What to plant in May, zone 5a
In zone 5a, the typical last spring frost is May 3 and the first fall frost is October 5. Here is your May checklist.
Transplant outdoors
Move these out to the garden this month:
- CantaloupeMay 3 to May 17
- CucumberMay 3 to May 17
- DahliaMay 3 to May 17
- EggplantMay 3 to May 17
- English LavenderMay 3 to May 17
- LettuceMay 3
- MarigoldMay 3 to May 17
- PepperMay 3 to May 17
- PetuniaMay 3 to May 17
- SpinachMay 3
- Swiss ChardMay 3
- TomatoMay 3 to May 17
- WatermelonMay 3 to May 17
Direct sow
Sow these straight into the ground this month:
- BasilMay 3
- CantaloupeMay 3 to May 17
- CucumberMay 3 to May 17
- DillMay 3
- MarigoldMay 3 to May 17
- ParsleyMay 3
- PumpkinMay 3 to May 17
- SunflowerMay 3 to May 17
- Sweet CornMay 3 to May 17
- WatermelonMay 3 to May 17
- Winter SquashMay 3 to May 17
- ZucchiniMay 3 to May 17
Harvest
Expect to harvest these this month:
- RadishMay 7 to June 3
Want your exact dates?
These are zone 5a 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.