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You are here: Home / Gardening / May Planting Guide: What To Sow Now!

May 21, 2022 Gardening

May Planting Guide: What To Sow Now!

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The month of May is like Christmas for gardeners – it’s finally warm enough to really get things going! Check out my guide to what to plant in May depending on your hardiness zone!

Overhead shot of many small basil plants in a window box what to plant in may

After a semester-induced drought, I’m back and have loads of gardening and seasonal living content planned for the summer. First up in what will be a new series is a sowing guide of what to plant in May.

Obviously, what to plant will vary depending on where you’re at in the country/world, but for most of the temperate US, we’re now entering into the prime of garden season. Where I grew up in northern Illinois, Memorial Day weekend was the magic date everyone waited for for planting.

Here in central Ohio, I’ve already planted out most of my starts, but I’ll be doing plenty of seed sowing over Memorial Day weekend. For many summer crops that you direct seed, it’s best to wait a few weeks after your last frost date, when the soil is good and warm, to get them in the ground. But more on that later!

If you want to get right to the list of what to plant in May, feel free to scroll down to my zone-by-zone guide. If you’re a new gardener, stick around for some tips on what to keep in mind when planning and planting out the garden.

A lush summer garden. Two arched trellises have plants beginning to creep up. Cinder blocks line bed that are filling with growing plants. The background flowers grow. what to plant in may

Can you start a garden in May?

Absolutely! For much of the country, this is the ideal time to start your summer garden crops. But really, you can start a garden in any month – depending on your goals. See more below!

Inside of a raised wooden garden bed with small green seedlings. Two hands covered in dirt reach in. what to plant in may

Is May too late/too early to start a garden?

Certainly not! Depending on where you are, it may be too early to plant summer crops like tomatoes and peppers, or too late to plant cool-loving crops like cabbage and broccoli, but you can certainly start something! 

Really, even if it were November/December and too cold to grow anything, it would still be a great time to build new beds, amend with compost, etc. You can always be working on the garden!

Winter sun shines on two raised wooden garden beds freshly filled with soil. The beds meet in an L against the sides of a house. what to plant in may

How do you know when to plant?

When to plant (which is actually more a question of when to plant what crops because you can usually plant something), will be dictated by your hardiness zone and your last frost date. 

Your last frost date tells you when to expect your last frost, obviously. This is important because you certainly don’t want to plant anything frost-tender before that date, as you’re likely to lose it to the cold. Just keep in mind that your last frost date is a projection based on previous years’ data, so you should still keep an eye on the forecast.

Your hardiness zone is determined by what the average low temperature is where you live. Hardiness zones aren’t an exact science. For example, parts of South Carolina and Oregon are in the same hardiness zones, though their climates are very different. But they’re a good shorthand for tracking when to plant what as your area warms. Just keep track of your last frost date so you don’t accidentally plant to early. I’ve sorted what to plant in May by hardiness zone below.

USDA hardiness zone map of the United States what to plant in may

How do you find your USDA hardiness zone?

This one’s easy. Check out the map on the USDA’s website. You can even search your exact address – https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/

Image of the Farmer's Almanac frost date calculator what to plant in may

How do you find your last frost date?

You can just google *the city closest to you* + last frost date, and it should pop right up. You may find some variability depending on what site you choose, but I’ve found the Farmer’s Almanac pretty reliable.

A hand holds up a bright yellow sunflower what to plant in may

If it’s past your last frost date, can you plant anything you want?

Technically I suppose so, but that doesn’t mean it’s the best idea. You want to set your garden up to thrive, which means sowing and transplanting according to that crop’s needs. 

My last frost date is around April 30, but that doesn’t mean I rush out to plant my tomatoes, eggplants, and peppers. Those are all heat loving, tropical plants, so I usually wait a couple more weeks until the lows are consistently in the mid-50s before planting out. 

I’m also waiting to direct sow some other heat lovers, like my cucumbers and sunflowers.

