What to Plant in May in Zone 5
203 crops you can start in zone 5a & 5b during May. The dates are worked out from zone 5's typical frosts: last spring frost around May 10, first fall frost around Oct 5. Each crop links to its full dates for zone 5.
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 5.
Vegetables & herbs
- American GinsengDirect sowMay 10–May 17
- AniseDirect sowMay 10–May 17
- Anise HyssopSow or transplantMay 10–May 17
- BasilTransplantMay 24–May 31
- Belgian Endive (Witloof)Direct sowMay 10–May 17
- Birdhouse GourdDirect sowMay 24–May 31
- Bok ChoySow or transplantMay 10–May 17
- BorageDirect sowMay 10–May 17
- BroccoliniTransplantMay 10–May 17
- BurdockDirect sowMay 17–May 24
- Bush BeansDirect sowMay 17–May 24
- CantaloupeSow or transplantMay 24–May 31
- CatmintTransplantMay 17–May 24
- CatnipSow or transplantMay 10–May 17
- Chamomile (German)TransplantMay 10–May 17
- CilantroDirect sowMay 10–May 17
- Citronella Plant (Mosquito Plant)Plant a nursery startMay 17–May 24
- Claytonia (Miner's Lettuce)Direct sowMay 10–May 17
- CucamelonTransplantMay 24–May 31
- CucumberSow or transplantMay 17–May 24
- CuminDirect sowMay 31–Jun 7
- Cutting Celery (Leaf Celery)Sow or transplantMay 10–May 17
- Daikon RadishDirect sowMay 10–May 17
- Dandelion (Cultivated)Direct sowMay 10–May 17
- DillDirect sowMay 3–May 10
- Edamame (Soybean)Direct sowMay 17–May 24
- EggplantTransplantMay 24–May 31
- EpazoteDirect sowMay 10–May 17
- Fennel (Florence/bulbing)Sow or transplantMay 24–May 31
- Garlic Chives (Chinese Leeks)Sow or transplantMay 17–May 24
- GoldensealDirect sowMay 10–May 17
- Ground Cherry (Husk Cherry)TransplantMay 31–Jun 7
- HorseradishDirect sowMay 17–May 24
- HyssopSow or transplantMay 17–May 24
- LavenderPlant a nursery startMay 17–May 24
- Lemon BalmTransplantMay 17–May 24
- Licorice MarigoldDirect sowMay 10–May 17
- Lima BeanDirect sowMay 31–Jun 7
- LovageTransplantMay 17–May 24
- Luffa GourdSow or transplantMay 17–May 24
- Malabar SpinachSow or transplantMay 17–May 24
- Marjoram (Sweet)TransplantMay 17–May 24
- Mint (Spearmint)Plant a nursery startMay 10–May 17
- Molokhia (Egyptian Spinach)Direct sowMay 24–May 31
- Mountain MintTransplantMay 17–May 24
- MugwortDirect sowMay 10–May 17
- Napa Cabbage (Chinese Cabbage)Sow or transplantMay 10–May 17
- OreganoTransplantMay 17–May 24
- Parsley Root (Hamburg Parsley)Direct sowMay 10–May 17
- Pineapple SagePlant a nursery startMay 17–May 24
- PumpkinDirect sowMay 17–May 24
- PurslaneSow or transplantMay 10–May 17
- RadicchioSow or transplantMay 10–May 17
- RoselleTransplantMay 24–May 31
- RosemaryTransplantMay 24–May 31
- RueTransplantMay 17–May 24
- SageTransplantMay 24–May 31
- Salad BurnetSow or transplantMay 17–May 24
- SalsifyDirect sowMay 10–May 17
- SaltwortDirect sowMay 10–May 17
- Scorzonera (Black Salsify)Direct sowMay 10–May 17
- Shiso (Perilla)Direct sowMay 17–May 24
- SkirretSow or transplantMay 10–May 17
- SteviaPlant a nursery startMay 17–May 24
- Summer SavorySow or transplantMay 10–May 17
- Summer Squash (Yellow)Sow or transplantMay 17–May 24
- Sweet CornDirect sowMay 17–May 24
- Tarragon (French)Plant a nursery startMay 17–May 24
- ThymeTransplantMay 17–May 24
- TobaccoTransplantMay 24–May 31
