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Zone 5A — May

What to Plant in May in Zone 5A

May in Zone 5A: 28 crops to start indoors, 144 to plant or direct sow outside, and 23 entering harvest window. Last frost averages April 30. Reference city: Des Moines, IA.
28 Start Indoors
144 Plant Outside
23 Harvest

Start Indoors in May

Plant Type Start Indoors Transplant Outside Harvest Window
Anise hyssop leaves and flowers anise hyssop May 7 May 14 Jul 28 – Aug 12
Bachelor's button edible flowers bachelors button May 7 May 14 Jul 13 – Aug 2
Beefsteak Tomatoes tomato May 7 May 14 Aug 2 – Aug 7
Black Krim Tomatoes tomato May 7 May 14 Jul 28 – Aug 2
Black Oil Sunflower Microgreens microgreen May 7 May 14 May 21 – May 26
Brandywine Tomatoes tomato May 7 May 14 Aug 2 – Aug 12
Celebrity Tomatoes tomato May 7 May 14 Jul 23 – Jul 25
Chayote squash chayote May 14 May 14 Sep 11 – Oct 11
Cherokee Purple Tomatoes tomato May 7 May 14 Jul 31 – Aug 7
Crosne tubers crosne May 7 May 14 Nov 10 – Dec 20
Early Girl Tomatoes tomato May 7 May 14 Jul 5 – Jul 15
Elephant garlic bulbs elephant garlic May 7 May 14 Nov 10 – Jan 9
Green Zebra Tomatoes tomato May 7 May 14 Jul 28 – Jul 31
Hairy vetch cover crop stands hairy vetch May 7 May 14 Jul 13 – Aug 12
Jacob's Cattle beans dry bean May 7 May 14 Aug 2 – Aug 12
Jerusalem artichoke tubers sunchoke May 7 May 14 Sep 1 – Oct 11
Mortgage Lifter Tomatoes tomato May 7 May 14 Aug 2 – Aug 7
Mountain Magic Tomatoes tomato May 7 May 14 Jul 25 – Jul 28
Nopales pads nopales May 14 May 14 Jul 13 – Sep 11
Phacelia cover crop and bee forage phacelia May 7 May 14 Jun 28 – Jul 13
Potato onion clusters potato onion May 7 May 14 Aug 12 – Sep 11
Rambo Radish Microgreens microgreen May 7 May 14 May 20 – May 24
Roma VF Tomatoes tomato May 7 May 14 Jul 28 – Aug 2
San Marzano Tomatoes tomato May 7 May 14 Jul 31 – Aug 10
Signet marigold edible flowers signet marigold May 7 May 14 Jul 13 – Jul 18
Speckled Pea Shoot Microgreens microgreen May 7 May 14 May 22 – May 28
White clover living mulch white clover May 7 May 14 Jul 23 – Aug 12
Winter rye cover crop stands winter rye May 7 May 14 Nov 10 – Dec 20

