What to Plant in May

Finally warm temperatures are here to stay and you don’t have to worry about that frost! You may think it’s too late to grow all your favorite vegetables from seeds, but warm May temperatures have made the soil perfect for sowing seeds. Warm soil will allow for fast germination and growing plants! Good choices are summertime kitchen garden staples like squash, beans, cucumbers and melons.

Listed below are flower, vegetable and herb varieties that are great to start planting in May based on the Hardiness Zone that you live in.

Beans (Zones 3-10):
You can plant both bush and pole beans now that the soil and air are warmed up as beans should not be started indoors. Try a continual 7-10 day sowing of different varieties. This will give you an abundance of bean crops and not one large harvest with wasted crop.
Learn More: How to Grow Beans
Suggested varieties: Scarlet Runner, Kentucky Wonder, Colorful Garden Blend

Beets (Zones 3-10):
You still have time to sow beets now for a fast, yummy summer treat! To provide a continuous harvest, plant seeds in various locations with a three-week time difference.
Learn More: How to Grow Beets
Suggested Varieties: Early Wonder, Cylindra, White Albino

Cabbage (Zones 3-10):
May is the time to transplant cabbage for a summer harvest. Cabbage plants do better when planted near herbs like dill and rosemary.
Learn More: How to Grow Cabbage
Suggested varieties: Red Acre, Golden Acre, Copenhagen Market

Carrots (Zones 3-10):
For a delicious fall crop, start carrots inside now so that they can be transplanted in mid-July. Try different colored varieties for making colorful stews and soups.
Learn More: How to Grow Carrots
Suggested varieties: Rainbow Mix, Dragon, Black Nebula

Corn (Zones 3-7):
Now that the weather is warmer and soil is above 55 degrees Fahrenheit, it is the perfect time to plant sweet corn for a delicious late summer to early fall harvest.
Learn More: How to Grow Corn
Suggested varieties: Buttergold, Incredible, Butter and Sugar

Cucumbers (Zones 3-10):
Cucumbers can be directly sowed or transplanted after three weeks. Cucumbers can take up a lot of space so be careful to pick a variety for the space you have in your garden.
Learn More: How to Grow Cucumbers
Suggest varieties: Spacemaster 80, Boston Pickling, Sumter

Eggplants (Zones 3-10):
When the soil temperature reaches 60 degrees Fahrenheit, it is time to transplant your eggplants outside.
Learn More: How to Grow Eggplant
Suggested varieties: Black Beauty, Bride

Herbs (Zones 3-10):
Anytime year-round is the perfect time to plant heat loving herbs like basil, oregano, rosemary and sage indoors or outdoors!
Learn More: How to Grow Herbs
Suggested varieties: Italian Basil, Greek Oregano, Common Rosemary, Broadleaf Sage

Melons (Zones 3-10):
Melons are a great warm-weather crop and are a staple for hot, long summer picnics and family fun!
Learn More: How to Grow Melons
Suggested varieties: Delicious 51, Banana Cantaloupe, Crenshaw

Peppers (Zones 3-10):
Fresh, crisp peppers are a garden favorite. Peppers take up little space and can produce high yields when planted close together. May is not too late to plant as many different varieties as possible! They come small, big, hot, mild, and an array of different colors.
Learn More: How to Grow Peppers
Suggested varieties: Carolina Reaper, Rainbow Blend Bell, California Wonder, Hot and Happy Mix

Summer Squash (Zones 3-10):
Sow summer squash now in May so that you will fresh and tasty squash and zucchini for July!
Learn More: How to Grow Squash
Suggested Varieties: Early Prolific Straightneck, Scallop Blend, Garden Spineless

Tomatoes (Zones 3-10):
May is the time to transplant your tomatoes if you haven’t already. Make sure to transplant to an area that gets full sun.
Learn More: How to Grow Tomatoes
Suggested varieties: SunSugar, Rio Grande, Sweet Seedless, Red Pear