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 crops are stretching their legs. However what you’ll be able to plant in Might relies upon vastly 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 a substitute of supplying you with a one-size-fits-all checklist, I believed 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. Should you’re unsure what zone you’re in, you’ll be able to test it right here on the USDA web site.

Simply pop in your ZIP code.

The Greatest 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 seems like early spring. It’s sluggish going, however you’ll be able to positively begin getting your palms within the dust.

What to plant in Might (Zone 3):

Cool-season crops: peas, carrots, radishes, spinach, lettuce, kale, and beets can go immediately 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 for those who’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 immediately within the backyard.Begin beans and corn indoors or wait till the very finish of the month to sow exterior.You’ll be able to plant perennials now, too. Peonies and daylilies are nice decisions.Tomatoes and peppers can begin going exterior 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 an excellent 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 would possibly lose one or two tomatoes for those who leap the gun. As an alternative, give them per week or two after the frost date simply to be protected.

Zone 6 (Minimal temp: -10 to 0°F)

That is prime planting season. Frost is often 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 gradual harvest.Should 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 shortly.

Professional Tip: Should you’re in a low spot that will get frost later than traditional, simply regulate 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 mild 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 will be planted mid to late Might.Beans and sunflowers develop like loopy this time of 12 months.Don’t overlook your heat-loving herbs like basil and lemongrass.

Private tip: Stake your tomatoes once you plant them. Don’t wait. I’ve realized the onerous method.

Zone 8 (Minimal temp: 10 to twenty°F)

Right here in Zone 8, Might seems like early summer time. 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 time crop.Succession planting is vital. Maintain sowing short-season crops like lettuce and radishes.Tropical crops like ginger and turmeric will be planted for those who’re adventurous.

Word: 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 price it if you wish to maintain issues like lettuce going into summer time. In addition to, the nets will do an excellent job defending your crops from pests.

Gardening reality: If one thing bolts or dies, it’s not your fault. It’s simply Zone 9 doing its factor. You’ll be able to solely attempt, however generally issues occur no matter doing all of your finest.

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

Tropical climates are an entire totally different ballgame. You could 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 an excellent time for papayas, pineapples, and herbs that thrive in warmth and humidity.Shade-lovers like amaranth, chaya, or cilantro do properly too.Watch your water; constant moisture makes all of the distinction.

Professional tip for those who reside in areas like Florida: Develop lettuce underneath taller crops or in containers as a way to transfer to shade each time mandatory. It helps prolong your season.

Conclusion

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

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

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

Dig in, experiment, and most of all, get pleasure from it. You’ll study one thing new each season.