What to Plant in May
USDA Zone 4b
Last frost: May 1 – May 15
Frost-free days: 120–150
Frost may still be possible early in the month. Harden off your indoor seedlings and transplant after your last frost date. Direct sow beans, squash, and cucumbers once the soil warms.
May at a Glance
Indoor
Transplant
Direct Sow
1
5
10
15
20
25
Marigolds
Zinnias
Sunflowers
Nasturtiums
Cosmos
Snapdragons
Calendula
Alyssum
Dahlias
Basil
Cilantro
Dill
Parsley
Chives
Thyme
Oregano
Sage
Rosemary
Mint
Lavender
Tomatoes
Peppers
Eggplant
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Cabbage
Brussels Sprouts
Kale
Lettuce
Spinach
Peas
Beans (bush)
Beans (pole)
Cucumbers
Summer Squash
Winter Squash
Pumpkins
Corn
Carrots
Beets
Radishes
Turnips
Onions (sets)
Onions (seed)
Potatoes
Swiss Chard
Celery
Leeks
Kohlrabi
Start Indoors 4
Start these seeds indoors under grow lights or on a sunny windowsill.
Cucumbers
Apr 15 – May 1
2 per sq ft
50–70 days
Summer Squash
Apr 15 – May 1
Winter Squash
Apr 15 – May 1
Pumpkins
Apr 15 – May 1
¼ per sq ft
85–120 days
Transplant 33
Move these seedlings from indoors to your garden beds.
Plant now
Lettuce
Apr 15 – May 1
4 per sq ft
45–60 days
Onions (seed)
Apr 15 – May 1
9 per sq ft
100–120 days
Kohlrabi
Apr 15 – May 1
Snapdragons
May 1–15
Alyssum
May 1–8
Parsley
May 1–15
4 per sq ft
70–90 days
Chives
May 1–15
9 per sq ft
60–90 days
Mint
May 1–8
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Broccoli
May 1–15
1 per sq ft
60–100 days
Cauliflower
May 1–15
1 per sq ft
55–100 days
Cabbage
May 1–15
1 per sq ft
70–100 days
Brussels Sprouts
May 1–15
1 per sq ft
80–110 days
Kale
May 1–15
1 per sq ft
50–65 days
Swiss Chard
May 1–15
4 per sq ft
50–60 days
Leeks
May 1–15
4 per sq ft
90–150 days
Marigolds
May 15–25
Zinnias
May 15–25
Nasturtiums
May 15–22
Thyme
May 15–22
4 per sq ft
70–90 days
Oregano
May 15–22
1 per sq ft
60–90 days
Sage
May 15–22
1 per sq ft
75–90 days
Lavender
May 15–22
1 per sq ft
90–120 days
Tomatoes
May 15–25
1 per sq ft
65–80 days
Celery
May 15 – Jun 1
4 per sq ft
80–120 days
Later this month
Dahlias
May 20 – Jun 1
Rosemary
May 20–27
1 per sq ft
80–120 days
Peppers
May 20 – Jun 1
1 per sq ft
60–100 days
Cucumbers
May 20 – Jun 1
2 per sq ft
50–70 days
Summer Squash
May 20 – Jun 1
Winter Squash
May 20 – Jun 1
Pumpkins
May 20 – Jun 1
¼ per sq ft
85–120 days
Basil
May 25 – Jun 5
4 per sq ft
25–35 days
Eggplant
May 25 – Jun 5
1 per sq ft
70–90 days
Direct Sow 31
Plant these seeds directly into the soil outdoors.
Plant now
Spinach
Apr 1 – May 1
9 per sq ft
35–50 days
Peas
Apr 1 – May 1
8 per sq ft
55–70 days
Cilantro
Apr 15 – May 15
9 per sq ft
30–45 days
Lettuce
Apr 15 – Jun 1
4 per sq ft
45–60 days
Carrots
Apr 15 – May 15
16 per sq ft
70–80 days
Beets
Apr 15 – May 15
9 per sq ft
50–70 days
Radishes
Apr 15 – Aug 1
16 per sq ft
22–30 days
Turnips
Apr 15 – May 1
9 per sq ft
30–60 days
Onions (sets)
Apr 15 – May 1
9 per sq ft
100–120 days
Potatoes
Apr 15 – May 1
1 per sq ft
70–150 days
Kohlrabi
Apr 15 – May 1
Calendula
May 1–15
Alyssum
May 1–15
Dill
May 1 – Jun 1
4 per sq ft
40–60 days
Parsley
May 1–8
4 per sq ft
70–90 days
Chives
May 1–8
9 per sq ft
60–90 days
Mint
May 1–8
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Kale
May 1–15
1 per sq ft
50–65 days
Swiss Chard
May 1–15
4 per sq ft
50–60 days
Sunflowers
May 15 – Jun 1
1 per sq ft
70–100 days
Nasturtiums
May 15–20
Cosmos
May 15 – Jun 1
Beans (bush)
May 15 – Jun 1
9 per sq ft
50–60 days
Beans (pole)
May 15 – Jun 1
Corn
May 15 – Jun 1
1 per sq ft
60–100 days
Later this month
Marigolds
May 20–27
Zinnias
May 20 – Jun 1
Cucumbers
May 20 – Jun 1
2 per sq ft
50–70 days
Summer Squash
May 20 – Jun 5
Winter Squash
May 20 – Jun 1
Pumpkins
May 20 – Jun 1
¼ per sq ft
85–120 days
May Gardening Tips
- Start Cucumbers, Summer Squash, Winter Squash indoors now to give them a head start before transplanting outside.
- Lettuce, Broccoli, Cabbage can be transplanted outside this month. Harden off seedlings over 5–7 days before planting out.
- Direct sow Corn, Lettuce, 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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