What to Plant in May
Seattle, WA · Zone 8b
Last frost: Mar 8
Frost-free days: 257
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.
May at a Glance
Indoor
Transplant
Direct Sow
1
5
10
15
20
25
Chives
Cilantro
Dill
Mint
Oregano
Parsley
Rosemary
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 17
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
Parsley
Jan 1 – Jun 30
4 per sq ft
70–90 days
Leek
Jan 1 – May 8
4 per sq ft
90–150 days
Onion
Jan 1 – May 23
9 per sq ft
100–120 days
Spinach
Jan 1 – May 31
9 per sq ft
35–50 days
Strawberry
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Artichoke
Jan 9 – May 23
1 per sq ft
85–100 days
Broccoli
Jan 9 – Jun 23
1 per sq ft
60–100 days
Cabbage
Jan 9 – Jun 23
1 per sq ft
70–100 days
Cauliflower
Jan 9 – Jun 23
1 per sq ft
55–100 days
Kale
Jan 17 – Jul 16
1 per sq ft
50–65 days
Lettuce
Jan 17 – Aug 23
4 per sq ft
45–60 days
Swiss Chard
Jan 17 – Aug 8
4 per sq ft
50–60 days
Oregano
Jan 24 – May 8
1 per sq ft
60–90 days
Squash
Apr 16 – Jun 8
1 per sq ft
45–65 days
Zucchini
Apr 16 – Jun 15
1 per sq ft
45–60 days
Transplant 23
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
Spinach
Jan 1 – Jun 30
9 per sq ft
35–50 days
Strawberry
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Parsley
Feb 15 – Sep 8
4 per sq ft
70–90 days
Lettuce
Feb 15 – Sep 23
4 per sq ft
45–60 days
Onion
Feb 15 – Aug 16
9 per sq ft
100–120 days
Swiss Chard
Feb 15 – Sep 8
4 per sq ft
50–60 days
Leek
Feb 22 – Jul 31
4 per sq ft
90–150 days
Broccoli
Mar 1 – Aug 16
1 per sq ft
60–100 days
Brussels Sprouts
Mar 1 – Jul 31
1 per sq ft
80–110 days
Cabbage
Mar 1 – Aug 16
1 per sq ft
70–100 days
Cauliflower
Mar 1 – Aug 16
1 per sq ft
55–100 days
Kale
Mar 1 – Aug 31
1 per sq ft
50–65 days
Oregano
Mar 17 – Jun 30
1 per sq ft
60–90 days
Rosemary
Mar 17 – May 23
1 per sq ft
80–120 days
Sage
Mar 17 – Jun 15
1 per sq ft
75–90 days
Thyme
Mar 17 – Jun 23
4 per sq ft
70–90 days
Artichoke
Mar 17 – Jul 31
1 per sq ft
85–100 days
Celery
Mar 17 – Jul 23
4 per sq ft
80–120 days
Squash
May 9 – Jun 30
1 per sq ft
45–65 days
Tomato
May 9–23
1 per sq ft
65–80 days
Growing guide
Zucchini
May 9 – Jul 8
1 per sq ft
45–60 days
Direct Sow 10
Plant these seeds directly into the soil outdoors.
Garlic
Jan 1 – Sep 8
9 per sq ft
180–240 days
Cilantro
Feb 15 – Sep 30
9 per sq ft
30–45 days
Beet
Feb 15 – Sep 15
9 per sq ft
50–70 days
Peas
Feb 15 – Sep 8
8 per sq ft
55–70 days
Turnip
Feb 15 – Oct 16
9 per sq ft
30–60 days
Carrot
Mar 9 – Aug 23
16 per sq ft
70–80 days
Radish
Mar 9 – Oct 8
16 per sq ft
22–30 days
Potato
Mar 24 – Jun 23
1 per sq ft
70–150 days
Dill
May 9 – Jul 23
4 per sq ft
40–60 days
Beans (Bush)
May 9 – Jun 23
9 per sq ft
50–60 days
May Gardening Tips
- Start Squash, Zucchini, Lettuce indoors now to give them a head start before transplanting outside.
- Tomato, Squash, Zucchini 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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