What to Plant in May: A Zone-by-Zone Breakdown

Might is such an thrilling month within the backyard.

The world lastly feels prefer it’s waking up, the soil’s warming, and even essentially the most reluctant vegetation are stretching their legs. However what you possibly can plant in Might relies upon enormously on the place you reside.

Some of us are nonetheless coping with late frosts and chilly nights, whereas others are already battling weeds and staking tomatoes.

So, as an alternative of providing you with a one-size-fits-all record, I assumed a zone-by-zone breakdown could be far more helpful.

Right here’s what to plant in Might based mostly in your USDA hardiness zone. In the event you’re unsure what zone you’re in, you possibly can test it right here on the USDA web site.

Simply pop in your ZIP code.

The Finest Crops to Develop in Might from Zones 3 to 10

Zone 3 (Minimal temp: -40 to -30°F)

I do know some folks in northern Minnesota and elements of Montana who say Should still seems like early spring. It’s gradual going, however you possibly can undoubtedly begin getting your arms within the filth.

What to plant in Might (Zone 3):

• Cool-season crops: peas, carrots, radishes, spinach, lettuce, kale, and beets can go straight into the bottom.
• Potatoes and onions can go in too.
• You can begin hardening off tomato and pepper seedlings close to the top of the month, however don’t plant them out simply but. Night time temps can nonetheless dip too low.
• Flowers: pansies, snapdragons, and alyssum can deal with the chilly and brighten issues up.

Professional Tip: Use row covers in the event you’re nervous about shock frosts. Might is infamous for climate temper swings up right here.

Zone 4 (Minimal temp: -30 to -20°F)

Issues are thawing out, however nights nonetheless get chilly. You can begin planting cool-weather crops, however maintain the tender stuff protected for now.

What to plant in Might (Zone 4):

• Sow spinach, carrots, lettuce, broccoli, and peas straight within the backyard.
• Begin beans and corn indoors or wait till the very finish of the month to sow outdoors.
• You possibly can plant perennials now, too. Peonies and daylilies are nice decisions.
• Tomatoes and peppers can begin going outdoors on the finish of Might in case your nights keep above 50°F.

Professional tip: Mulching early helps the soil heat up sooner and retains weeds from throwing a celebration in your backyard beds.

Zone 5 (Minimal temp: -20 to -10°F)

Now we’re speaking. Might is when Zone 5 actually will get rising. Your final frost is both gone or simply about to be.

What to plant in Might (Zone 5):

• Tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, beans, cucumbers, and squash can all go in after your frost date.
• Herbs like basil, parsley, and cilantro do nice when planted now.
• Nonetheless a superb time to sow lettuce, radishes, and spinach; they love the cool mornings.
• Zinnias and marigolds are nice, easy-going flowers so as to add some shade.

Warning: You may lose one or two tomatoes in the event you leap the gun. As an alternative, give them per week or two after the frost date simply to be secure.

Zone 6 (Minimal temp: -10 to 0°F)

That is prime planting season. Frost is normally passed by mid-April, so Might is all about going full throttle within the backyard.

What to plant in Might (Zone 6):

• Just about the whole lot: beans, tomatoes, peppers, squash, cucumbers, melons, and corn.
• Begin succession planting greens like lettuce, arugula, and bok choy each couple of weeks to maintain a gentle harvest.
• In the event you haven’t planted herbs, now’s a good time to place in basil, thyme, oregano, and mint.
• Annual flowers like petunias, cosmos, and nasturtiums will fill out rapidly.

Professional Tip: In the event you’re in a low spot that will get frost later than normal, simply control the 10-day forecast.

Zone 7 (Minimal temp: 0 to 10°F)

Zone 7 of us are already harvesting radishes and child spinach by now. Might is your inexperienced gentle for warm-weather crops.

What to plant in Might (Zone 7):

• Roma tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, corn, melons, and okra are all good to go.
• Candy potatoes might be planted mid to late Might.
• Beans and sunflowers develop like loopy this time of 12 months.
• Don’t neglect your heat-loving herbs like basil and lemongrass.

Private tip: Stake your tomatoes whenever you plant them. Don’t wait. I’ve discovered the arduous method.

Zone 8 (Minimal temp: 10 to twenty°F)

Right here in Zone 8, Might seems like early summer season. Issues develop quick, and the weeds develop sooner.

What to plant in Might (Zone 8):

• Eggplant, okra, peppers, candy potatoes, and melons all love the warmth.
• Bush beans and pole beans can go in now for a robust summer season crop.
• Succession planting is vital. Hold sowing short-season crops like lettuce and radishes.
• Tropical vegetation like ginger and turmeric might be planted in the event you’re adventurous.

Observe: Be careful for aphids and early indicators of powdery mildew; Might is when the bugs and fungus get up, too.

Zone 9 (Minimal temp: 20 to 30°F)

Might is a difficult month in Zone 9. The warmth is coming quick, and tender crops want common watering to keep away from bolting, wilting, or frying.

What to plant in Might (Zone 9):

• Candy potatoes, okra, southern peas, and melons thrive within the warmth.
• Nonetheless time to plant eggplant and peppers, however they’ll want water and mulch.
• Malabar spinach and New Zealand spinach deal with warmth higher than common spinach.
• Shade cloths and shade nets are value it if you wish to maintain issues like lettuce going into summer season. Apart from, the nets will do an incredible job defending your vegetation from pests.

Gardening reality: If one thing bolts or dies, it’s not your fault. It’s simply Zone 9 doing its factor. You possibly can solely strive, however generally issues occur no matter doing all your greatest.

Zone 10 and Up (Minimal temp: 30°F and above)

Tropical climates are an entire completely different ballgame. You may be rising year-round, however the dry season vs. moist season issues greater than frost dates.

What to plant in Might (Zone 10+):

• Warmth-loving crops: okra, eggplant, chilies, candy potatoes, and southern peas.
• Might’s a superb time for papayas, pineapples, and herbs that thrive in warmth and humidity.
• Shade-lovers like amaranth, chaya, or cilantro do nicely too.
• Watch your water; constant moisture makes all of the distinction.

Professional tip in the event you reside in areas like Florida: Develop lettuce below taller crops or in containers with the intention to transfer to shade every time needed. It helps prolong your season.

Conclusion

Gardening in Might is all about matching your planting to your native circumstances.

There’s no disgrace in trial and error. I’ve planted issues too early, too late, and downright fallacious. That’s simply a part of the method.

So, whether or not you are battling frost or prepping for summer season warmth, there’s one thing value planting this month.

Dig in, experiment, and most of all, take pleasure in it. You’ll be taught one thing new each season.