What to sow and plant in May
58 crops on the list have something to do in May at 50.0°. These dates are not a fixed calendar: they are calculated from the estimated last spring frost for this latitude, so they move with your location.
This month normally sits between the last spring frost and the first autumn one, so tender crops can be outside. Heat, water supply and disease pressure become the limits instead of cold.
Sow direct outdoors(28)
Sown where the crop will grow. Soil temperature decides this more than the calendar does, so check the figure on each crop page before sowing.
- 🥔Potatoes21 Apr – 19 May≥8°C
- 🥒Cucumbers19 May – 2 Jun≥16°C
- 🥒Zucchini12 May – 26 May≥16°C
- 🥬Lettuce7 Apr – 30 Jun≥5°C
- 🥕Carrots14 Apr – 4 Jul≥7°C
- 🧅Onions14 Apr – 19 May≥8°C
- 🫘Beans12 May – 9 Jun≥12°C
- 🍠Beetroot14 Apr – 30 Jun≥7°C
- 🥕Radishes7 Apr – 14 Jul≥5°C
- 🥬Spinach31 Mar – 26 May≥5°C
- 🥬Kale5 May – 4 Jul≥7°C
- 🥦Broccoli5 May – 19 Jun≥7°C
- 🥬Kohlrabi14 Apr – 4 Jul≥7°C
- 🫛Peas24 Mar – 26 May≥8°C
- 🫘Broad beans6 Mar – 19 May≥5°C
- 🎃Pumpkins12 May – 26 May≥16°C
- 🌽Sweetcorn12 May – 2 Jun≥12°C
- 🥕Parsnips7 Apr – 26 May≥8°C
- 🥬Swiss chard14 Apr – 4 Jul≥7°C
- 🌿Parsley14 Apr – 4 Jul
- 🌿Chives7 Apr – 19 Jun≥8°C
- 🌿Dill21 Apr – 14 Jul≥8°C
- 🌿Coriander21 Apr – 14 Jul≥8°C
- 🌻Sunflowers5 May – 19 Jun≥12°C
- 🌼Marigolds12 May – 19 Jun≥15°C
- 🌺Lilies5 Apr – 4 Jun
- 🌸Sweet peas14 Apr – 26 May≥8°C
- 🌱Lawn28 Apr – 9 Jun
Plant out(41)
Moved from pots to their final position. Harden plants off over a week first; a tender crop planted into cold soil stalls rather than grows.
- 🍅Tomatoes12 May – 2 Jun
- 🥒Cucumbers19 May – 2 Jun
- 🫑Peppers19 May – 9 Jun
- 🥒Zucchini12 May – 26 May
- 🥬Cabbage21 Apr – 19 May
- 🥬Kale26 May – 14 Jul
- 🥦Broccoli28 Apr – 19 Jun
- 🥦Cauliflower28 Apr – 9 Jun
- 🥬Brussels sprouts28 Apr – 2 Jun
- 🥬Kohlrabi28 Apr – 4 Jul
- 🧅Leeks26 May – 14 Jul
- 🎃Pumpkins12 May – 2 Jun
- 🌽Sweetcorn19 May – 9 Jun
- 🍆Aubergines26 May – 16 Jun
- 🍠Celeriac19 May – 16 Jun
- 🌱Asparagus5 Apr – 26 May
- 🌿Rhubarb6 Mar – 4 Jun
- 🍇Grapes6 Mar – 4 Jun
- 🍓Strawberries5 Apr – 4 Jul
- 🫐Raspberries4 Feb – 4 Jun
- 🫐Blackberries4 Feb – 4 Jun
- 🫐Blackcurrants4 Feb – 4 Jun
- 🍒Redcurrants4 Feb – 4 Jun
- 🫐Gooseberries4 Feb – 4 Jun
- 🫐Blueberries6 Mar – 4 Jun
- 🌿Basil19 May – 2 Jun
- 🌿Mint5 Apr – 4 Jul
- 🌿Rosemary19 May – 4 Jul
- 🌿Thyme12 May – 19 Jun
- 🌿Oregano12 May – 19 Jun
- 🌿Sage12 May – 19 Jun
- 🌿Chives21 Apr – 4 Jul
- 🌿Lemon balm12 May – 19 Jun
- 🌿Lavender12 May – 4 Jul
- 🌹Roses6 Mar – 4 Jun
- 🌸Dahlias19 May – 9 Jun
- 💐Hydrangeas5 Apr – 19 Jun
- 🌻Sunflowers19 May – 9 Jun
- 🌼Marigolds12 May – 9 Jun
- 🌸Clematis5 Apr – 4 Jul
- 🌸Sweet peas21 Apr – 26 May
Ready to harvest(3)
An approximate window from the sowing dates above. Each crop page carries the physical cue that beats any date.
What to watch for in May
Problems the database lists for this part of the year, most damaging first. Each one calculates live risk for your location on its own page.