What to Plant in May in Zone 3
226 crops you can start in zone 3a & 3b during May. The dates are worked out from zone 3's typical frosts: last spring frost around May 30, first fall frost around Sep 5. Each crop links to its full dates for zone 3.
Start indoors in May
Seeds to start under lights or on a sunny sill this month. Dates are the indoor-start window for zone 3.
Vegetables & herbs
- Celtuce (Stem Lettuce)May 2–May 9
- CucumberMay 9–May 16
- Escarole (Endive)May 2–May 9
- LettuceMay 2–May 9
- Napa Cabbage (Chinese Cabbage)May 2–May 9
- PurslaneMay 9–May 16
- RadicchioMay 2–May 9
- Summer Squash (Yellow)May 9–May 16
- Swiss ChardMay 2–May 9
- WatercressMay 9–May 16
- ZucchiniMay 9–May 16
Flowers
- Agrostemma (Corn Cockle)May 2–May 9
- Carthamus (Safflower)May 2–May 9
- Clarkia (Farewell-to-Spring)May 2–May 9
- Cynoglossum (Chinese Forget-Me-Not)May 2–May 9
- Saponaria (Soapwort)May 9–May 16
- Scarlet Runner BeanMay 9–May 16
- ZinniaMay 2–May 9
Sow or plant outside in May
What goes in the ground this month, either as seed or as a transplant. Dates are the planting-out window for zone 3.
Vegetables & herbs
- AniseDirect sowMay 30–Jun 6
- AsparagusDirect sowMay 16–May 23
- BeetDirect sowMay 9–May 16
- Belgian Endive (Witloof)Direct sowMay 30–Jun 6
- Bok ChoySow or transplantMay 30–Jun 6
- BorageDirect sowMay 30–Jun 6
- BroccoliTransplantMay 16–May 23
- Broccoli Rabe (Raab)Direct sowMay 9–May 16
- BroccoliniTransplantMay 30–Jun 6
- Brussels SproutsTransplantMay 16–May 23
- CabbageTransplantMay 16–May 23
- CarawayDirect sowMay 9–May 16
- CarrotDirect sowMay 9–May 16
- CatnipSow or transplantMay 30–Jun 6
- CauliflowerTransplantMay 16–May 23
- Celeriac (Celery Root)TransplantMay 16–May 23
- CeleryTransplantMay 16–May 23
- Celtuce (Stem Lettuce)Sow or transplantMay 9–May 16
- Chamomile (German)TransplantMay 30–Jun 6
- ChervilSow or transplantMay 16–May 23
- ChivesSow or transplantMay 16–May 23
- CilantroDirect sowMay 30–Jun 6
- Claytonia (Miner's Lettuce)Direct sowMay 30–Jun 6
- Collard GreensSow or transplantMay 9–May 16
- Cutting Celery (Leaf Celery)Sow or transplantMay 30–Jun 6
- Daikon RadishDirect sowMay 30–Jun 6
- Dandelion (Cultivated)Direct sowMay 30–Jun 6
- DillDirect sowMay 23–May 30
- Escarole (Endive)Sow or transplantMay 16–May 23
- Fava Bean (Broad Bean)Direct sowMay 9–May 16
- Flower SproutsTransplantMay 16–May 23
- Gai Lan (Chinese Broccoli)Direct sowMay 16–May 23
- HorehoundDirect sowMay 16–May 23
- KaleSow or transplantMay 9–May 16
- KalettesTransplantMay 16–May 23
- KohlrabiSow or transplantMay 16–May 23
- KomatsunaDirect sowMay 16–May 23
- LeekTransplantMay 9–May 16
- LettuceSow or transplantMay 16–May 23
- Licorice MarigoldDirect sowMay 30–Jun 6
- Mâche (Corn Salad)Direct sowMay 2–May 9
- Magenta SpreenDirect sowMay 9–May 16
- MizunaDirect sowMay 9–May 16
- MugwortDirect sowMay 30–Jun 6
- Mustard GreensDirect sowMay 9–May 16
- Napa Cabbage (Chinese Cabbage)Sow or transplantMay 30–Jun 6
