What to plant in May — zone 5b
Zone 5b averages its last spring frost around May 5 and its first fall frost around October 5. 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 5
Soil is ready 0 weeks after last frost.
- Bush beanaround May 12
Soil is ready 1 weeks after last frost.
- Cucumberaround May 12
Soil is ready 1 weeks after last frost.
- Zucchiniaround May 19
Soil is ready 2 weeks after last frost.
- Basilaround May 19
Soil is ready 2 weeks after last frost.
- Sweet cornaround May 19
Soil is ready 2 weeks after last frost.
- Winter squasharound May 19
Soil is ready 2 weeks after last frost.
- Basilaround May 19
Soil is ready 2 weeks after last frost.
- Watermelonaround May 19
Soil is ready 2 weeks after last frost.
- Cantaloupe / Melonaround May 19
Soil is ready 2 weeks after last frost.
- Bush beanaround May 19
Warm soil — first summer sowing of bush bean.
- Cucumberaround May 19
Warm soil — first summer sowing of cucumber.
- Zucchiniaround May 19
Warm soil — first summer sowing of zucchini.
- Sweet cornaround May 19
Warm soil — first summer sowing of sweet corn.
- Basilaround May 19
Warm soil — first summer sowing of basil.
- Winter squasharound May 26
Warm soil — first summer sowing of winter squash.
Transplant out
- Tomatoaround May 19
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 19
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 19
Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. Trellis vertically to double yield in the same footprint and cut mildew.
- Zucchiniaround May 19
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 19
Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. Pinch tips weekly. Once flowers open, leaves lose flavor — snip them fast.
- Winter squasharound May 19
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 19
Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. Pinch flower spikes the moment you see them — leaves stay sweet all season.
- Oreganoaround May 19
Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. Harvest just before flowering for the strongest flavor. Dries beautifully.
- Thymearound May 19
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 19
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 19
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 19
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 26
3-4 in of straw or leaves now holds water, blocks weeds, and cools roots for the whole summer.
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