What to Plant in May in Zone 4
247 crops you can start in zone 4a & 4b during May. The dates are worked out from zone 4's typical frosts: last spring frost around May 15, first fall frost around Sep 20. Each crop links to its full dates for zone 4.
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 4.
Vegetables & herbs
- American GinsengDirect sowMay 15–May 22
- AniseDirect sowMay 15–May 22
- AsparagusDirect sowMay 1–May 8
- BasilTransplantMay 29–Jun 5
- Belgian Endive (Witloof)Direct sowMay 15–May 22
- Birdhouse GourdDirect sowMay 29–Jun 5
- Bok ChoySow or transplantMay 15–May 22
- BorageDirect sowMay 15–May 22
- BroccoliTransplantMay 1–May 8
- BroccoliniTransplantMay 15–May 22
- Brussels SproutsTransplantMay 1–May 8
- BurdockDirect sowMay 22–May 29
- Bush BeansDirect sowMay 22–May 29
- CabbageTransplantMay 1–May 8
- CatmintTransplantMay 22–May 29
- CatnipSow or transplantMay 15–May 22
- CauliflowerTransplantMay 1–May 8
- Celeriac (Celery Root)TransplantMay 1–May 8
- CeleryTransplantMay 1–May 8
- Chamomile (German)TransplantMay 15–May 22
- ChervilSow or transplantMay 1–May 8
- ChivesSow or transplantMay 1–May 8
- CilantroDirect sowMay 15–May 22
- Citronella Plant (Mosquito Plant)Plant a nursery startMay 22–May 29
- Claytonia (Miner's Lettuce)Direct sowMay 15–May 22
- CucamelonTransplantMay 29–Jun 5
- CucumberSow or transplantMay 22–May 29
- Cutting Celery (Leaf Celery)Sow or transplantMay 15–May 22
- Daikon RadishDirect sowMay 15–May 22
- Dandelion (Cultivated)Direct sowMay 15–May 22
- DillDirect sowMay 8–May 15
- Edamame (Soybean)Direct sowMay 22–May 29
- EggplantTransplantMay 29–Jun 5
- EpazoteDirect sowMay 15–May 22
- Escarole (Endive)Sow or transplantMay 1–May 8
- Fennel (Florence/bulbing)Sow or transplantMay 29–Jun 5
- Flower SproutsTransplantMay 1–May 8
- Gai Lan (Chinese Broccoli)Direct sowMay 1–May 8
- Garlic Chives (Chinese Leeks)Sow or transplantMay 22–May 29
- HorehoundDirect sowMay 1–May 8
- HorseradishDirect sowMay 22–May 29
- HyssopSow or transplantMay 22–May 29
- KalettesTransplantMay 1–May 8
- KohlrabiSow or transplantMay 1–May 8
- KomatsunaDirect sowMay 1–May 8
- Lemon BalmTransplantMay 22–May 29
- LettuceSow or transplantMay 1–May 8
- Licorice MarigoldDirect sowMay 15–May 22
- LovageTransplantMay 22–May 29
- Luffa GourdSow or transplantMay 22–May 29
- Marjoram (Sweet)TransplantMay 22–May 29
- Mint (Spearmint)Plant a nursery startMay 15–May 22
- Molokhia (Egyptian Spinach)Direct sowMay 29–Jun 5
- MugwortDirect sowMay 15–May 22
- Napa Cabbage (Chinese Cabbage)Sow or transplantMay 15–May 22
- Orach (Mountain Spinach)Direct sowMay 1–May 8
- OreganoTransplantMay 22–May 29
- ParsleySow or transplantMay 1–May 8
- Parsley Root (Hamburg Parsley)Direct sowMay 15–May 22
- ParsnipDirect sowMay 1–May 8
- Pineapple SagePlant a nursery startMay 22–May 29
- PotatoDirect sowMay 1–May 8
- PumpkinDirect sowMay 22–May 29