- OnionTransplantMay 9–May 16
- Orach (Mountain Spinach)Direct sowMay 16–May 23
- ParsleySow or transplantMay 16–May 23
- Parsley Root (Hamburg Parsley)Direct sowMay 30–Jun 6
- ParsnipDirect sowMay 16–May 23
- PotatoDirect sowMay 16–May 23
- PurslaneSow or transplantMay 30–Jun 6
- RadicchioSow or transplantMay 30–Jun 6
- RadishDirect sowMay 2–May 9
- RhubarbDirect sowMay 16–May 23
- SalsifyDirect sowMay 30–Jun 6
- SaltwortDirect sowMay 30–Jun 6
- Scallion (Green Onion)Direct sowMay 16–May 23
- Scorzonera (Black Salsify)Direct sowMay 30–Jun 6
- ShallotDirect sowMay 9–May 16
- SorrelSow or transplantMay 16–May 23
- SpinachDirect sowMay 2–May 9
- Summer SavorySow or transplantMay 30–Jun 6
- Sunchoke (Jerusalem Artichoke)Direct sowMay 16–May 23
- Swiss ChardSow or transplantMay 16–May 23
- TansyDirect sowMay 16–May 23
- TatsoiDirect sowMay 9–May 16
- TurnipDirect sowMay 9–May 16
- Upland CressDirect sowMay 23–May 30
- WatercressSow or transplantMay 16–May 23
- Wild BergamotDirect sowMay 2–May 9
Fruit
- ApplePlant a nursery startMay 16–May 23
- Aronia (Black Chokeberry)Plant a nursery startMay 16–May 23
- BlueberryPlant a nursery startMay 2–May 9
- CurrantPlant a nursery startMay 2–May 9
- ElderberryPlant a nursery startMay 16–May 23
- GooseberryPlant a nursery startMay 2–May 9
- Honeyberry (Haskap)Plant a nursery startMay 16–May 23
- LingonberryPlant a nursery startMay 16–May 23
- Nanking CherryPlant a nursery startMay 2–May 9
- RaspberryPlant a nursery startMay 2–May 9
- Serviceberry (Juneberry)Plant a nursery startMay 16–May 23
- StrawberryPlant a nursery startMay 9–May 16
Flowers
- African DaisyDirect sowMay 30–Jun 6
- Agrostemma (Corn Cockle)Sow or transplantMay 16–May 23
- Amaranthus (Love-Lies-Bleeding)Sow or transplantMay 30–Jun 6
- Ammi (False Queen Anne's Lace)Sow or transplantMay 30–Jun 6
- Ammobium (Winged Everlasting)TransplantMay 30–Jun 6
- AstilbeDirect sowMay 16–May 23
- Bachelor's Button (Cornflower)Sow or transplantMay 16–May 23
- Basket-of-GoldDirect sowMay 16–May 23
- Bells of IrelandSow or transplantMay 23–May 30
- Black-Eyed SusanSow or transplantMay 9–May 16
- Bleeding HeartDirect sowMay 2–May 9
- Bupleurum (Thoroughwax)Sow or transplantMay 16–May 23
- CalendulaSow or transplantMay 16–May 23
- California BluebellDirect sowMay 30–Jun 6
- California PoppyDirect sowMay 16–May 23
- CandytuftDirect sowMay 16–May 23
- CarnationTransplantMay 23–May 30
- Carthamus (Safflower)Sow or transplantMay 30–Jun 6
- Cerinthe (Honeywort)Sow or transplantMay 30–Jun 6
- Clarkia (Farewell-to-Spring)Sow or transplantMay 9–May 16
- Corn PoppyDirect sowMay 16–May 23
- Cynoglossum (Chinese Forget-Me-Not)Sow or transplantMay 9–May 16
- Didiscus (Blue Lace Flower)Direct sowMay 30–Jun 6
- Euphorbia (Snow-on-the-Mountain)Sow or transplantMay 30–Jun 6
- Forget-Me-NotDirect sowMay 16–May 23
- GladiolusPlant bulbsMay 16–May 23
- HollyhockDirect sowMay 16–May 23
- HostaDirect sowMay 16–May 23
