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Zone 6A — May

What to Plant in May in Zone 6A

May in Zone 6A: 3 crops to start indoors, 185 to plant or direct sow outside, and 107 entering harvest window. Last frost averages April 18. Reference city: Columbus, OH.
Updated May 14, 2026 · Frost data from NOAA 1991-2020 Climate Normals
3 Start Indoors
185 Plant Outside
107 Harvest

Start Indoors in May

Plant Type Start Indoors Transplant Outside Harvest Window
Chayote squash vegetable May 2 May 2 Aug 30 – Sep 29
Dwarf Long Pod Okra vegetable May 2 May 9 Jul 3 – Jul 8
Nopales pads vegetable May 2 May 2 Jul 1 – Aug 30

Plant Outside in May

Plant Type Action Target Date Harvest Window
Abe Lincoln Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 2 Jul 21 – Jul 31
Ace 55 Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 2 Jul 16 – Jul 21
Amish Paste Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 2 Jul 15 – Jul 26
Anaheim Peppers pepper Transplant May 2 Jul 18 – Jul 26
Ancho Grande Hot Peppers pepper Transplant May 2 Jul 16 – Jul 26
Anise hyssop leaves and flowers flower Transplant May 2 Jul 16 – Jul 31
Atkinson Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 2 Jul 11 – Jul 21
Bachelor's button edible flowers flower Transplant May 2 Jul 1 – Jul 21
Banana Peppers pepper Transplant May 9 Jul 8 – Jul 18
Beefsteak Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 2 Jul 21 – Jul 26
Better Boy Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 2 Jul 11 – Jul 16
Bhut Jolokia Ghost Pepper pepper Transplant May 2 Jul 31 – Aug 30
Big Jim Hatch Chile pepper Transplant May 2 Jul 11 – Jul 16
Big Rainbow Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 2 Jul 26 – Aug 5
Birds Eye Hot Peppers pepper Transplant May 2 Aug 10 – Aug 20
Bitter melons vegetable Transplant May 2 Jul 16 – Jul 31
Black Cherry Tomato tomato Transplant May 2 Jul 5 – Jul 16
Black Krim Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 2 Jul 16 – Jul 21
Black Oil Sunflower Microgreens microgreen Transplant May 2 May 9 – May 14
Bloody Butcher Corn vegetable Transplant May 2 Aug 10 – Aug 20
Bonny Best Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 2 Jul 16 – Jul 21
Bradley Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 2 Jul 16 – Jul 21
Brandywine Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 2 Jul 21 – Jul 31
Broccolini brassica Transplant May 2 Jun 21 – Jul 11
Brussels Sprouts brassica Transplant May 2 Jul 26 – Aug 20
Butternut Squash squash Transplant May 2 Aug 10 – Aug 30
California Wonder Peppers pepper Transplant May 9 Jul 20 – Jul 23
Calypso Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 2 Jul 16 – Jul 21
Cantaloupe melon Transplant May 2 Jul 21 – Jul 31
Caribbean Red Scotch Bonnet Pepper pepper Transplant May 2 Aug 5 – Aug 30
Caribe Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 2 Jul 16 – Jul 26
Carolina Reaper peppers pepper Transplant May 2 Jul 31 – Aug 30
Casper Eggplant vegetable Transplant May 2 Jul 11
Cayenne Peppers pepper Transplant May 2 Jul 26 – Aug 5
Celebrity Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 2 Jul 11 – Jul 13
Celeste Fig berry Plant Out May 2 May 2 – May 1
Chayote squash vegetable Transplant May 2 Aug 30 – Sep 29
Cherokee Purple Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 2 Jul 19 – Jul 26
Cherry Bomb peppers pepper Transplant May 2 Jul 16 – Jul 21
