45–60 days
Cucumber
Cucumber
May 9–23
2 per sq ft 50–70 days Growing guide

Transplant 21

Move these seedlings from indoors to your garden beds.

Plant now

Chives
Chives
Apr 1 – Jun 23
9 per sq ft 60–90 days
Mint
Mint
Apr 1 – Jun 23
4 per sq ft 60–90 days
Parsley
Parsley
Apr 1 – Jul 8
4 per sq ft 70–90 days
Broccoli
Broccoli
Apr 1 – Jun 30
1 per sq ft 60–100 days
Brussels Sprouts
Brussels Sprouts
Apr 1 – Jun 30
1 per sq ft 80–110 days
Cabbage
Cabbage
Apr 1 – Jun 30
1 per sq ft 70–100 days
Cauliflower
Cauliflower
Apr 1 – Jun 30
1 per sq ft 55–100 days
Kale
Kale
Apr 1 – Jul 8
1 per sq ft 50–65 days
Leek
Leek
Apr 1 – Jun 15
4 per sq ft 90–150 days
Lettuce
Lettuce
Apr 1 – Jun 8
4 per sq ft 45–60 days
Onion
Onion
Apr 1 – Jun 23
9 per sq ft 100–120 days
Spinach
Spinach
Apr 1 – May 31
9 per sq ft 35–50 days
Strawberry
Strawberry
Apr 1 – Jun 23
4 per sq ft 60–90 days
Swiss Chard
Swiss Chard
Apr 1 – Jul 8
4 per sq ft 50–60 days
Oregano
Oregano
Apr 24 – Jun 15
1 per sq ft 60–90 days
Sage
Sage
Apr 24 – May 31
1 per sq ft 75–90 days
Thyme
Thyme
Apr 24 – Jun 8
4 per sq ft 70–90 days
Artichoke
Artichoke
Apr 24 – Jun 30
1 per sq ft 85–100 days
Celery
Celery
Apr 24 – Jun 30
4 per sq ft 80–120 days

Later this month

Squash
Squash
May 24 – Jun 30
1 per sq ft 45–65 days
Zucchini
Zucchini
May 24 – Jun 30
1 per sq ft 45–60 days

Direct Sow 10

Plant these seeds directly into the soil outdoors.

Garlic
Garlic
Jan 1 – Jun 30
9 per sq ft 180–240 days
Cilantro
Cilantro
Mar 1 – Jun 8
9 per sq ft 30–45 days
Turnip
Turnip
Mar 1 – Jul 8
9 per sq ft 30–60 days
Beet
Beet
Mar 9 – Jul 8
9 per sq ft 50–70 days
Peas
Peas
Mar 9 – Jun 23
8 per sq ft 55–70 days
Radish
Radish
Mar 9 – Jun 8
16 per sq ft 22–30 days
Carrot
Carrot
Mar 17 – Jul 16
16 per sq ft 70–80 days
Potato
Potato
Apr 16 – Jul 16
1 per sq ft 70–150 days
Dill
Dill
May 9 – Jul 16
4 per sq ft 40–60 days
Beans (Bush)
Beans (Bush)
May 9 – Jun 30
9 per sq ft 50–60 days

May Gardening Tips

  • Start Cucumber, Squash, Zucchini indoors now to give them a head start before transplanting outside.
  • Squash, Zucchini, Lettuce can be transplanted outside this month. Harden off seedlings over 5–7 days before planting out.
  • Direct sow Beans (Bush), Carrot, Peas 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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