- Johnny Jump UpTransplantMay 16–May 23
- LarkspurDirect sowMay 2–May 9
- Lavatera (Annual Mallow)Direct sowMay 30–Jun 6
- Liatris (Blazing Star)Plant bulbsMay 16–May 23
- Love-in-a-Mist (Nigella)Direct sowMay 16–May 23
- Maiden PinksDirect sowMay 16–May 23
- MoonflowerSow or transplantMay 30–Jun 6
- Orlaya (Laceflower)Sow or transplantMay 23–May 30
- Pansy / ViolaTransplantMay 16–May 23
- Penstemon (Beardtongue)Direct sowMay 2–May 9
- Phacelia (Lacy Phacelia)Direct sowMay 9–May 16
- Phlox (Annual)Sow or transplantMay 23–May 30
- Purple ConeflowerSow or transplantMay 9–May 16
- RanunculusPlant bulbsMay 23–May 30
- Rock SoapwortDirect sowMay 16–May 23
- Saponaria (Soapwort)Sow or transplantMay 9–May 16
- SnapdragonTransplantMay 23–May 30
- StockTransplantMay 30–Jun 6
- StrawflowerSow or transplantMay 30–Jun 6
- SunflowerDirect sowMay 30–Jun 6
- Sweet AlyssumSow or transplantMay 30–Jun 6
- Sweet Annie (Artemisia)Sow or transplantMay 30–Jun 6
- Sweet WilliamTransplantMay 23–May 30
- Veronica (Speedwell)Direct sowMay 16–May 23
- Xeranthemum (Immortelle)Sow or transplantMay 30–Jun 6
- YarrowSow or transplantMay 30–Jun 6
Still time to start indoors
The usual indoor-start date for these has passed, but planting-out hasn't come yet. Seed started now still makes a transplant, just a smaller one. Buying starts is the easy alternative. Dates are when they go outside.
Vegetables & herbs
- BasilPlant outJun 13–Jun 20
- Ground Cherry (Husk Cherry)Plant outJun 20–Jun 27
- HyssopPlant outJun 6–Jun 13
- Lemon BalmPlant outJun 6–Jun 13
- RosellePlant outJun 13–Jun 20
- TobaccoPlant outJun 13–Jun 20
- TomatilloPlant outJun 20–Jun 27
- TomatoPlant outJun 13–Jun 20
- ValerianPlant outJun 6–Jun 13
Peppers
- 7 Pot Douglah Pepper (Chocolate 7 Pot)Plant outJun 13–Jun 20
- 7 Pot Primo PepperPlant outJun 13–Jun 20
- Aji Amarillo PepperPlant outJun 13–Jun 20
- Anaheim Pepper (New Mexico, Hatch)Plant outJun 13–Jun 20
- Bell PepperPlant outJun 13–Jun 20
- Carolina Reaper PepperPlant outJun 13–Jun 20
- Cayenne PepperPlant outJun 13–Jun 20
- Chile de Árbol PepperPlant outJun 13–Jun 20
- Cubanelle PepperPlant outJun 13–Jun 20
- Datil PepperPlant outJun 13–Jun 20
- Dorset Naga PepperPlant outJun 13–Jun 20
- Fresno PepperPlant outJun 13–Jun 20
- Ghost Pepper (Bhut Jolokia)Plant outJun 13–Jun 20
- Guajillo Pepper (Mirasol)Plant outJun 13–Jun 20
- Habanero PepperPlant outJun 13–Jun 20
- Hungarian Wax PepperPlant outJun 13–Jun 20
- Italian Frying Pepper (Corno di Toro, Marconi)Plant outJun 13–Jun 20
- Jalapeño PepperPlant outJun 13–Jun 20
- Komodo Dragon PepperPlant outJun 13–Jun 20
- Lemon Drop PepperPlant outJun 13–Jun 20
- Mini Sweet Pepper (Snacking)Plant outJun 13–Jun 20
- Naga Viper PepperPlant outJun 13–Jun 20
- Padrón PepperPlant outJun 13–Jun 20
- Pasilla Pepper (Chilaca)Plant outJun 13–Jun 20
- Pimento PepperPlant outJun 13–Jun 20
- Poblano Pepper (Ancho)Plant outJun 13–Jun 20
- Rocoto PepperPlant outJun 13–Jun 20
