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May is such an exciting month in the garden .

The world finally feels like it ’s waking up , the land ’s warming , and even the most reluctant plant are extend their leg . But what you may implant in May depends greatly on where you subsist .

What to Plant in May - Zone by Zone Featured

Hardened pepper seedlings

Some folks are still make do with late frosts and chilly nights , while others are already battling weeds and game tomato .

So , instead of giving you a one - size of it - fits - all list , I thought a zona - by - zona partitioning would be right smart more utile .

Here ’s what to plant in May based on your USDA hardiness zone . If you ’re not certain what zone you ’re in , you could check ithere on the USDA situation .

what to plant in may - pepper seedlings

Just bug out in your ZIP code .

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

Zone 3 (Minimum temp: -40 to -30°F)

Hardened pepper seedlings

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

Pro Tip : Use row covers if you ’re nervous about surprise frost . May is notorious for weather humour swing up here .

Broccoli Growing

Zone 4 (Minimum temp: -30 to -20°F)

Things are unfreeze out , but nights still get parky . you may start plant cool - weather crop , but keep the tender stuff and nonsense protected for now .

Pro tip : Mulching early helps the soil warm up quicker and maintain weed 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 grow . Your last Robert Lee Frost is either gone or just about to be .

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

Zone 6 (Minimum temp: -10 to 0°F)

Cucumbers flowering

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

Pro Tip : If you ’re in a low blot that pose frost later than usual , just keep an center on the 10 - daytime forecast .

Cilantro growing in a pot

Zone 7 (Minimum temp: 0 to 10°F)

Roma tomatoes

Zone 7 folks are already harvesting Japanese radish and baby spinach by now . May is your immature brightness for warm - conditions crop .

Personal wind : game your love apple when you plant them . Do n’t wait . I ’ve learned the hard way .

Cucumbers flowering

Zone 8 (Minimum temp: 10 to 20°F)

reap peppiness tuber

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

take down : Watch out for aphid and early sign of powdery mould ; May is when the bugs and fungus heat up , too .

Roma tomatoes

Zone 9 (Minimum temp: 20 to 30°F)

May is a tricky calendar month in Zone 9 . The warmth is come fast , and tender crops need regular lachrymation to avoid bolting , wilting , or fry .

Gardening fact : If something bolts or dies , it ’s not your error . It ’s just Zone 9 doing its thing . you’re able to only try , but sometimes thing happen regardless of doing your estimable .

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

Tropical climates are a whole different ballgame . You might be grow year - circular , but the ironical season vs. plastered time of year matters more than frost date .

Pro tip if you domiciliate in region like Florida : Grow lettuce under taller crops or in container so that you may move to shade off whenever necessary . It helps extend your season .

Conclusion

horticulture in May is all about play off your planting to your local conditions .

There ’s no shame in trial and mistake . I ’ve establish things too early , too late , and downright amiss . That ’s just part of the appendage .

So , whether you ’re battle frost or prepping for summertime estrus , there ’s something deserving planting this month .

Ginger tubers

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

Eggplants