What to plant in May — zone 6b
Zone 6b averages its last spring frost around April 25 and its first fall frost around October 15. 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
- Bush beanaround May 2
Soil is ready 1 weeks after last frost.
- Cucumberaround May 2
Soil is ready 1 weeks after last frost.
- Zucchiniaround May 9
Soil is ready 2 weeks after last frost.
- Basilaround May 9
Soil is ready 2 weeks after last frost.
- Sweet cornaround May 9
Soil is ready 2 weeks after last frost.
- Winter squasharound May 9
Soil is ready 2 weeks after last frost.
- Basilaround May 9
Soil is ready 2 weeks after last frost.
- Watermelonaround May 9
Soil is ready 2 weeks after last frost.
- Cantaloupe / Melonaround May 9
Soil is ready 2 weeks after last frost.
- Bush beanaround May 9
Warm soil — first summer sowing of bush bean.
- Cucumberaround May 9
Warm soil — first summer sowing of cucumber.
- Zucchiniaround May 9
Warm soil — first summer sowing of zucchini.
- Sweet cornaround May 9
Warm soil — first summer sowing of sweet corn.
- Basilaround May 9
Warm soil — first summer sowing of basil.
- Winter squasharound May 16
Warm soil — first summer sowing of winter squash.
- Beetaround May 23
Warm soil — first summer sowing of beet.
- Carrotaround May 23
Warm soil — first summer sowing of carrot.
Transplant out
- Tomatoaround May 9
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 9
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 9
Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. Trellis vertically to double yield in the same footprint and cut mildew.
- Zucchiniaround May 9
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 9
Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. Pinch tips weekly. Once flowers open, leaves lose flavor — snip them fast.
- Winter squasharound May 9
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 9
Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. Pinch flower spikes the moment you see them — leaves stay sweet all season.
- Oreganoaround May 9
Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. Harvest just before flowering for the strongest flavor. Dries beautifully.
- Thymearound May 9
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 9
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 9
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 9
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 16
3-4 in of straw or leaves now holds water, blocks weeds, and cools roots for the whole summer.
- Set up deep wateringaround May 23
Switch to fewer, longer soaks (1-1.5 in/week at the root) instead of daily sprinkles.
Succession sow
- Bush beanaround May 23
Sowing 2: replant every 14 days so one planting never has to feed you all season.
- Sweet cornaround May 23
Sowing 2: replant every 14 days so one planting never has to feed you all season.
- Cucumberaround May 30
Sowing 2: replant every 21 days so one planting never has to feed you all season.
- Zucchiniaround May 30
Sowing 2: replant every 21 days so one planting never has to feed you all season.
- Basilaround May 30
Sowing 2: replant every 21 days so one planting never has to feed you all season.
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