What to Plant in May 2026: Zone-by-Zone Guide

Q: What vegetables can I plant in May?

In May, most US zones can plant warm-season vegetables including tomatoes, peppers, squash, cucumbers, beans, corn, and melons. In northern zones (3-4), May is still time for cool-season crops like lettuce, peas, and radishes, with warm-season transplants going out in late May after the last frost.

Q: What flowers should I plant in May?

May is perfect for planting annual flowers like marigolds, zinnias, petunias, cosmos, sunflowers, and impatiens. In most zones, perennials like coneflowers, black-eyed Susans, daylilies, and lavender can also be planted. Wait until after your last frost date for tender annuals.

Published March 2026 · 12 min read

May is the most exciting planting month for gardeners across the US. In most zones, the last frost has passed or is about to, and the soil is warm enough for heat-loving crops. But what you should plant in May depends entirely on your USDA hardiness zone. Here's your complete zone-by-zone guide to what to plant in May 2026.

Don't know your zone? Find your USDA hardiness zone here or check your last frost date before planting.

Zones 3-4: The Last Frontier

Average last frost: Mid-May to early June
States: Northern Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, parts of Maine, Wyoming, Alaska

Vegetables to Plant in May (Zones 3-4)

Direct sow outdoors (early May):

Peas: Still time for a spring crop. Plant sugar snap and snow peas immediately.
Lettuce, spinach, arugula: Direct sow greens while nights are still cool. Succession plant every 2 weeks.
Radishes: Fast-growing (25-30 days). Sow every 10 days for continuous harvest.
Potatoes: Plant seed potatoes as soon as soil can be worked.
Carrots, beets, turnips: Direct sow root vegetables in early May.
Onion sets: Plant directly in garden beds.

Transplant outdoors (late May, after last frost):

Tomatoes: Use wall-o-waters or cloches for protection. Choose short-season varieties (Early Girl, Stupice, Glacier).
Peppers: Wait until nighttime temps stay above 50°F. Start with transplants, not seed.
Broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower: Transplant hardened-off seedlings.

Hold off until June: Cucumbers, squash, melons, beans, corn — these need soil temps above 60°F.

Flowers for May (Zones 3-4)

Pansies and violas: Cold-hardy, plant immediately
Sweet peas: Direct sow early May
Snapdragons: Transplant cool-season annuals
Hardy perennials: Daylilies, hostas, bleeding heart — divide and plant
Wait for late May: Marigolds, zinnias, petunias (after frost danger passes)

Herbs for May (Zones 3-4)

Direct sow: Dill, cilantro, chives, parsley (cold-tolerant)
Transplant after last frost: Basil, rosemary, thyme, oregano

Zones 5-6: The Sweet Spot

Average last frost: Late April to mid-May
States: Most of the Midwest, Northeast, parts of the Pacific Northwest, Colorado, Utah

Vegetables to Plant in May (Zones 5-6)

Direct sow outdoors:

Beans (bush and pole): Direct sow after last frost. Soil should be at least 60°F.
Corn: Direct sow in blocks (not rows) for pollination. Soil temp 60°F+.
Cucumbers: Direct sow or transplant after last frost.
Squash and zucchini: Direct sow 2-3 seeds per hill after frost danger.
Pumpkins: Direct sow for fall harvest.
Lettuce and greens: Continue succession sowing. Switch to heat-tolerant varieties.
Carrots, beets: Direct sow for summer harvest.

Transplant outdoors:

Tomatoes: Transplant after last frost. Bury stems deep for stronger roots.
Peppers and eggplant: Transplant when nighttime temps stay above 55°F.
Melons and watermelons: Transplant on black plastic mulch for warmth.
Broccoli, cabbage: Last chance for spring crops.

Flowers for May (Zones 5-6)

Annual flowers: Marigolds, zinnias, cosmos, sunflowers, petunias, impatiens — plant after frost
Perennials to plant: Coneflowers, black-eyed Susans, daylilies, salvia, lavender
Dahlia tubers: Plant after last frost, 4-6 inches deep
Gladiolus bulbs: Plant every 2 weeks for continuous blooms

Herbs for May (Zones 5-6)

All herbs go out now: Basil, cilantro, dill, parsley, chives, thyme, oregano, rosemary, mint, sage
Start from seed outdoors: Basil, dill, cilantro (direct sow)

Not sure what's sprouting in your garden?
Use our free AI plant identifier to tell seedlings from weeds.

