What should I plant in May in Washington, DC?

In May in Washington, DC (zone 7a), you can plant Basil, Chives, Cilantro, Dill, Lavender, and more. These dates are based on local climate data for your area.

When do I plant Basil in Washington, DC?

In Washington, DC (zone 7a), Basil: start seeds indoors May 1 – May 31, transplant outdoors Jun 16 – Jul 16.

When do I plant Chives in Washington, DC?

In Washington, DC (zone 7a), Chives: start seeds indoors Jan 1 – Apr 30, transplant outdoors Mar 9 – Jul 8.

When do I plant Cilantro in Washington, DC?

In Washington, DC (zone 7a), Cilantro: direct sow Feb 22 – May 31 and Sep 16 – Oct 8.

What to Plant in May

Washington, DC · Zone 7a

Last frost: Apr 1 Frost-free days: 218

Full year calendar for Washington

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

Cucumber

Eggplant

Garlic

Kale

Leek

Lettuce

Melon

Okra

Onion

Peas

Pepper

Potato

Radish

Spinach

Squash

Strawberry

Sunflower

Swiss Chard

Tomato

Turnip

Zucchini

Start Indoors 16

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

Parsley

Jan 1 – Jun 15

4 per sq ft 70–90 days

Mint

Jan 9 – May 8

4 per sq ft 60–90 days

Artichoke

Jan 17 – May 8

1 per sq ft 85–100 days

Broccoli

Jan 17 – May 8

1 per sq ft 60–100 days

Cabbage

Jan 17 – May 8

1 per sq ft 70–100 days

Cauliflower

Jan 17 – May 8

1 per sq ft 55–100 days

Kale

Jan 24 – Aug 8

1 per sq ft 50–65 days

Strawberry

Jan 24 – May 23

4 per sq ft 60–90 days

Oregano

Feb 1 – May 16

1 per sq ft 60–90 days

Swiss Chard

Feb 8 – Aug 23

4 per sq ft 50–60 days

Sunflower

Mar 17 – May 16

1 per sq ft 70–100 days

Squash

Apr 1 – Jun 23

1 per sq ft 45–65 days

Zucchini

Apr 1 – Jun 23

1 per sq ft 45–60 days

Okra

Apr 9 – May 23

1 per sq ft 50–65 days

Cucumber

Apr 16 – Jun 15

2 per sq ft 50–70 days Growing guide

Basil

May 1–31

4 per sq ft 25–35 days

Transplant 30

Move these seedlings from indoors to your garden beds.

Plant now

Chives

Mar 9 – Jul 8

9 per sq ft 60–90 days

Mint

Mar 9 – Jul 8

4 per sq ft 60–90 days

Parsley

Mar 9 – Aug 23

4 per sq ft 70–90 days

Broccoli

Mar 9 – Jun 30

1 per sq ft 60–100 days

Brussels Sprouts

Mar 9 – Jun 30

1 per sq ft 80–110 days

Cabbage

Mar 9 – Jun 30

1 per sq ft 70–100 days

Cauliflower

Mar 9 – Jun 30

1 per sq ft 55–100 days

Kale

Mar 9 – Sep 23

1 per sq ft 50–65 days

Leek

Mar 9 – Jul 16

4 per sq ft 90–150 days

Lettuce

Mar 9 – May 31

4 per sq ft 45–60 days

Onion

Mar 9 – Jul 23

9 per sq ft 100–120 days

Spinach

Mar 9 – May 16

9 per sq ft 35–50 days

Strawberry

Mar 9 – Jul 8

4 per sq ft 60–90 days

Swiss Chard

Mar 9 – Sep 23

4 per sq ft 50–60 days

Lavender

Mar 24 – May 23

1 per sq ft 90–120 days

Oregano

Mar 24 – Jul 8

1 per sq ft 60–90 days

Rosemary

Mar 24 – May 31

1 per sq ft 80–120 days

Sage

Mar 24 – Jun 23

1 per sq ft 75–90 days

Thyme

Mar 24 – Jun 23

4 per sq ft 70–90 days

Artichoke

Mar 24 – Jul 16

1 per sq ft 85–100 days

Celery

Mar 24 – Jun 30

4 per sq ft 80–120 days

Sunflower

Apr 9 – Jun 8

1 per sq ft 70–100 days

Squash

Apr 24 – Jul 16

1 per sq ft 45–65 days

Tomato

Apr 24 – Jun 23

1 per sq ft 65–80 days Growing guide

Zucchini

Apr 24 – Jul 16

1 per sq ft 45–60 days

Cucumber

May 9 – Jul 8

2 per sq ft 50–70 days Growing guide

Eggplant

May 9–31

1 per sq ft 70–90 days

Pepper

May 9 – Jun 8

1 per sq ft 60–100 days Growing guide

Later this month

Melon

May 17–31

½ per sq ft 70–90 days

Okra

May 17 – Jun 30

1 per sq ft 50–65 days

Direct Sow 11

Plant these seeds directly into the soil outdoors.

Garlic

Jan 1 – Aug 31

9 per sq ft 180–240 days

Cilantro

Feb 22 – May 31

9 per sq ft 30–45 days

Beet

Feb 22 – Sep 30

9 per sq ft 50–70 days

Peas

Feb 22 – Jun 23

8 per sq ft 55–70 days

Radish

Feb 22 – May 31

16 per sq ft 22–30 days

Turnip

Feb 22 – Oct 16

9 per sq ft 30–60 days

Carrot

Mar 1 – Aug 23

16 per sq ft 70–80 days

Potato

Mar 17 – Jul 31

1 per sq ft 70–150 days

Dill

Apr 24 – Aug 8

4 per sq ft 40–60 days

Beans (Bush)

Apr 24 – Jul 8

9 per sq ft 50–60 days

Corn

Apr 24 – Jun 8

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.