Plant Outside in May

Plant Type Action Target Date Harvest Window
Alexandria Alpine Strawberry fruit Transplant May 7 Aug 15 – Sep 4
Amish Paste Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 14 Jul 27 – Aug 7
Anaheim Peppers pepper Transplant May 14 Jul 30 – Aug 7
Anise hyssop leaves and flowers anise hyssop Transplant May 14 Jul 28 – Aug 12
Armenian Cucumber cucumber Transplant May 7 Jul 6 – Jul 16
Baby Cakes Blackberry fruit Plant Out May 7 May 7 – Jul 6
Bachelor's button edible flowers bachelors button Transplant May 14 Jul 13 – Aug 2
Banana Peppers pepper Transplant May 21 Jul 20 – Jul 30
Bay Laurel bay laurel Plant Out May 7 Jul 6 – May 7
Beauregard Sweet Potato root Direct Sow May 7 Aug 5 – Aug 20
Beefsteak Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 14 Aug 2 – Aug 7
Better Boy Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 14 Jul 23 – Jul 28
Bhut Jolokia Ghost Pepper pepper Transplant May 14 Aug 12 – Sep 11
Big Jim Hatch Chile pepper Transplant May 14 Jul 23 – Jul 28
Bitter melons bitter melon Transplant May 14 Jul 28 – Aug 12
Black Beauty Zucchini vegetable Transplant May 11 Jun 25 – Jul 5
Black Cherry Tomato tomato Transplant May 14 Jul 17 – Jul 28
Black Krim Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 14 Jul 28 – Aug 2
Black Oil Sunflower Microgreens microgreen Transplant May 14 May 21 – May 26
Brandywine Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 14 Aug 2 – Aug 12
Broccolini vegetable Transplant May 14 Jul 3 – Jul 23
Brussels Sprouts vegetable Transplant May 14 Aug 7 – Sep 1
Butternut Squash vegetable Transplant May 14 Aug 22 – Sep 11
California Wonder Peppers pepper Transplant May 21 Aug 1 – Aug 4
Cantaloupe vegetable Transplant May 14 Aug 2 – Aug 12
Caribbean Red Scotch Bonnet Pepper pepper Transplant May 14 Aug 17 – Sep 11
Carolina Reaper peppers hot pepper Transplant May 14 Aug 12 – Sep 11
Cayenne Peppers pepper Transplant May 14 Aug 7 – Aug 17
Celebrity Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 14 Jul 23 – Jul 25
Celeste Fig fruit Plant Out May 14 May 14 – May 13
Chayote squash chayote Transplant May 14 Sep 11 – Oct 11
Cherokee Purple Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 14 Jul 31 – Aug 7
Cherry Belle Radish root Direct Sow May 7 May 28 – Jun 6
Cherry Bomb peppers hot pepper Transplant May 14 Jul 28 – Aug 2
Chicago Hardy Fig fruit Plant Out May 14 May 14 – May 13
Chioggia Beet root Direct Sow May 7 Jul 1 – Jul 11
Corno di Toro Pepper pepper Transplant May 14 Jul 28 – Aug 2
Cosmic Purple Carrot root Direct Sow May 7 Jul 4 – Jul 21
Crosne tubers crosne Transplant May 14 Nov 10 – Dec 20
Cubanelle Peppers pepper Transplant May 21 Jul 22 – Jul 30
Culinary Turmeric turmeric Transplant May 21 Jan 16 – Mar 17
Cupid Grape Tomato tomato Transplant May 14 Jul 18 – Jul 23
Danvers Carrot root Direct Sow May 7 Jul 16 – Jul 26
Datil peppers hot pepper Transplant May 14 Aug 12 – Sep 1
Delica kabocha squash kabocha Transplant May 14 Aug 17 – Sep 1
Detroit Dark Red Beet root Direct Sow May 7 Jul 1 – Jul 6
Early Girl Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 14 Jul 5 – Jul 15
Eight Ball Zucchini zucchini Transplant May 7 Jun 21 – Jul 1
Elephant garlic bulbs elephant garlic Transplant May 14 Nov 10 – Jan 9
English Thyme herb Plant Out May 7 Jul 16 – Aug 5
Epazote epazote Transplant May 7 Jul 1 – Jul 11
French Breakfast Radish root Direct Sow May 7 May 28 – Jun 4
Fresno Peppers pepper Transplant May 14 Jul 28 – Aug 2
Genovese Basil herb Transplant May 14 Jul 13 – Jul 23
Ginger ginger Transplant May 21 Jan 16 – Mar 17
Gold Rush Zucchini zucchini Transplant May 7 Jun 21 – Jun 26
Golden Beet root Direct Sow May 7 Jul 1 – Jul 11
Greek Oregano herb Plant Out May 7 Jul 6 – Jul 26
Green Cabbage vegetable Transplant May 14 Jul 13 – Aug 22
Green Fingers Persian Cucumber cucumber Transplant May 7 Jul 1 – Jul 6
Green shiso leaves shiso Transplant May 7 Jul 6 – Jul 16
Green Zebra Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 14 Jul 28 – Jul 31
Habanero Pepper pepper Transplant May 21 Aug 19 – Sep 18
Hairy vetch cover crop stands hairy vetch Transplant May 14 Jul 13 – Aug 12
Heirloom Red Kuri Squash winter squash Transplant May 7 Aug 5 – Aug 15
Heritage Raspberry fruit Plant Out May 7 May 7 – Jul 6
Honeydew Melon vegetable Transplant May 14 Aug 22 – Sep 6
Hungarian Hot Wax Pepper pepper Transplant May 14 Jul 18 – Jul 28
Improved Meyer Lemon fruit Plant Out May 14 May 13
Isis Candy cherry tomatoes tomato Transplant May 7 Jul 26 – Aug 5
Jacob's Cattle beans dry bean Transplant May 14 Aug 2 – Aug 12
Jalapeño Peppers pepper Transplant May 14 Jul 18 – Jul 28