- PurslaneSow or transplantMay 15–May 22
- RadicchioSow or transplantMay 15–May 22
- RhubarbDirect sowMay 1–May 8
- RoselleTransplantMay 29–Jun 5
- RosemaryTransplantMay 29–Jun 5
- RueTransplantMay 22–May 29
- SageTransplantMay 29–Jun 5
- Salad BurnetSow or transplantMay 22–May 29
- SalsifyDirect sowMay 15–May 22
- SaltwortDirect sowMay 15–May 22
- Scallion (Green Onion)Direct sowMay 1–May 8
- Scorzonera (Black Salsify)Direct sowMay 15–May 22
- Sea KaleDirect sowMay 1–May 8
- Shiso (Perilla)Direct sowMay 22–May 29
- SorrelSow or transplantMay 1–May 8
- SteviaPlant a nursery startMay 22–May 29
- Summer SavorySow or transplantMay 15–May 22
- Summer Squash (Yellow)Sow or transplantMay 22–May 29
- Sunchoke (Jerusalem Artichoke)Direct sowMay 1–May 8
- Sweet CornDirect sowMay 22–May 29
- Swiss ChardSow or transplantMay 1–May 8
- TansyDirect sowMay 1–May 8
- Tarragon (French)Plant a nursery startMay 22–May 29
- ThymeTransplantMay 22–May 29
- TobaccoTransplantMay 29–Jun 5
- TomatoTransplantMay 29–Jun 5
- Upland CressDirect sowMay 8–May 15
- ValerianTransplantMay 22–May 29
- Vegetable AmaranthDirect sowMay 29–Jun 5
- WatercressSow or transplantMay 1–May 8
- Winter SavoryTransplantMay 22–May 29
- Winter SquashDirect sowMay 22–May 29
- Za'atar OreganoTransplantMay 29–Jun 5
- ZucchiniSow or transplantMay 22–May 29
Peppers
- 7 Pot Douglah Pepper (Chocolate 7 Pot)TransplantMay 29–Jun 5
- 7 Pot Primo PepperTransplantMay 29–Jun 5
- Aji Amarillo PepperTransplantMay 29–Jun 5
- Anaheim Pepper (New Mexico, Hatch)TransplantMay 29–Jun 5
- Bell PepperTransplantMay 29–Jun 5
- Carolina Reaper PepperTransplantMay 29–Jun 5
- Cayenne PepperTransplantMay 29–Jun 5
- Chile de Árbol PepperTransplantMay 29–Jun 5
- Cubanelle PepperTransplantMay 29–Jun 5
- Datil PepperTransplantMay 29–Jun 5
- Dorset Naga PepperTransplantMay 29–Jun 5
- Fresno PepperTransplantMay 29–Jun 5
- Ghost Pepper (Bhut Jolokia)TransplantMay 29–Jun 5
- Guajillo Pepper (Mirasol)TransplantMay 29–Jun 5
- Habanero PepperTransplantMay 29–Jun 5
- Hungarian Wax PepperTransplantMay 29–Jun 5
- Italian Frying Pepper (Corno di Toro, Marconi)TransplantMay 29–Jun 5
- Jalapeño PepperTransplantMay 29–Jun 5
- Komodo Dragon PepperTransplantMay 29–Jun 5
- Lemon Drop PepperTransplantMay 29–Jun 5
- Mini Sweet Pepper (Snacking)TransplantMay 29–Jun 5
- Naga Viper PepperTransplantMay 29–Jun 5
- Padrón PepperTransplantMay 29–Jun 5
- Pasilla Pepper (Chilaca)TransplantMay 29–Jun 5
- Pimento PepperTransplantMay 29–Jun 5
- Poblano Pepper (Ancho)TransplantMay 29–Jun 5
- Rocoto PepperTransplantMay 29–Jun 5
- Scotch Bonnet PepperTransplantMay 29–Jun 5
- Serrano PepperTransplantMay 29–Jun 5
- Shishito PepperTransplantMay 29–Jun 5
- Superhot Pepper (Ghost, Reaper, Scorpion)TransplantMay 29–Jun 5
- Sweet Banana PepperTransplantMay 29–Jun 5
- Sweet Cherry PepperTransplantMay 29–Jun 5
- Tabasco PepperTransplantMay 29–Jun 5