- TomatilloTransplantMay 31–Jun 7
- TomatoTransplantMay 24–May 31
- Upland CressDirect sowMay 3–May 10
- ValerianTransplantMay 17–May 24
- Vegetable AmaranthDirect sowMay 24–May 31
- WatermelonDirect sowMay 24–May 31
- Winter SavoryTransplantMay 17–May 24
- Winter SquashDirect sowMay 17–May 24
- Za'atar OreganoTransplantMay 24–May 31
- ZucchiniSow or transplantMay 17–May 24
Peppers
- 7 Pot Douglah Pepper (Chocolate 7 Pot)TransplantMay 24–May 31
- 7 Pot Primo PepperTransplantMay 24–May 31
- Aji Amarillo PepperTransplantMay 24–May 31
- Anaheim Pepper (New Mexico, Hatch)TransplantMay 24–May 31
- Bell PepperTransplantMay 24–May 31
- Carolina Reaper PepperTransplantMay 24–May 31
- Cayenne PepperTransplantMay 24–May 31
- Chile de Árbol PepperTransplantMay 24–May 31
- Cubanelle PepperTransplantMay 24–May 31
- Datil PepperTransplantMay 24–May 31
- Dorset Naga PepperTransplantMay 24–May 31
- Fresno PepperTransplantMay 24–May 31
- Ghost Pepper (Bhut Jolokia)TransplantMay 24–May 31
- Guajillo Pepper (Mirasol)TransplantMay 24–May 31
- Habanero PepperTransplantMay 24–May 31
- Hungarian Wax PepperTransplantMay 24–May 31
- Italian Frying Pepper (Corno di Toro, Marconi)TransplantMay 24–May 31
- Jalapeño PepperTransplantMay 24–May 31
- Komodo Dragon PepperTransplantMay 24–May 31
- Lemon Drop PepperTransplantMay 24–May 31
- Mini Sweet Pepper (Snacking)TransplantMay 24–May 31
- Naga Viper PepperTransplantMay 24–May 31
- Padrón PepperTransplantMay 24–May 31
- Pasilla Pepper (Chilaca)TransplantMay 24–May 31
- Pimento PepperTransplantMay 24–May 31
- Poblano Pepper (Ancho)TransplantMay 24–May 31
- Rocoto PepperTransplantMay 24–May 31
- Scotch Bonnet PepperTransplantMay 24–May 31
- Serrano PepperTransplantMay 24–May 31
- Shishito PepperTransplantMay 24–May 31
- Superhot Pepper (Ghost, Reaper, Scorpion)TransplantMay 24–May 31
- Sweet Banana PepperTransplantMay 24–May 31
- Sweet Cherry PepperTransplantMay 24–May 31
- Tabasco PepperTransplantMay 24–May 31
- Thai Chili Pepper (Bird's Eye)TransplantMay 24–May 31
- Trinidad Moruga Scorpion PepperTransplantMay 24–May 31
- Trinidad Scorpion Butch T PepperTransplantMay 24–May 31
Fruit
- MulberryPlant a nursery startMay 10–May 17
- PawpawPlant a nursery startMay 10–May 17
- QuincePlant a nursery startMay 10–May 17
Flowers
- African DaisyDirect sowMay 10–May 17
- Ageratum (Flossflower)TransplantMay 17–May 24
- Amaranthus (Love-Lies-Bleeding)Sow or transplantMay 10–May 17
- Ammi (False Queen Anne's Lace)Sow or transplantMay 10–May 17
- Ammobium (Winged Everlasting)TransplantMay 10–May 17
- Angelonia (Summer Snapdragon)TransplantMay 24–May 31
- Annual Geranium (Pelargonium)TransplantMay 17–May 24
- Bee BalmPlant a nursery startMay 24–May 31
- Bells of IrelandSow or transplantMay 3–May 10
- Black-Eyed Susan VineTransplantMay 24–May 31
- Butterfly Weed (Asclepias)TransplantMay 17–May 24
- California BluebellDirect sowMay 10–May 17
- Campanula (Bellflower)TransplantMay 17–May 24
- CarnationTransplantMay 3–May 10
- Carthamus (Safflower)Sow or transplantMay 10–May 17
- Castor BeanDirect sowMay 17–May 24
- CelosiaSow or transplantMay 17–May 24
- Cerinthe (Honeywort)Sow or transplantMay 10–May 17
- China AsterTransplantMay 17–May 24
- Chrysanthemum (Garden Mum)TransplantMay 24–May 31