Jerusalem artichoke tubers sunchoke Transplant May 14 Sep 1 – Oct 11
Jimmy Nardello Peppers pepper Transplant May 21 Aug 9 – Aug 19
Juliet Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 14 Jul 12 – Jul 14
Kellogg's Breakfast tomatoes tomato Transplant May 7 Jul 21 – Jul 31
King Arthur Peppers pepper Transplant May 21 Jul 22 – Jul 28
Lemon Verbena lemon verbena Plant Out May 7 Aug 5 – Sep 4
Luffa gourds luffa Transplant May 14 Aug 22 – Sep 11
Lunchbox Mini Peppers pepper Transplant May 21 Jul 15 – Jul 20
Marketmore 76 Cucumber vegetable Transplant May 14 Jul 11 – Jul 21
Matt's Wild Cherry tomatoes tomato Transplant May 7 Jul 1 – Jul 26
Midnight Snack Tomato tomato Transplant May 14 Jul 18 – Jul 23
Mortgage Lifter Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 14 Aug 2 – Aug 7
Mountain Magic Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 14 Jul 25 – Jul 28
Mrs. Burns Lemon Basil basil Transplant May 7 Jul 6 – Jul 16
Mucho Nacho Jalapeño Peppers pepper Transplant May 14 Jul 21 – Jul 23
Nagami Kumquat fruit Plant Out May 14 May 13
Nantes Carrot root Direct Sow May 7 Jul 8 – Jul 21
New Zealand Spinach new zealand spinach Transplant May 7 Jun 26 – Jul 6
Nopales pads nopales Transplant May 14 Jul 13 – Sep 11
Orion Florence Fennel fennel Transplant May 7 Jul 26 – Aug 5
Ozark Beauty Strawberry fruit Plant Out May 7 Jul 6 – Aug 5
Padron Peppers pepper Transplant May 21 Jul 20 – Jul 25
Parsnip root Direct Sow May 7 Aug 15 – Sep 14
Patio Princess Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 14 Jul 18 – Jul 23
Patriot Blueberry fruit Plant Out May 7 May 6
Paul Robeson tomatoes tomato Transplant May 7 Jul 16 – Jul 31
Phacelia cover crop and bee forage phacelia Transplant May 14 Jun 28 – Jul 13
Pinkeye Purple Hull Pea cowpea Transplant May 14 Jul 8 – Jul 21
Poblano Peppers pepper Transplant May 14 Jul 18 – Jul 28
Potato onion clusters potato onion Transplant May 14 Aug 12 – Sep 11
Purple Basil herb Transplant May 14 Jul 23 – Aug 7
Rambo Radish Microgreens microgreen Transplant May 14 May 20 – May 24
Raspberry Shortcake Raspberry fruit Plant Out May 7 May 7 – Jul 6
Red Cabbage vegetable Transplant May 14 Jul 23 – Sep 1
Red Pontiac Potato root Direct Sow May 7 Aug 5 – Aug 25
Red-Stem Malabar Spinach malabar spinach Transplant May 14 Jul 8 – Jul 23
Roma VF Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 14 Jul 28 – Aug 2
Romanesco vegetable Transplant May 14 Jul 28 – Aug 22
Roselle calyces and leaves roselle Transplant May 7 Oct 4 – Nov 3
Rosemary herb Plant Out May 14 Aug 2 – Aug 22
Rutgers Tomato tomato Transplant May 14 Jul 23 – Aug 2
San Marzano Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 14 Jul 31 – Aug 10
Seascape Strawberry fruit Plant Out May 7 Jul 21 – Aug 5
Serrano Peppers pepper Transplant May 14 Jul 23 – Aug 2
Shishito Peppers pepper Transplant May 21 Jul 20 – Jul 25
Signet marigold edible flowers signet marigold Transplant May 14 Jul 13 – Jul 18
Snow Crown Cauliflower vegetable Transplant May 14 Jul 3 – Jul 13
Softneck Garlic root Direct Sow May 7 Jan 2 – Feb 1
Spacemaster Bush Cucumber cucumber Transplant May 7 Jul 6 – Jul 11
Speckled Pea Shoot Microgreens microgreen Transplant May 14 May 22 – May 28
Straight Eight Cucumber cucumber Transplant May 7 Jul 6 – Jul 11
Sugar Baby Watermelon vegetable Transplant May 14 Jul 28 – Aug 2
Sun Gold Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 14 Jul 10 – Jul 18
Sunshine Blue Blueberry fruit Plant Out May 7 May 6
Sunshine Kabocha Squash winter squash Transplant May 7 Aug 10 – Aug 15
Supersweet 100 Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 14 Jul 13 – Jul 18
Sweet 100 Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 14 Jul 13 – Jul 18
Sweet Marjoram marjoram Transplant May 7 Jul 21 – Aug 5
Sweet Million Tomato tomato Transplant May 14 Jul 13 – Jul 18
Thai Basil herb Transplant May 14 Jul 13 – Jul 18
Thai Hot Peppers pepper Transplant May 14 Jul 28 – Aug 7
Tiny Tim Tomato tomato Transplant May 14 Jun 28 – Jul 8
Top Hat Blueberry fruit Plant Out May 7 May 6
Trinidad Moruga Scorpion peppers hot pepper Transplant May 14 Aug 2 – Sep 11
Tumbling Tom Red Tomato tomato Transplant May 14 Jul 18 – Jul 23
Turnip root Direct Sow May 7 Jun 26 – Jul 6
Waltham 29 Broccoli vegetable Transplant May 14 Jul 28 – Aug 12
Watermelon Radish root Direct Sow May 7 Jun 26 – Jul 11
White clover living mulch white clover Transplant May 14 Jul 23 – Aug 12
Winter rye cover crop stands winter rye Transplant May 14 Nov 10 – Dec 20
Yellow Pear Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 14 Jul 23 – Jul 31
Yukon Gold Potato root Direct Sow May 7 Jul 26 – Aug 15