- Thai Chili Pepper (Bird's Eye)TransplantMay 29–Jun 5
- Trinidad Moruga Scorpion PepperTransplantMay 29–Jun 5
- Trinidad Scorpion Butch T PepperTransplantMay 29–Jun 5
Fruit
- ApplePlant a nursery startMay 1–May 8
- Aronia (Black Chokeberry)Plant a nursery startMay 1–May 8
- ElderberryPlant a nursery startMay 1–May 8
- Goji BerryPlant a nursery startMay 1–May 8
- Honeyberry (Haskap)Plant a nursery startMay 1–May 8
- LingonberryPlant a nursery startMay 1–May 8
- MulberryPlant a nursery startMay 15–May 22
- PearPlant a nursery startMay 1–May 8
- PlumPlant a nursery startMay 1–May 8
- Serviceberry (Juneberry)Plant a nursery startMay 1–May 8
- Tart CherryPlant a nursery startMay 1–May 8
Flowers
- African DaisyDirect sowMay 15–May 22
- Ageratum (Flossflower)TransplantMay 22–May 29
- Agrostemma (Corn Cockle)Sow or transplantMay 1–May 8
- Amaranthus (Love-Lies-Bleeding)Sow or transplantMay 15–May 22
- Ammi (False Queen Anne's Lace)Sow or transplantMay 15–May 22
- Ammobium (Winged Everlasting)TransplantMay 15–May 22
- Angelonia (Summer Snapdragon)TransplantMay 29–Jun 5
- Annual Geranium (Pelargonium)TransplantMay 22–May 29
- AstilbeDirect sowMay 1–May 8
- Bachelor's Button (Cornflower)Sow or transplantMay 1–May 8
- Basket-of-GoldDirect sowMay 1–May 8
- Bee BalmPlant a nursery startMay 29–Jun 5
- Bells of IrelandSow or transplantMay 8–May 15
- Black-Eyed Susan VineTransplantMay 29–Jun 5
- Bupleurum (Thoroughwax)Sow or transplantMay 1–May 8
- Butterfly Weed (Asclepias)TransplantMay 22–May 29
- CalendulaSow or transplantMay 1–May 8
- California BluebellDirect sowMay 15–May 22
- California PoppyDirect sowMay 1–May 8
- Campanula (Bellflower)TransplantMay 22–May 29
- CandytuftDirect sowMay 1–May 8
- CarnationTransplantMay 8–May 15
- Carthamus (Safflower)Sow or transplantMay 15–May 22
- Castor BeanDirect sowMay 22–May 29
- CelosiaSow or transplantMay 22–May 29
- Cerinthe (Honeywort)Sow or transplantMay 15–May 22
- China AsterTransplantMay 22–May 29
- Cleome (Spider Flower)Sow or transplantMay 29–Jun 5
- ColeusTransplantMay 29–Jun 5
- ColumbineTransplantMay 22–May 29
- Coreopsis (Tickseed)Sow or transplantMay 22–May 29
- Corn PoppyDirect sowMay 1–May 8
- CosmosSow or transplantMay 22–May 29
- Craspedia (Drumstick Flower)TransplantMay 22–May 29
- DahliaPlant bulbsMay 29–Jun 5
- Didiscus (Blue Lace Flower)Direct sowMay 15–May 22
- Dusty MillerTransplantMay 22–May 29
- Echinops (Globe Thistle)TransplantMay 22–May 29
- Eryngium (Sea Holly)TransplantMay 22–May 29
- EucalyptusTransplantMay 22–May 29
- Euphorbia (Snow-on-the-Mountain)Sow or transplantMay 15–May 22
- Forget-Me-NotDirect sowMay 1–May 8
- Four O'ClockDirect sowMay 22–May 29
- FoxgloveTransplantMay 22–May 29
- Gaillardia (Blanket Flower)Sow or transplantMay 22–May 29
- GazaniaTransplantMay 22–May 29
- GladiolusPlant bulbsMay 1–May 8
- Gomphrena (Globe Amaranth)TransplantMay 22–May 29