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Zones 7-8: Full Steam Ahead

Average last frost: Late March to mid-April (already passed by May)
States: Southeast, Mid-Atlantic, parts of Texas, Oklahoma, Pacific Northwest coast

Vegetables to Plant in May (Zones 7-8)

Direct sow and transplant:

Sweet potatoes: Plant slips in warm soil. One of the best May crops for these zones.
Okra: Direct sow after soil reaches 65°F. Soak seeds overnight first.
Southern peas (cowpeas, black-eyed peas): Direct sow in warm soil.
Lima beans: Direct sow — they need warm soil (65°F+).
Cucumbers, squash, melons: Succession plant for extended harvest.
Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant: If you haven't already, transplant now.
Corn: Plant successive sowings every 2 weeks through May.

Winding down: Cool-season crops (lettuce, peas, broccoli) will bolt in the heat. Harvest what's left and replace with warm-season plants.

Flowers for May (Zones 7-8)

Heat lovers: Zinnias, lantana, pentas, portulaca, celosia, vinca
Tropical plants: Cannas, elephant ears, mandevilla
Perennials: Coreopsis, gardenias, salvia, butterfly weed
Replacing spring annuals: Swap out pansies (they'll fry) for heat-tolerant options

Herbs for May (Zones 7-8)

Heat-loving herbs: Basil (plant lots — it thrives now), lemongrass, Mexican oregano
Last chance: Cilantro and dill bolt quickly in heat — plant in partial shade or wait for fall

Zones 9-10: Summer Mode

Average last frost: January-February (or frost-free)
States: Southern Florida, Southern California, South Texas, Hawaii, Desert Southwest

Vegetables to Plant in May (Zones 9-10)

Sweet potatoes: Ideal planting time. Plant slips 12 inches apart.
Okra: Thrives in summer heat. Direct sow now.
Southern peas, lima beans: Direct sow for summer harvest.
Peppers (hot varieties): Jalapeños, habaneros, serranos love the heat.
Eggplant: Transplant or direct sow — it loves warm soil.
Malabar spinach: Heat-tolerant alternative to regular spinach.
Yard-long beans: Direct sow along a trellis.

Avoid in May: Cool-season crops will fail. No lettuce, peas, broccoli, or spinach until fall. Tomatoes may struggle as temperatures exceed 95°F — fruit won't set in extreme heat.

Flowers for May (Zones 9-10)

Tropical and sub-tropical: Plumeria, hibiscus, bougainvillea, bird of paradise
Heat-proof annuals: Portulaca, vinca, pentas, angelonia, coleus (shade)
Sunflowers: Direct sow for summer blooms
Bulbs: Caladium, elephant ear, canna lily

Herbs for May (Zones 9-10)

Thrives in heat: Basil, rosemary, lemongrass, Mexican mint marigold, culantro (cilantro substitute)
Skip for now: Cilantro, dill, chervil — too hot, plant again in October

May Planting Tips for Every Zone

Soil Preparation

Test your soil: May is a great time for a soil test. Your local extension office can help.
Add compost: Work 2-3 inches of compost into beds before planting.
Check soil temperature: Use a soil thermometer. Most warm-season crops need soil at 60-65°F minimum.

Transplanting Success

Harden off seedlings: Gradually expose indoor-started seedlings to outdoor conditions over 7-10 days.
Plant on cloudy days: Transplant in the evening or on overcast days to reduce shock.
Water deeply: Soak transplants well at planting and keep soil consistently moist the first week.

Pest Prevention

Identify before you spray: Not all insects are pests. Use our plant identifier to check if that bug is friend or foe.
Companion planting: Marigolds deter nematodes, basil repels aphids from tomatoes, nasturtiums trap aphids away from vegetables.
Watch for look-alikes: Learn to tell seedlings from weeds so you don't accidentally pull your new plants.

Frequently Asked Questions

What vegetables can I plant in May?

In most US zones, May is ideal for warm-season vegetables: tomatoes, peppers, squash, cucumbers, beans, corn, and melons. In northern zones (3-4), you can still plant cool-season crops like lettuce, peas, and radishes early in the month. Check your hardiness zone for specific timing.

Is it too late to plant a garden in May?

Not at all — May is actually the ideal planting month for most of the US. In zones 3-6, it marks the transition to warm-season planting. In zones 7-10, May is prime time for heat-loving crops. The only things that might be too late are cool-season crops in southern zones.

What flowers should I plant in May?

May is perfect for annual flowers like marigolds, zinnias, petunias, cosmos, sunflowers, and impatiens. Perennials like coneflowers, black-eyed Susans, daylilies, and lavender can also go in the ground. Wait until after your last frost date for tender annuals.