Chicago Hardy Fig berry Plant Out May 2 May 2 – May 1
Chocolate Bell Sweet Peppers pepper Transplant May 2 Jul 6 – Jul 21
Chocolate Cherry Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 2 Jul 16 – Jul 21
Chocolate Habanero Hot Peppers pepper Transplant May 2 Jul 26 – Aug 15
Corno di Toro Pepper pepper Transplant May 2 Jul 16 – Jul 21
Creole Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 2 Jul 21 – Jul 31
Crosne tubers root_vegetable Transplant May 2 Oct 29 – Dec 8
Cubanelle Peppers pepper Transplant May 9 Jul 10 – Jul 18
Culinary Turmeric root_vegetable Transplant May 9 Jan 4 – Mar 5
Cupid Grape Tomato tomato Transplant May 2 Jul 6 – Jul 11
Datil peppers pepper Transplant May 2 Jul 31 – Aug 20
Delica kabocha squash squash Transplant May 2 Aug 5 – Aug 20
Delicious Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 2 Jul 16 – Jul 21
Devils Tongue Yellow Hot Peppers pepper Transplant May 2 Jul 31 – Aug 20
Dwarf Long Pod Okra vegetable Transplant May 9 Jul 3 – Jul 8
Early Girl Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 2 Jun 23 – Jul 3
Egg Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 2 Jul 16 – Jul 21
Elephant garlic bulbs root_vegetable Transplant May 2 Oct 29 – Dec 28
Emerald Giant Sweet Peppers pepper Transplant May 2 Jul 16 – Jul 26
Emerald Green Velvet Okra vegetable Transplant May 2 Jun 26 – Jun 29
English Lavender Herb herb Transplant May 2 Jul 26
Firecracker Hot Peppers pepper Transplant May 2 Jul 21 – Aug 30
Floradade Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 2 Jul 11 – Jul 16
Florida Market Eggplant vegetable Transplant May 2 Jul 21 – Jul 31
Fresno Peppers pepper Transplant May 2 Jul 16 – Jul 21
Gardener's Delight Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 2 Jul 1 – Jul 16
Genovese Basil herb Transplant May 2 Jul 1 – Jul 11
Ginger root_vegetable Transplant May 9 Jan 4 – Mar 5
Golden Bantam Sweet Corn vegetable Transplant May 2 Jul 10 – Jul 16
Golden Marconi Sweet Peppers pepper Transplant May 2 Jul 6 – Jul 21
Golden Sunray Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 2 Jul 16 – Jul 21
Green Cabbage brassica Transplant May 2 Jul 1 – Aug 10
Green Globe Artichoke vegetable Transplant May 2 May 2 – May 1
Green Zebra Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 2 Jul 16 – Jul 19
Habanero Pepper pepper Transplant May 9 Aug 7 – Sep 6
Hairy vetch cover crop stands cover crop Transplant May 2 Jul 1 – Jul 31
Highbush Blueberries berry Transplant May 2 May 1
Holiday Marbles Hot Peppers pepper Transplant May 2 Jul 31 – Aug 20
Homestead Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 2 Jul 21 – Jul 26
Honeydew Melon melon Transplant May 2 Aug 10 – Aug 25
Hungarian Hot Wax Pepper pepper Transplant May 2 Jul 6 – Jul 16
Improved Meyer Lemon berry Plant Out May 2 May 1
Jacob's Cattle beans legume Transplant May 2 Jul 21 – Jul 31
Jalapeño Peppers pepper Transplant May 2 Jul 6 – Jul 16
Jerusalem artichoke tubers root_vegetable Transplant May 2 Aug 20 – Sep 29
Jicama Mexican Yam Bean legume Transplant May 2 Sep 19 – Oct 9
Jimmy Nardello Peppers pepper Transplant May 9 Jul 28 – Aug 7
Jubilee Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 2 Jul 16 – Jul 21
Juliet Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 2 Jun 30 – Jul 2
King Arthur Peppers pepper Transplant May 9 Jul 10 – Jul 16
Large Red Cherry Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 2 Jul 11 – Jul 21
