Quick facts
Main tasks: Main warm-season planting month after frost in many regions.
Good candidates: Tomatoes, peppers, basil, cucumbers, beans, squash, annual flowers.
Timing note: Wait for warm nights for basil, peppers, and eggplant.
Planting calendar guide
May
Main tasks: Main warm-season planting month after frost in many regions.
What to do next
- Find your local first and last frost dates.
- Sort crops into cool-season and warm-season groups.
- Start slow with a few reliable crops or herbs.
- Use containers or row cover to extend the season.
- Write down what worked so next year is easier.
Watch-outs
A month-by-month calendar is general. Your exact dates depend on ZIP code, frost, heat, rainfall, and microclimate.
Related
FAQ
How do I use this planting calendar guide?
Start with the light, soil, water, symptom, or purpose notes on this page, then make one careful change at a time.
What is the biggest mistake with May?
A month-by-month calendar is general. Your exact dates depend on ZIP code, frost, heat, rainfall, and microclimate.
When should I get more help?
Get local help if the plant is valuable, symptoms are spreading quickly, or outdoor disease and pest problems may affect nearby plants.