Hooray for warm weather and warm weather vegetables. Spring is here and summer is just around the corner! This is the heyday of gardening for those cooler areas of the country. Here’s what to plant in May for your area!
Click here to read more!
What To Plant In January
What To Plant In February
What To Plant In March
What To Plant In April
What To Plant In June
What To Plant In July
What To Plant In August
What To Plant In September
What To Plant In October
What To Plant In November
What To Plant In December
What To Plant In May By USDA Plant Hardiness Zone
The USDA Plant Hardiness Zones are created by dividing the United States into various zones based on their coldest temperatures. These zones are helpful in giving us an idea of what is likely to grow well in a given location at each time of year.
Of course, your micro climate makes a big difference too. The individual characteristics of your property, and even spaces within your garden can create warmer and cooler areas where specific plants may thrive.
All of the plants suggested below can be grown without season extenders. If you are using a greenhouse, cloches, or covers, you may even be able to grow more than what’s listed for your zone.
Zone 2
Right now is a fabulous time for gardening in zone 2 so try to enjoy it while you can! You can plant these vegetables now:
- Asparagus
- Basil
- Beans
- Beets
- Brussels sprouts
- Cabbage
- Carrots
- Cauliflower
- Celery
- Chard
- Collards
- Cucumber
- Dill
- Jerusalem artichokes
- Kale
- Lettuce
- Marrow
- Mustard greens
- Onion
- Parsnip
- Peas
- Peppers
- Potato
- Pumpkin
- Radish
- Savory
- Shallots
- Spinach
- Spring onions
- Squash
- Strawberries
- Turnips
- Zucchini
Zone 3
Like zone 2, it’s time to get serious about your garden right now in zone 3. Here’s what you should be focusing on right now:
- Basil
- Beans
- Beets
- Brussels sprouts
- Cabbage
- Carrots
- Cauliflower
- Celery
- Chard
- Corn
- Collards
- Cucumber
- Dill
- Eggplant
- Jerusalem artichokes
- Kale
- Kholrabi
- Leeks
- Lettuce
- Marrow
- Mustard greens
- Parsley
- Parsnip
- Peas
- Peppers
- Potato
- Pumpkin
- Radish
- Savory
- Shallots
- Spinach
- Spring onions
- Squash
- Strawberries
- Sunflower
- Tomato
- Turnips
- Zucchini
And if you are in zone 3b you can also plant chicory, fennel, gooseberries, and tomatillos.
Zone 4
Here are some the many things you can choose from to plant right now in zone 4!
- Arugula
- Basil
- Beans
- Beets
- Borage
- Brussels sprouts
- Cabbage
- Cardoon
- Carrots
- Cauliflower
- Celeriac
- Celery
- Chard
- Chives
- Corn
- Collards
- Coriander
- Cucumber
- Dill
- Eggplant
- Endive
- Fennel
- Gooseberry
- Jerusalem artichokes
- Kale
- Kholrabi
- Leeks
- Lemon balm
- Lettuce
- Marrow
- Mint
- Mustard greens
- Okra
- Pak choi
- Parsley
- Parsnip
- Peas
- Peppers
- Potato
- Pumpkin
- Radish
- Rosemary
- Savory
- Shallots
- Spinach
- Spring onions
- Squash
- Strawberries
- Sunflower
- Tarragon
- Thyme
- Tomatillo
- Tomato
- Turnips
- Watermelon
- Yam
- Zucchini
Zone 5
This is a lovely crossover time in zone 5 where you can plant many warm and some cool weather veggies at the same time. Here’s a list of them all for you:
- Angelica
- Arugula
- Asparagus
- Basil
- Beans
- Beets
- Borage
- Brussels sprouts
- Cabbage
- Cantaloupe
- Cardoon
- Carrots
- Cauliflower
- Celeriac
- Celery
- Chard
- Chicory
- Chives
- Corn
- Collards
- Coriander
- Cucumber
- Daikon
- Dill
- Eggplant
- Endive
- Fennel
- Gooseberry
- Jerusalem artichokes
- Kale
- Kholrabi
- Leeks
- Lemon balm
- Lettuce
- Luffa
- Marrow
- Mint
- Mustard greens
- Okra
- Oregano
- Pak choi
- Parsley
- Peas
- Peppers
- Potato
- Pumpkin
- Radish
- Rosemary
- Savory
- Shallots
- Spinach
- Spring onions
- Squash
- Strawberries
- Sunflower
- Tarragon
- Thyme
- Tomatillo
- Tomato
- Turnips
- Watermelon
- Yam
- Zucchini
For zone 5b you can also grow napa cabbage right now.
Zone 6
There are many options for you to plant right now in zone 6.
- Artichokes
- Asparagus
- Basil
- Beans
- Beets
- Broccoli
- Brussels sprouts
- Carrot
- Canteloupe
- Cauliflower
- Celery
- Chard
- Chives
- Cilantro
- Collards
- Corn
- Cucumber
- Daikon
- Dill
- Eggplant
- Endive
- Fennel
- Gooseberry
- Kohlrabi
- Leeks
- Lemon Balm
- Lettuce
- Luffa
- Marrow
- Mint
- Mustard greens
- Napa cabbage
- Okra
- Oregano
- Parsley
- Parsnip
- Peas
- Peppers
- Potato
- Pumpkin
- Radish
- Savory
- Spring onions
- Squash
- Strawberries
- Sunflower
- Sweet Potato
- Tarragon
- Thyme
- Tomatillo
- Tomato
- Turnip
- Watermelon
- Zucchini
Zone 7
Like most of the gardening zones, May is prime garden time in zone 7 right now.
- Amaranth
- Artichokes
- Basil
- Beans
- Cantaloupe
- Celery
- Chard
- Chives
- Cilantro
- Corn
- Cucumber
- Dill
- Eggplant
- Endive
- Fennel
- Gooseberry
- Kohlrabi
- Leeks
- Luffa
- Marrow
- Mint
- Okra
- Oregano
- Parsley
- Parsnip
- Peppers
- Potato
- Pumpkin
- Radish
- Rosemary
- Savory
- Spring onions
- Squash
- Strawberries
- Sunflower
- Sweet Potato
- Tarragon
- Thyme
- Tomatillo
- Tomato
- Watermelon
- Zucchini
If you are in 7b it’s getting a bit warm for artichokes and potatos now.
Zone 8
The warmer weather of zone 8 means you should stick with artichokes, basil, beans, peppers, corn, cucumber, dill, endive, leeks, luffa, marjoram, marrow, okra, parsley, parsnip, peppers, pumpkin, sage, savory, squash, strawberries, sweet potato, tomato, and zucchini.
Zone 9
Zone 9 is my zone, and I know that it’s going to be hot FAST. Cantaloupe, corn, cucumbers, eggplant, marrow, parsley, peppers, and sweet potato all have the best chance of survival.
Zone 10
You should still be able to get a harvest with basil, cucumber, cantaloupe, peppers, sweet potato, and watermelon for zone 10 right now.
Zones 11, 12, and 13
It’s too hot for much, but you may be okay with cantaloupe, peppers, sweet potatoes, and watermelon.
Happy gardening everyone!
Want To Raise Happy Chickens?
Subscribe for our newsletter and get the free email course Intro To Backyard Chickens as well as a free printable checklist to walk you through step by step!