What to plant in May — zone 5a
Zone 5a averages its last spring frost around May 10 and its first fall frost around October 1. Everything below is timed from those two dates, so it stays useful whether you're planting for summer or for a fall harvest.
Direct sow
- Dillaround May 10
Soil is ready 0 weeks after last frost.
- Bush beanaround May 17
Soil is ready 1 weeks after last frost.
- Cucumberaround May 17
Soil is ready 1 weeks after last frost.
- Zucchiniaround May 24
Soil is ready 2 weeks after last frost.
- Basilaround May 24
Soil is ready 2 weeks after last frost.
- Sweet cornaround May 24
Soil is ready 2 weeks after last frost.
- Winter squasharound May 24
Soil is ready 2 weeks after last frost.
- Basilaround May 24
Soil is ready 2 weeks after last frost.
- Watermelonaround May 24
Soil is ready 2 weeks after last frost.
- Cantaloupe / Melonaround May 24
Soil is ready 2 weeks after last frost.
- Bush beanaround May 24
Warm soil — first summer sowing of bush bean.
- Cucumberaround May 24
Warm soil — first summer sowing of cucumber.
- Zucchiniaround May 24
Warm soil — first summer sowing of zucchini.
- Sweet cornaround May 24
Warm soil — first summer sowing of sweet corn.
- Basilaround May 24
Warm soil — first summer sowing of basil.
- Winter squasharound May 31
Warm soil — first summer sowing of winter squash.
Transplant out
- Tomatoaround May 24
Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. Bury 2/3 of the transplant stem — roots form along the buried stem for a stronger plant.
- Pepperaround May 24
Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. Pinch first flowers on transplants so the plant invests in roots before setting fruit.
- Cucumberaround May 24
Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. Trellis vertically to double yield in the same footprint and cut mildew.
- Zucchiniaround May 24
Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. One plant feeds a family. Pick at 6-8 in for the sweetest fruit.
- Basilaround May 24
Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. Pinch tips weekly. Once flowers open, leaves lose flavor — snip them fast.
- Winter squasharound May 24
Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. Cure 10 days in a warm dry spot after harvest — the skin toughens and storage doubles.
- Basilaround May 24
Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. Pinch flower spikes the moment you see them — leaves stay sweet all season.
- Oreganoaround May 24
Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. Harvest just before flowering for the strongest flavor. Dries beautifully.
- Thymearound May 24
Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. Needs sharp drainage — plant in gravelly soil or a raised bed edge. Never wet feet.
- Sagearound May 24
Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. Prune hard in spring to prevent woody stems and keep the plant productive for 5+ years.
- Watermelonaround May 24
Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. Ripe = tendril nearest the fruit is brown and the ground spot has turned buttery yellow.
- Cantaloupe / Melonaround May 24
Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. Ripe fruit slips off the vine with a gentle tug — the smell alone tells you.
Garden care
- Mulch every bedaround May 31
3-4 in of straw or leaves now holds water, blocks weeds, and cools roots for the whole summer.
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