What to plant in May, zone 5b
In zone 5b, the typical last spring frost is May 1 and the first fall frost is October 10. Here is your May checklist.
Transplant outdoors
Move these out to the garden this month:
- CantaloupeMay 1 to May 15
- CucumberMay 1 to May 15
- DahliaMay 1 to May 15
- EggplantMay 1 to May 15
- English LavenderMay 1 to May 15
- LettuceMay 1
- MarigoldMay 1 to May 15
- PepperMay 1 to May 15
- PetuniaMay 1 to May 15
- SpinachMay 1
- Swiss ChardMay 1
- TomatoMay 1 to May 15
- WatermelonMay 1 to May 15
Direct sow
Sow these straight into the ground this month:
- BasilMay 1
- CantaloupeMay 1 to May 15
- CucumberMay 1 to May 15
- DillMay 1
- MarigoldMay 1 to May 15
- ParsleyMay 1
- PumpkinMay 1 to May 15
- SunflowerMay 1 to May 15
- Sweet CornMay 1 to May 15
- WatermelonMay 1 to May 15
- Winter SquashMay 1 to May 15
- ZucchiniMay 1 to May 15
Harvest
Expect to harvest these this month:
- RadishMay 5 to June 1
Want your exact dates?
These are zone 5b 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.