What to Plant in May
USDA Zone 8b
Last frost: Mar 1 – Mar 15
Frost-free days: 220–250
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
Rosemary
Thyme
Oregano
Sage
Beans (bush)
Beans (pole)
Cucumbers
Summer Squash
Winter Squash
Corn
Carrots
Radishes
Sweet Potatoes
Okra
Southern Peas (Cowpeas)
Transplant 5
Move these seedlings from indoors to your garden beds.
Rosemary
Jan 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
80–120 days
Thyme
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
70–90 days
Oregano
Jan 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
60–90 days
Sage
Jan 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
75–90 days
Sweet Potatoes
Apr 15 – May 15
1 per sq ft
90–120 days
Direct Sow 10
Plant these seeds directly into the soil outdoors.
Carrots
Feb 1 – Sep 1
16 per sq ft
70–80 days
Radishes
Feb 1 – Nov 1
16 per sq ft
22–30 days
Beans (bush)
Mar 15 – Aug 1
9 per sq ft
50–60 days
Beans (pole)
Mar 15 – Jul 1
Corn
Mar 15 – Jul 15
1 per sq ft
60–100 days
Cucumbers
Mar 20 – Jul 1
2 per sq ft
50–70 days
Summer Squash
Mar 20 – Jul 1
Winter Squash
Mar 20 – May 1
Okra
Apr 1 – Jun 1
1 per sq ft
50–65 days
Southern Peas (Cowpeas)
Apr 1 – Jul 15
May Gardening Tips
- Sweet Potatoes, Rosemary, Thyme can be transplanted outside this month. Harden off seedlings over 5–7 days before planting out.
- Direct sow Corn, Carrots, Radishes 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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