On the other hand, you also want to be wary of planting cool season crops too late as they’ll just bolt before producing food for you. 

Use the planting calendars below as a guide for what’s appropriate to sow now.

Kale seedlings growing in soil blocks what to plant in may

What should you transplant as a seedling and what should you direct sow?

When planting your garden, you have basically two options. You can transplant seedlings or starts (either that you bought at a nursery or started yourself) or you can direct sow seeds.

Certain families of plants really don’t like having their roots disturbed. With these, your best bet is to direct sow. You’ll have happier, hardier plants, and you’ll save money because seeds are much cheaper than starts.

A started plant costs anywhere from $2-$6 depending on where you live, if it was grown organically, etc. A seed packet, which contains anywhere from ten to a few hundred seeds, costs the same. So it’s definitely a better deal to direct sow (or start your own seeds) if it’s an option.

Avoid buying starts for any sort of root vegetable (like carrots) or things in the curcurbit family (cucumbers, squashes, melons) because these don’t like having their roots disturbed. Likewise, I’d advise against buying starts for peas and beans or lettuces and greens. These grow super fast, so it’s just a better deal to grow them from seed.

Other things, like tomatoes, you want to transplant because they take longer to grow than your frost-free season is long. Transplanting an already started plant gives you a head start if you live somewhere with a shorter growing season. For many of us, this is the only way to get tropical crops like tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants.

If you’re unsure, take a look at a seed packet. Its instructions should say whether to direct sow or start indoors. It should also say the plant’s days to maturity. You can cross-reference this number against the length of your frost free season (calculated using your last and first frost dates). If the first number is longer, you should definitely go the transplant route.

A hand sprinkles seeds over a tray full of seedling pots set in a garden bed what to plant in may

Alright, so what can you plant in May?

Okay, here are some guides for what to plant in May for each of the hardiness zones in the US. Apologies if you’re not, but I needed some sort of limiting factor so I wasn’t writing a novel.

Many other countries have begun adopting the US hardiness zone system. So you can try googling *where you live* + hardiness zone and then try what I’ve outlined below.

Disclaimer that these lists are meant to be suggestions, not hard and fast rules. Please always go by your last frost date and what your weather is actually doing.

A hand dangles freshly dug carrots in front of the camera what to plant in may

What to Plant in May in Zone 3

  • Arugula
  • Beans
  • Beets
  • Broccoli and cauliflower
  • Brussel Sprouts
  • Cabbage
  • Carrots
  • Cold hardy, perennial herbs
  • Corn
  • Flowers
  • Kale
  • Lettuce
  • Peas
  • Potatoes
  • Radishes
  • Spinach
  • Swiss Chard
  • Turnips
Rows of potato hills with the greens growing out of the soil what to plant in may

What to Plant in May in Zone 4

  • Arugula
  • Beans
  • Beets
  • Broccoli and cauliflower
  • Brussel Sprouts
  • Cabbage
  • Carrots
  • Cold hardy, perennial herbs
  • Corn
  • Cucumber
  • Eggplant
  • Flowers
  • Kale
  • Lettuce
  • Peas
  • Peppers
  • Potatoes
  • Radishes
  • Spinach
  • Squash
  • Swiss Chard
  • Tomatoes
  • Turnips
A light green lettuce seedling pops against the background of dark soil what to plant in may

What to Plant in May in Zone 5

  • Arugula
  • Beans
  • Beets
  • Broccoli and cauliflower
  • Brussel Sprouts
  • Cabbage
  • Carrots
  • Cold hardy, perennial herbs
  • Corn
  • Cucumber
  • Eggplants
  • Flowers
  • Kale
  • Lettuce
  • Peas
  • Peppers
  • Potatoes
  • Radishes
  • Spinach
  • Squash
  • Swiss Chard
  • Tomatoes
  • Turnips
A freshly planted tomato seedling standing up out of a garden bed what to plant in may