- Gypsophila (Baby's Breath)Sow or transplantMay 22–May 29
- Helipterum (Paper Daisy)Sow or transplantMay 22–May 29
- Heuchera (Coral Bells)Direct sowMay 1–May 8
- HollyhockDirect sowMay 1–May 8
- HostaDirect sowMay 1–May 8
- ImpatiensTransplantMay 29–Jun 5
- Johnny Jump UpTransplantMay 1–May 8
- LantanaPlant a nursery startMay 29–Jun 5
- Lavatera (Annual Mallow)Direct sowMay 15–May 22
- Liatris (Blazing Star)Plant bulbsMay 1–May 8
- LisianthusTransplantMay 22–May 29
- LobeliaTransplantMay 22–May 29
- Love-in-a-Mist (Nigella)Direct sowMay 1–May 8
- LupineDirect sowMay 1–May 8
- Maiden PinksDirect sowMay 1–May 8
- Mallow (High Mallow)Direct sowMay 15–May 22
- MarigoldSow or transplantMay 22–May 29
- MoonflowerSow or transplantMay 15–May 22
- Morning GloryDirect sowMay 29–Jun 5
- NasturtiumDirect sowMay 22–May 29
- Nicotiana (Flowering Tobacco)TransplantMay 22–May 29
- Orlaya (Laceflower)Sow or transplantMay 8–May 15
- OsteospermumTransplantMay 22–May 29
- Pansy / ViolaTransplantMay 1–May 8
- PetuniaTransplantMay 29–Jun 5
- Phlox (Annual)Sow or transplantMay 8–May 15
- Portulaca (Moss Rose)Sow or transplantMay 22–May 29
- PrimulaTransplantMay 1–May 8
- RanunculusPlant bulbsMay 8–May 15
- Rock SoapwortDirect sowMay 1–May 8
- Salvia (Scarlet Sage)TransplantMay 29–Jun 5
- Scabiosa (Pincushion Flower)TransplantMay 22–May 29
- Scarlet FlaxDirect sowMay 15–May 22
- Scarlet Runner BeanSow or transplantMay 22–May 29
- Sedum (Showy Stonecrop)Direct sowMay 1–May 8
- SnapdragonTransplantMay 8–May 15
- Spilanthes (Toothache Plant)Sow or transplantMay 22–May 29
- StaticeTransplantMay 22–May 29
- StockTransplantMay 15–May 22
- StrawflowerSow or transplantMay 15–May 22
- SunflowerDirect sowMay 15–May 22
- Sweet AlyssumSow or transplantMay 15–May 22
- Sweet Annie (Artemisia)Sow or transplantMay 15–May 22
- Sweet WilliamTransplantMay 8–May 15
- Tithonia (Mexican Sunflower)Sow or transplantMay 29–Jun 5
- Torenia (Wishbone Flower)TransplantMay 29–Jun 5
- Veronica (Speedwell)Direct sowMay 1–May 8
- Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)TransplantMay 29–Jun 5
- Wax BegoniaTransplantMay 29–Jun 5
- Xeranthemum (Immortelle)Sow or transplantMay 15–May 22
- YarrowSow or transplantMay 15–May 22
- ZinniaSow or transplantMay 22–May 29
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.
- Ground Cherry (Husk Cherry)Plant outJun 5–Jun 12
- TomatilloPlant outJun 5–Jun 12
← April in zone 4 · June in zone 4 →
Keep planning
Growing guides
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Not sure of your zone? Look it up by ZIP code.
May in other zones: zone 2, zone 3, 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 4: 247 crops to start indoors or plant outside, including tomato, bell pepper, lettuce, cucumber, with exact dates for zone 4a and 4b.
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