What to plant in May — zone 9a
Zone 9a averages its last spring frost around February 28 and its first fall frost around December 5. Everything below is timed from those two dates, so it stays useful whether you're planting for summer or for a fall harvest.
Succession sow
- Winter squasharound May 2
Sowing 3: replant every 21 days so one planting never has to feed you all season.
- Beetaround May 9
Sowing 3: replant every 21 days so one planting never has to feed you all season.
- Carrotaround May 9
Sowing 3: replant every 21 days so one planting never has to feed you all season.
- Cucumberaround May 16
Sowing 4: replant every 21 days so one planting never has to feed you all season.
- Zucchiniaround May 16
Sowing 4: replant every 21 days so one planting never has to feed you all season.
- Basilaround May 16
Sowing 4: replant every 21 days so one planting never has to feed you all season.
- Winter squasharound May 23
Sowing 4: replant every 21 days so one planting never has to feed you all season.
- Beetaround May 30
Sowing 4: replant every 21 days so one planting never has to feed you all season.
- Carrotaround May 30
Sowing 4: replant every 21 days so one planting never has to feed you all season.
Garden care
- Scout for pests weeklyaround May 2
Squash bugs, hornworms and cucumber beetles peak now — five minutes of hand-picking beats a rescue spray.
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