What to plant in May, zone 3a
In zone 3a, the typical last spring frost is May 29 and the first fall frost is September 5. Here is your May checklist.
Start indoors
Start these indoors this month:
Transplant outdoors
Move these out to the garden this month:
- BroccoliMay 8 to May 15
- CabbageMay 8 to May 15
- CantaloupeMay 29 to June 12
- CauliflowerMay 15 to May 22
- CollardsMay 15
- CucumberMay 29 to June 12
- DahliaMay 29 to June 12
- EggplantMay 29 to June 12
- English LavenderMay 29 to June 12
- KaleApril 24 to May 1
- LettuceMay 29
- MarigoldMay 29 to June 12
- PepperMay 29 to June 12
- PetuniaMay 29 to June 12
- SpinachMay 29
- Swiss ChardMay 29
- TomatoMay 29 to June 12
- WatermelonMay 29 to June 12
Direct sow
Sow these straight into the ground this month:
- BasilMay 29
- BeetMay 8 to May 15
- BroccoliMay 8 to May 15
- CabbageMay 8 to May 15
- CantaloupeMay 29 to June 12
- CarrotMay 8 to May 15
- CauliflowerMay 15 to May 22
- CollardsMay 8
- CucumberMay 29 to June 12
- DillMay 29
- Green Bean (Snap Bean)May 22
- KaleApril 24 to May 1
- LettuceMay 8 to May 15
- MarigoldMay 29 to June 12
- ParsleyMay 29
- ParsnipMay 8 to May 15
- PotatoMay 8 to May 15
- PumpkinMay 29 to June 12
- RadishMay 8 to May 15
- SpinachMay 1 to May 8
- SunflowerMay 29 to June 12
- Sweet CornMay 29 to June 12
- Swiss ChardMay 1 to May 8
- WatermelonMay 29 to June 12
- Winter SquashMay 29 to June 12
- ZucchiniMay 29 to June 12
Fall planting
Plant these for fall and overwintering this month:
- Brussels SproutsMay 9
Want your exact dates?
These are zone 3a averages. Enter your ZIP for a calendar built on your nearest weather station.
Open the planting calendarUSDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, 2023. USDA Agricultural Research Service / Oregon State University PRISM Group. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020. Zone dates are medians; local conditions vary.