What to Plant in May in Zone 6

  • Basil and other herbs
  • Beans
  • Beets
  • Carrots
  • Corn
  • Cucumber
  • Eggplants
  • Flowers
  • Kale
  • Lettuce
  • Malabar Spinach
  • Melons and Squash
  • Okra
  • Peppers
  • Potatoes
  • Radishes
  • Sweet potatoes
  • Swiss Chard
  • Tomatoes
  • Turnips
Two long cucumbers hanging from a vine rest on the soil what to plant in may

What to Plant in May in Zone 7

  • Basil and other herbs
  • Beans
  • Beets
  • Corn
  • Cucumber
  • Eggplants
  • Field peas
  • Flowers
  • Kale
  • Malabar Spinach
  • Melons and Squash
  • Okra
  • Peppers
  • Sweet potatoes
  • Swiss Chard
  • Tomatoes
A baby eggplant grows from its plant what to plant in may

What to Plant in May in Zone 8

  • Basil and other herbs
  • Beans
  • Beets
  • Corn
  • Cucumber
  • Eggplants
  • Field peas
  • Flowers
  • Malabar Spinach
  • Melons and Squash
  • Okra
  • Peppers
  • Sweet potatoes
  • Tomatoes
Three red bell peppers grow from a plant what to plant in may

What to Plant in May in Zone 9

  • Basil and other herbs
  • Beans
  • Cucumber
  • Eggplants
  • Field peas
  • Malabar Spinach
  • Melons and Squash
  • Okra
  • Peppers
  • Sweet potatoes
  • Tomatoes
  • Ginger and turmeric
An okra blossom and several okra grow in a field what to plant in may

What to Plant in May in Zone 10

  • Basil and other herbs
  • Beans
  • Cucumbers
  • Eggplant
  • Field peas
  • Malabar Spinach
  • Melons and squash
  • Okra
  • Peppers
  • Sweet potatoes
  • Tomatoes
  • Ginger and turmeric
A snap pea hands in a dense tangle of vines what to plant in may

I’d love to hear how your garden is growing and what you’ve planted (or plan to). Let me know in the comments below!

Pen drawing of an onion, some lettuce leaves, some peppers, a radish, a tomato, carrots, and a head of broccoli in dark green ink
Pinterest pin containing an image of a snap pea growing from the vine and text on a blue banner that reads, "Sowing Guide: What to Plant in May by hardiness zone" and "meaghangrows.com"
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Categories: Gardening Tags: beginner gardening, garden, gardening, may garden, may gardening, organic gardening, seeds, spring gardening, what to plant, what to plant in may

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sarah says

    May 26, 2022 at 10:34 am

    I was just asking myself if it’s too late to plant in zone 7. Great article. Thank you!!

    Reply
    • Meaghan says

      May 27, 2022 at 10:39 am

      I’m so glad it’s helpful!

      Reply
  2. 1898 Mama says

    May 26, 2022 at 10:40 am

    This article is great! I love this!

    Reply
    • Meaghan says

      May 27, 2022 at 10:39 am

      Thank you!

      Reply
  3. Jenny says

    May 26, 2022 at 11:49 am

    Hi Meaghan! This post comes at the perfect time. I’m just about to start my garden and was worried I was too late. Great to have a wealth of information to help me get going. Better late than never when it comes to learning new skills!

    Reply
    • Meaghan says

      May 27, 2022 at 10:39 am

      Ah yay! I hope your garden turns out amazing!

      Reply
  4. Julie says

    May 26, 2022 at 1:17 pm

    This is such great information! I love this. I always think “Oh I missed it” and then feel defeated lol. This gives me hope I can still start! Thanks

    Reply
    • Meaghan says

      May 27, 2022 at 10:40 am

      Absolutely! It’s never too late to start something!

