What to plant in May — zone 4a
Zone 4a averages its last spring frost around May 20 and its first fall frost around September 20. Everything below is timed from those two dates, so it stays useful whether you're planting for summer or for a fall harvest.
Transplant out
- Lettucearound May 6
Goes out 2 weeks before last frost — it takes the cold.
- Onionaround May 6
Goes out 2 weeks before last frost — it takes the cold.
- Strawberryaround May 6
Goes out 2 weeks before last frost — it takes the cold.
- Parsleyaround May 6
Goes out 2 weeks before last frost — it takes the cold.
- Mintaround May 6
Goes out 2 weeks before last frost — it takes the cold.
Direct sow
- Potatoaround May 6
Soil is ready -2 weeks before last frost.
- Cilantroaround May 6
Soil is ready -2 weeks before last frost.
- Parsleyaround May 6
Soil is ready -2 weeks before last frost.
- Dillaround May 20
Soil is ready 0 weeks after last frost.
- Bush beanaround May 27
Soil is ready 1 weeks after last frost.
- Cucumberaround May 27
Soil is ready 1 weeks after last frost.
Plan & order
- Order fall seedaround May 23
Fall brassicas and greens get sown in the heat of summer — have the seed on hand before that window opens.
Start indoors for fall
- Broccoliaround May 26
Fall broccoli window opens — sow trays any time in the next four weeks.
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