Lemon Habanero Hot Peppers pepper Transplant May 2 Jul 26 – Aug 15
Lemongrass Herb herb Transplant May 2 Jul 21 – Aug 10
Long Green Louisiana Eggplant vegetable Transplant May 2 Jul 6 – Jul 11
Long Ping Tung Eggplant vegetable Transplant May 2 Jun 26 – Jul 1
Long Purple Italian Eggplant vegetable Transplant May 2 Jul 16
Luffa gourds vegetable Transplant May 2 Aug 10 – Aug 30
Lunchbox Mini Peppers pepper Transplant May 9 Jul 3 – Jul 8
Manitoba Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 2 Jun 26 – Jul 6
Marglobe Improved Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 2 Jul 11 – Jul 21
Marglobe Supreme Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 2 Jul 11 – Jul 21
Marion Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 2 Jul 16 – Jul 21
Marketmore 76 Cucumber cucumber Transplant May 2 Jun 29 – Jul 9
Midnight Snack Tomato tomato Transplant May 2 Jul 6 – Jul 11
Money Maker Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 2 Jul 16 – Jul 26
Mortgage Lifter Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 2 Jul 21 – Jul 26
Mountain Magic Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 2 Jul 13 – Jul 16
Mr. Stripey Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 2 Jul 26 – Aug 5
Mucho Nacho Jalapeño Peppers pepper Transplant May 2 Jul 9 – Jul 11
Nagami Kumquat berry Plant Out May 2 May 1
New Sunn Hemp Cover Crop cover crop Transplant May 2 Jul 1 – Jul 31
Nopales pads vegetable Transplant May 2 Jul 1 – Aug 30
NuMex Twilight Hot Peppers pepper Transplant May 2 Jul 31 – Aug 30
Orange Habanero Hot Peppers pepper Transplant May 2 Jul 26 – Aug 15
Orange Horizon Sweet Peppers pepper Transplant May 2 Jul 16 – Jul 21
Orange Oxheart Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 2 Jul 16 – Jul 26
Padron Peppers pepper Transplant May 9 Jul 8 – Jul 13
Pandora Striped Eggplant vegetable Transplant May 2 Jul 16 – Jul 21
Pasilla de Oaxaca Hot Peppers pepper Transplant May 2 Jul 16 – Jul 26
Patio Princess Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 2 Jul 6 – Jul 11
Pepperoncini Hot Peppers pepper Transplant May 2 Jul 6 – Jul 16
Phacelia cover crop and bee forage cover crop Transplant May 2 Jun 16 – Jul 1
Pimento Sweet Peppers pepper Transplant May 2 Jul 26 – Jul 31
Pineapple Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 2 Jul 26 – Aug 5
Pink Oxheart Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 2 Jul 21 – Jul 31
Pinkeye Purple Hull Cowpea legume Transplant May 2 Jun 26 – Jul 9
Poblano Peppers pepper Transplant May 2 Jul 6 – Jul 16
Ponderosa Red Beefsteak Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 2 Jul 16 – Jul 21
Potato onion clusters root_vegetable Transplant May 2 Jul 31 – Aug 30
Pretty Purple Hot Peppers pepper Transplant May 2 Jul 31 – Aug 30
Purple Basil herb Transplant May 2 Jul 11 – Jul 26
Purple Beauty Sweet Peppers pepper Transplant May 2 Jul 11 – Jul 16
Purple Tiger Hot Peppers pepper Transplant May 2 Jul 31 – Aug 10
Rambo Radish Microgreens microgreen Transplant May 2 May 8 – May 12
Red Burgundy Okra vegetable Transplant May 2 Jun 26 – Jul 1
Red Cabbage brassica Transplant May 2 Jul 11 – Aug 20
Red Caribbean Habanero Hot Peppers pepper Transplant May 2 Jul 26 – Aug 15
Red Cayenne Hot Peppers pepper Transplant May 2 Jul 16 – Jul 26
Red Cherry Hot Peppers pepper Transplant May 2 Jul 16 – Jul 26