- Scotch Bonnet PepperPlant outJun 13–Jun 20
- Serrano PepperPlant outJun 13–Jun 20
- Shishito PepperPlant outJun 13–Jun 20
- Superhot Pepper (Ghost, Reaper, Scorpion)Plant outJun 13–Jun 20
- Sweet Banana PepperPlant outJun 13–Jun 20
- Sweet Cherry PepperPlant outJun 13–Jun 20
- Tabasco PepperPlant outJun 13–Jun 20
- Thai Chili Pepper (Bird's Eye)Plant outJun 13–Jun 20
- Trinidad Moruga Scorpion PepperPlant outJun 13–Jun 20
- Trinidad Scorpion Butch T PepperPlant outJun 13–Jun 20
Flowers
- Ageratum (Flossflower)Plant outJun 6–Jun 13
- Angelonia (Summer Snapdragon)Plant outJun 13–Jun 20
- Annual Geranium (Pelargonium)Plant outJun 6–Jun 13
- Black-Eyed Susan VinePlant outJun 13–Jun 20
- Butterfly Weed (Asclepias)Plant outJun 6–Jun 13
- Campanula (Bellflower)Plant outJun 6–Jun 13
- CelosiaPlant outJun 6–Jun 13
- China AsterPlant outJun 6–Jun 13
- Cleome (Spider Flower)Plant outJun 13–Jun 20
- ColeusPlant outJun 13–Jun 20
- ColumbinePlant outJun 6–Jun 13
- CosmosPlant outJun 6–Jun 13
- Craspedia (Drumstick Flower)Plant outJun 6–Jun 13
- Dusty MillerPlant outJun 6–Jun 13
- Echinops (Globe Thistle)Plant outJun 6–Jun 13
- Eryngium (Sea Holly)Plant outJun 6–Jun 13
- EucalyptusPlant outJun 6–Jun 13
- Gaillardia (Blanket Flower)Plant outJun 6–Jun 13
- GazaniaPlant outJun 6–Jun 13
- Gomphrena (Globe Amaranth)Plant outJun 6–Jun 13
- Gypsophila (Baby's Breath)Plant outJun 6–Jun 13
- Helipterum (Paper Daisy)Plant outJun 6–Jun 13
- ImpatiensPlant outJun 13–Jun 20
- LisianthusPlant outJun 6–Jun 13
- LobeliaPlant outJun 6–Jun 13
- MarigoldPlant outJun 6–Jun 13
- Nicotiana (Flowering Tobacco)Plant outJun 6–Jun 13
- PetuniaPlant outJun 13–Jun 20
- Portulaca (Moss Rose)Plant outJun 6–Jun 13
- Salvia (Scarlet Sage)Plant outJun 13–Jun 20
- Scabiosa (Pincushion Flower)Plant outJun 6–Jun 13
- Spilanthes (Toothache Plant)Plant outJun 6–Jun 13
- StaticePlant outJun 6–Jun 13
- Tithonia (Mexican Sunflower)Plant outJun 13–Jun 20
- Torenia (Wishbone Flower)Plant outJun 13–Jun 20
- Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)Plant outJun 13–Jun 20
- Wax BegoniaPlant outJun 13–Jun 20
← April in zone 3 · June in zone 3 →
Keep planning
Growing guides
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May in other zones: zone 2, zone 4, zone 5, zone 6, zone 7, zone 10, zone 11
Worth having in May
Panacea Heavy-Duty Galvanized Tomato CageHeavy-gauge cages that hold a fruit-loaded tomato up, and last for years.Check price on Amazon →Rocky Mountain Goods Flat Soaker HoseSeeps water along a whole row, with no drip emitters to clog.Check price on Amazon →Rachio Smart Hose TimerWaters on a schedule and skips rainy days.Check price on Amazon →
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What to plant in May in zone 3: 226 crops to start indoors or plant outside, including spinach, kale, broccoli, onion, with exact dates for zone 3a and 3b.
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