What to Plant in May
USDA Zone 7b
Last frost: Mar 15 – Apr 1
Frost-free days: 190–220
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
Dill
Eggplant
Beans (bush)
Beans (pole)
Cucumbers
Summer Squash
Winter Squash
Pumpkins
Corn
Carrots
Beets
Radishes
Sweet Potatoes
Watermelon
Cantaloupe
Okra
Transplant 5
Move these seedlings from indoors to your garden beds.
Eggplant
Apr 15 – May 1
1 per sq ft
70–90 days
Watermelon
Apr 15 – May 1
¼ per sq ft
70–90 days
Cantaloupe
Apr 15 – May 1
Okra
Apr 15 – May 1
1 per sq ft
50–65 days
Sweet Potatoes
May 1–15
1 per sq ft
90–120 days
Direct Sow 12
Plant these seeds directly into the soil outdoors.
Carrots
Feb 15 – Aug 1
16 per sq ft
70–80 days
Beets
Feb 15 – Aug 1
9 per sq ft
50–70 days
Radishes
Feb 15 – Oct 1
16 per sq ft
22–30 days
Dill
Mar 15 – May 1
4 per sq ft
40–60 days
Beans (bush)
Apr 5 – Jul 15
9 per sq ft
50–60 days
Beans (pole)
Apr 5 – Jun 1
Corn
Apr 5 – Jul 1
1 per sq ft
60–100 days
Cucumbers
Apr 10 – Jun 15
2 per sq ft
50–70 days
Summer Squash
Apr 10 – Jun 15
Winter Squash
Apr 10 – May 15
Pumpkins
Apr 10 – May 15
¼ per sq ft
85–120 days
Okra
Apr 15 – May 1
1 per sq ft
50–65 days
May Gardening Tips
- Watermelon, Eggplant, Sweet Potatoes can be transplanted outside this month. Harden off seedlings over 5–7 days before planting out.
- Direct sow Corn, Carrots, Beets 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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