Top 15 Vegetables to Sow in May for an Abundant Harvest of Fresh Homegrown Summer Produce
Sowing Seeds and Transplanting Vegetables in May: Busting Out the Gloves and Getting Planting!
Springtime has sprung, and it's high time to get your green thumb ready for some action! May is the perfect month for sowing seeds and transplanting vegetables, both regular stocks and some heat-lovers. Here's a handy guide on what to sow and transplant this magical month.
Want to start a scrumptious vegetable garden? May is the moment! Cool-weather crops, like lettuce, kale, and snow peas, can be sown directly into the soil. There's still time to plant root crops such as parsnips and carrots, but the weather might be a bit chilly for nightshade crops, like tomatoes, yet. However, you can get a head start by growing seeds indoors and transferring them outside once the weather warms up.
Here's our list of recommended veggies to sow and transplant during May:
Vegetables to Transplant in May
Cool-season crops should be under the soil in May. Before moving your seedlings outside, remember to harden them off, a process that helps your plants adapt to outdoor temperatures and elements. Move them to a semi-shaded area for a few hours, then gradually increase their outdoor exposure over a week.
Here are some veggies you can transplant in May:
- Cabbage — One of the most versatile vegetables you can add to your meal. Remember to plant these now for the best results.
- Snow Peas — These cool-weather veggies won't produce pods in the summer, so they're best planted from starts. Set up a trellis or poles for them to grow on.
- Corn — Transplant your corn seedlings into the garden now and make sure to fertilize the soil as corn is a heavy feeder.
- Zucchini & Summer Squash — These prolific veggies can be transplanted outside in May. Set aside plenty of space for their growth.
- Cucumbers — Even though cucumbers like warmth, you can transplant them outdoors now. Pick varieties suitable for your garden space, whether bush or vining.
- Nightshades — Tomatoes, eggplants, and peppers can be planted in mid-late May, depending on your zone. Watch out for the last expected frost date, but don't worry — for most zones, that's sometime in May.
- Broccoli & Cauliflower — Select low bolt varieties for these floret-forming foods and provide them with protection from midday heat.
- Herbs — No meal tastes quite as good without herbs! Additional your herb starts in May after a hardening-off period.
Vegetables to Plant in May
If you live in a warm region, direct sow plants like tomatoes and peppers. If you're still dealing with some cold nights, though, it's time to start these crops indoors. Cool-weather lovers can be directly sown if they are fast growers. May is an excellent time to get root crops into the ground, and if you didn't start cucumbers indoors, it's not too late to sow them directly.
Here's what you can sow directly in May:
- Lettuce — Varieties like iceberg, romaine, and leaf lettuce can be planted directly in May.
- Beets—Easy to grow, beets prefer cooler temperatures and thrive in the northern garden.
- Carrots — Carrots should be planted in May, offering you a steady supply of these Vitamin C-rich veggies.
- Pumpkins & Winter Squash — Warm the soil to 55°F (13°C) before sowing these gourds. Be sure to provide plenty of space for their growth.
- Potatoes — Start your early and mid-season varieties like Yukon Gold and Purple Majesty in May. Sow seed potatoes two weeks before the last frost in loose, prepared soil.
- Radishes — These speedy growers can be planted during much of the growing season, although they'll get bitter when the temperatures rise.
- Melons — Sow your melons after the last frost date, which is usually in May. Check out varieties suitable for small garden spaces.
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It's recommended to sow lettuce, beets, carrots, and radishes directly into the soil in May, as they thrive in cooler temperatures. For melons and potatoes, it's advised to wait for the last frost, usually in May, before sowing them to ensure optimal growth. Furthermore, consider transplanting cool-season crops such as cabbage, snow peas, corn, zucchini, cucumbers, broccoli, cauliflower, and herbs this month.