      Reply
  5. Krista says

    May 26, 2022 at 10:07 pm

    Wow! You have ALL the zones! I’m amazed. So much good info here. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Meaghan says

      May 27, 2022 at 10:40 am

      Of course! I hope it’s helpful!

      Reply
  6. Ada says

    May 27, 2022 at 9:41 am

    This sowing guide is excellent! I realized I was missing a few more seeds that I could grow. Thank you for sharing!

    Reply
    • Meaghan says

      May 27, 2022 at 10:41 am

      Of course! I’m glad it was helpful!

      Reply

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Baking the sun into a pie to coax the light back o Baking the sun into a pie to coax the light back on this day of deepest dark. 

Of all the things the garden gives me, one of the gifts I most appreciate is its invitation to live in alignment with the seasons, at least in the growing months of the year.

That alignment is a bit harder come by in the cold months, and so I try to cultivate rituals to fill that gap. Often, they come in the shape of kitchen work.

In recent years, I’ve taken up making wassail and pairing with a savory pork and apple pie. We’ll eat cozy, warming food and burn what we’re looking to release from our lives in the beeswax candles I made at the height of summer.

If Christmas is all about turning outward, celebrating with loved ones, parties and feasting, the Winter Solstice - Yule - invites us to turn inward, to release ourselves into the earth’s rhythms, to rest. 

To embrace the darkness, even as we await the return of the light.

#solstice #wintersolstice #yule #christmas #pie #sourdough #sourdoughpiecrust #fermentedfoods #traditionalfood #plantgrowmake #celebrateseasonalshifts #kitchenwitch #savorypie #holidayseason #holidaybaking #cozy #hygge #theartofslowliving #winterbaking #cozyseason #livethelittlethings #traditionalskills #sourdoughbaking #realfoodmovement
Instagram post 17988089188662810 Instagram post 17988089188662810
Homemade marshmallows are way easier than you thin Homemade marshmallows are way easier than you think and the perfect way to welcome in the holiday baking season. I’ll enjoy these peppermint ones in bedtime hot cocoa and give some as gifts.

·       3 tablespoons unflavored gelatin
·       1 cup cold water (divided)
·       1 ¼ cup (408g) honey and maple syrup (you choose the ratio – I like more syrup but honey will give you a whiter marshmallow)
·       2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
·       ¾ teaspoon peppermint extract
·       Pinch of salt
·       Red food dye (optional)
·       A butter knife, toothpick, or wooden skewer (optional)
·       Powdered sugar, arrowroot starch, or tapioca flour
 
1.     Grease a pan well with avocado oil spray or coconut oil. I used an 11x7 but a smaller pan will yield thicker marshmallows. Also grease a spatula.
2.     In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine gelatin with ½ c cold water. Use the whisk attachment to gently combine, then allow to bloom while making the syrup mixture.
3.     In a deep, thick-bottomed saucepan, combine honey, maple syrup, and remaining ½ c cold water. Bring to medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, and cook until syrup reaches 235-240°F. A clip-on candy thermometer makes this easier.
4.     When syrup is ready, turn mixer onto medium and slowly pour syrup in along the side of the bowl.
5.     Turn the mixer up to medium-high and allow to whip for ~8 min. You’ll see the mixture change color and texture until it looks like marshmallow fluff. Add salt, peppermint extract, and vanilla, and whip for another minute.
6.     Working quickly, pour mixture into your prepared pan and smooth with spatula. If you want to add the red swirl, drip dye across the surface of the marshmallows and quickly swirl in with your butter knife or skewer.
7.     Allow to set for at least six hours. Loosen the edges of the marshmallow from the pan, then tip onto a cutting board dusted with powdered sugar, arrowroot or tapioca flour. Cut into whatever size you wish then dust with more powdered sugar to prevent sticking. Store in an airtight container.

#baking #holidaybaking #marshmallows #peppermintmarshmallows #fromscratch #norefinedsugar #marshmallowrecipe
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