Harvest in May

Plant Type Planted / Sown Harvest Window
Astro Arugula vegetable Apr 30 May 21 – Jun 9
Buckwheat cover crop Apr 30 May 30 – Jun 14
Chinese Broccoli (Gai Lan) vegetable Apr 30 May 30 – Jun 19
Daikon Radishes daikon radish Apr 16 May 31 – Jun 10
Mesclun Mix vegetable Apr 30 May 21 – May 30
Peppermint herb Apr 30 May 30 – Jun 14
Spearmint herb Apr 30 May 30 – Jun 14
Water spinach stems and leaves water spinach Apr 30 May 30 – Jun 14
Baby Cakes Blackberry fruit May 7 May 7 – Jul 6
Black Oil Sunflower Microgreens microgreen May 14 May 21 – May 26
Celeste Fig fruit May 14 May 14 – May 13
Cherry Belle Radish root May 7 May 28 – Jun 6
Chicago Hardy Fig fruit May 14 May 14 – May 13
French Breakfast Radish root May 7 May 28 – Jun 4
Heritage Raspberry fruit May 7 May 7 – Jul 6
Improved Meyer Lemon fruit May 14 May 13
Nagami Kumquat fruit May 14 May 13
Patriot Blueberry fruit May 7 May 6
Rambo Radish Microgreens microgreen May 14 May 20 – May 24
Raspberry Shortcake Raspberry fruit May 7 May 7 – Jul 6
Speckled Pea Shoot Microgreens microgreen May 14 May 22 – May 28
Sunshine Blue Blueberry fruit May 7 May 6
Top Hat Blueberry fruit May 7 May 6

Key Tasks for May in Zone 5A

  1. 1 Start 28 varieties indoors this month under grow lights or in a sunny south-facing window. Use a seed-starting mix and bottom heat (70–75°F) for best germination rates.
  2. 2 Harden off transplants before moving outdoors — set them outside in a sheltered spot for increasing hours over 7–10 days before planting in the ground.
  3. 3 Direct sow seeds at the recommended depth and spacing. Keep the seedbed consistently moist until germination is complete.
  4. 4 Check soil moisture before watering — stick a finger 2 inches into the soil. Water only when the soil is dry at that depth. Consistent moisture is more important than frequency.
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