What to Plant in May: A Zone-by-Zone Breakdown

May is such an exciting month in the garden.

The world finally feels like it’s waking up, the soil’s warming, and even the most reluctant plants are stretching their legs. But what you can plant in May depends greatly on where you live.

Some folks are still dealing with late frosts and chilly nights, while others are already battling weeds and staking tomatoes.

So, instead of giving you a one-size-fits-all list, I thought a zone-by-zone breakdown would be way more useful.

Here’s what to plant in May based on your USDA hardiness zone. If you’re not sure what zone you’re in, you can check it here on the USDA site.

Just pop in your ZIP code.

The Best Plants to Grow in May from Zones 3 to 10

Zone 3 (Minimum temp: -40 to -30°F)

I know some people in northern Minnesota and parts of Montana who say May still feels like early spring. It’s slow going, but you can definitely start getting your hands in the dirt.

What to plant in May (Zone 3):

• Cool-season crops: peas, carrots, radishes, spinach, lettuce, kale, and beets can go directly into the ground.
• Potatoes and onions can go in too.
• You can start hardening off tomato and pepper seedlings near the end of the month, but don’t plant them out just yet. Night temps can still dip too low.
• Flowers: pansies, snapdragons, and alyssum can handle the cold and brighten things up.

Pro Tip: Use row covers if you're nervous about surprise frosts. May is notorious for weather mood swings up here.

Zone 4 (Minimum temp: -30 to -20°F)

Things are thawing out, but nights still get chilly. You can start planting cool-weather crops, but keep the tender stuff protected for now.

What to plant in May (Zone 4):

• Sow spinach, carrots, lettuce, broccoli, and peas directly in the garden.
• Start beans and corn indoors or wait until the very end of the month to sow outside.
• You can plant perennials now, too. Peonies and daylilies are great choices.
• Tomatoes and peppers can start going outside at the end of May if your nights stay above 50°F.

Pro tip: Mulching early helps the soil warm up faster and keeps weeds from throwing a party in your garden beds.

Zone 5 (Minimum temp: -20 to -10°F)

Now we’re talking. May is when Zone 5 really gets growing. Your last frost is either gone or just about to be.

What to plant in May (Zone 5):

• Tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, beans, cucumbers, and squash can all go in after your frost date.
• Herbs like basil, parsley, and cilantro do great when planted now.
• Still a good time to sow lettuce, radishes, and spinach; they love the cool mornings.
• Zinnias and marigolds are great, easy-going flowers to add some color.

Caution: You might lose one or two tomatoes if you jump the gun. Instead, give them a week or two after the frost date just to be safe.

Zone 6 (Minimum temp: -10 to 0°F)

This is prime planting season. Frost is usually gone by mid-April, so May is all about going full throttle in the garden.

What to plant in May (Zone 6):

• Pretty much everything: beans, tomatoes, peppers, squash, cucumbers, melons, and corn.
• Start succession planting greens like lettuce, arugula, and bok choy every couple of weeks to keep a steady harvest.
• If you haven’t planted herbs, now’s a great time to put in basil, thyme, oregano, and mint.
• Annual flowers like petunias, cosmos, and nasturtiums will fill out quickly.

Pro Tip: If you’re in a low spot that gets frost later than usual, just keep an eye on the 10-day forecast.

Zone 7 (Minimum temp: 0 to 10°F)

Zone 7 folks are already harvesting radishes and baby spinach by now. May is your green light for warm-weather crops.

What to plant in May (Zone 7):

• Roma tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, corn, melons, and okra are all good to go.
• Sweet potatoes can be planted mid to late May.
• Beans and sunflowers grow like crazy this time of year.
• Don’t forget your heat-loving herbs like basil and lemongrass.

Personal tip: Stake your tomatoes when you plant them. Don’t wait. I’ve learned the hard way.

Zone 8 (Minimum temp: 10 to 20°F)

Here in Zone 8, May feels like early summer. Things grow fast, and the weeds grow faster.

What to plant in May (Zone 8):

• Eggplant, okra, peppers, sweet potatoes, and melons all love the heat.
• Bush beans and pole beans can go in now for a strong summer crop.
• Succession planting is key. Keep sowing short-season crops like lettuce and radishes.
• Tropical plants like ginger and turmeric can be planted if you’re adventurous.

Note: Watch out for aphids and early signs of powdery mildew; May is when the bugs and fungus wake up, too.

Zone 9 (Minimum temp: 20 to 30°F)

May is a tricky month in Zone 9. The heat is coming fast, and tender crops need regular watering to avoid bolting, wilting, or frying.

What to plant in May (Zone 9):

• Sweet potatoes, okra, southern peas, and melons thrive in the heat.
• Still time to plant eggplant and peppers, but they’ll need water and mulch.
• Malabar spinach and New Zealand spinach handle heat better than regular spinach.
• Shade cloths and shade nets are worth it if you want to keep things like lettuce going into summer. Besides, the nets will do a great job protecting your plants from pests.

Gardening fact: If something bolts or dies, it’s not your fault. It’s just Zone 9 doing its thing. You can only try, but sometimes things happen regardless of doing your best.

Zone 10 and Up (Minimum temp: 30°F and above)

Tropical climates are a whole different ballgame. You might be growing year-round, but the dry season vs. wet season matters more than frost dates.

What to plant in May (Zone 10+):

• Heat-loving crops: okra, eggplant, chilies, sweet potatoes, and southern peas.
• May’s a good time for papayas, pineapples, and herbs that thrive in heat and humidity.
• Shade-lovers like amaranth, chaya, or cilantro do well too.
• Watch your water; consistent moisture makes all the difference.

Pro tip if you reside in areas like Florida: Grow lettuce under taller crops or in containers so that you can move to shade whenever necessary. It helps extend your season.

Conclusion

Gardening in May is all about matching your planting to your local conditions.

There’s no shame in trial and error. I’ve planted things too early, too late, and downright wrong. That’s just part of the process.

So, whether you're battling frost or prepping for summer heat, there's something worth planting this month.

Dig in, experiment, and most of all, enjoy it. You’ll learn something new every season.