- Cleome (Spider Flower)Sow or transplantMay 24–May 31
- ColeusTransplantMay 24–May 31
- ColumbineTransplantMay 17–May 24
- Coreopsis (Tickseed)Sow or transplantMay 17–May 24
- CosmosSow or transplantMay 17–May 24
- Craspedia (Drumstick Flower)TransplantMay 17–May 24
- DahliaPlant bulbsMay 24–May 31
- DelphiniumPlant a nursery startMay 31–Jun 7
- Didiscus (Blue Lace Flower)Direct sowMay 10–May 17
- Dusty MillerTransplantMay 17–May 24
- Echinops (Globe Thistle)TransplantMay 17–May 24
- Eryngium (Sea Holly)TransplantMay 17–May 24
- EucalyptusTransplantMay 17–May 24
- Euphorbia (Snow-on-the-Mountain)Sow or transplantMay 10–May 17
- FeverfewSow or transplantMay 10–May 17
- Four O'ClockDirect sowMay 17–May 24
- FoxgloveTransplantMay 17–May 24
- Gaillardia (Blanket Flower)Sow or transplantMay 17–May 24
- GazaniaTransplantMay 17–May 24
- Gomphrena (Globe Amaranth)TransplantMay 17–May 24
- Gypsophila (Baby's Breath)Sow or transplantMay 17–May 24
- Helipterum (Paper Daisy)Sow or transplantMay 17–May 24
- Honesty (Lunaria)Direct sowMay 10–May 17
- Hyacinth Bean VineDirect sowMay 31–Jun 7
- ImpatiensTransplantMay 24–May 31
- LantanaPlant a nursery startMay 24–May 31
- Lavatera (Annual Mallow)Direct sowMay 10–May 17
- LisianthusTransplantMay 17–May 24
- LobeliaTransplantMay 17–May 24
- Mallow (High Mallow)Direct sowMay 10–May 17
- MarigoldSow or transplantMay 17–May 24
- MoonflowerSow or transplantMay 10–May 17
- Morning GloryDirect sowMay 24–May 31
- NasturtiumDirect sowMay 17–May 24
- Nicotiana (Flowering Tobacco)TransplantMay 17–May 24
- Orlaya (Laceflower)Sow or transplantMay 3–May 10
- OsteospermumTransplantMay 17–May 24
- PetuniaTransplantMay 24–May 31
- Phlox (Annual)Sow or transplantMay 3–May 10
- Portulaca (Moss Rose)Sow or transplantMay 17–May 24
- RanunculusPlant bulbsMay 3–May 10
- Salvia (Scarlet Sage)TransplantMay 24–May 31
- Scabiosa (Pincushion Flower)TransplantMay 17–May 24
- Scarlet FlaxDirect sowMay 10–May 17
- Scarlet Runner BeanSow or transplantMay 17–May 24
- Showy Evening PrimroseDirect sowMay 10–May 17
- SnapdragonTransplantMay 3–May 10
- Spilanthes (Toothache Plant)Sow or transplantMay 17–May 24
- StaticeTransplantMay 17–May 24
- StockTransplantMay 10–May 17
- StrawflowerSow or transplantMay 10–May 17
- SunflowerDirect sowMay 10–May 17
- Sweet AlyssumSow or transplantMay 10–May 17
- Sweet Annie (Artemisia)Sow or transplantMay 10–May 17
- Sweet WilliamTransplantMay 3–May 10
- Tithonia (Mexican Sunflower)Sow or transplantMay 24–May 31
- Torenia (Wishbone Flower)TransplantMay 24–May 31
- VerbenaSow or transplantMay 17–May 24
- Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)TransplantMay 24–May 31
- Wax BegoniaTransplantMay 24–May 31
- Xeranthemum (Immortelle)Sow or transplantMay 10–May 17
- YarrowSow or transplantMay 10–May 17
- ZinniaSow or transplantMay 17–May 24
← April in zone 5 · June in zone 5 →
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May in other zones: zone 2, zone 3, zone 4, 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 5: 203 crops to plant outside, including bush beans, summer squash (yellow), winter squash, sweet corn, with exact dates for zone 5a and 5b.
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