Red Mushroom Hot Peppers pepper Transplant May 2 Jul 16 – Jul 26
Red Pear Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 2 Jul 6 – Jul 16
Red-Stem Malabar Spinach lettuce Transplant May 2 Jun 26 – Jul 11
Rio Grande Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 2 Jul 16 – Jul 21
Roma VF Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 2 Jul 16 – Jul 21
Romanesco brassica Transplant May 2 Jul 16 – Aug 10
Rosemary herb Plant Out May 2 Jul 21 – Aug 10
Round Mauve Eggplant vegetable Transplant May 2 Jul 21 – Jul 31
Rutgers Tomato tomato Transplant May 2 Jul 11 – Jul 21
San Marzano Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 2 Jul 19 – Jul 29
Santa Fe Grande Hot Peppers pepper Transplant May 2 Jul 16 – Jul 21
Serrano Peppers pepper Transplant May 2 Jul 11 – Jul 21
Shishito Peppers pepper Transplant May 9 Jul 8 – Jul 13
Signet marigold edible flowers flower Transplant May 2 Jul 1 – Jul 6
Snow Crown Cauliflower brassica Transplant May 2 Jun 21 – Jul 1
Speckled Pea Shoot Microgreens microgreen Transplant May 2 May 10 – May 16
Sugar Baby Watermelon melon Transplant May 2 Jul 16 – Jul 21
Summer Max Mix Cover Crop cover crop Transplant May 2 Jun 16 – Jul 1
Sun Gold Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 2 Jun 28 – Jul 6
Sunbright Yellow Sweet Peppers pepper Transplant May 2 Jul 16 – Jul 21
Sunray Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 2 Jul 16 – Jul 21
Supersweet 100 Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 2 Jul 1 – Jul 6
Sweet 100 Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 2 Jul 1 – Jul 6
Sweet Million Tomato tomato Transplant May 2 Jul 1 – Jul 6
Tabasco Hot Peppers pepper Transplant May 2 Jul 21 – Jul 31
Tepin Hot Peppers pepper Transplant May 2 Aug 30 – Nov 18
Thai Basil herb Transplant May 2 Jul 1 – Jul 6
Thai Hot Peppers pepper Transplant May 2 Jul 16 – Jul 26
Thessaloniki Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 2 Jul 16 – Jul 21
Tigerella Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 2 Jun 26 – Jul 11
Tiny Tim Tomato tomato Transplant May 2 Jun 16 – Jun 26
Trinidad Moruga Scorpion peppers pepper Transplant May 2 Jul 21 – Aug 30
Tumbling Tom Red Tomato tomato Transplant May 2 Jul 6 – Jul 11
Turkish Orange Eggplant vegetable Transplant May 2 Jul 26 – Jul 31
VR Moscow Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 2 Jul 21 – Jul 31
Waltham 29 Broccoli brassica Transplant May 2 Jul 16 – Jul 31
White Cherry Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 2 Jul 11 – Jul 16
White Cloud Sweet Peppers pepper Transplant May 2 Jul 11 – Jul 16
White clover living mulch cover crop Transplant May 2 Jul 11 – Jul 31
Winter rye cover crop stands cover crop Transplant May 2 Oct 29 – Dec 8
Yellow Beefsteak Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 2 Jul 16 – Jul 26
Yellow Jalapeno (Caloro) Hot Peppers pepper Transplant May 2 Jul 16 – Jul 26
Yellow Mushroom Hot Peppers pepper Transplant May 2 Jul 16 – Jul 26
Yellow Oxheart Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 2 Jul 26 – Jul 31
Yellow Pear Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 2 Jul 11 – Jul 21
Yellow Scotch Bonnet Hot Peppers pepper Transplant May 2 Jul 31 – Aug 30
Yolo Wonder Sweet Peppers pepper Transplant May 2 Jul 11 – Jul 21

Harvest in May

Plant Type Planted / Sown Harvest Window
Alaska Early Pea legume Mar 28 May 22 – May 27
Chervil herb Mar 28 May 2 – May 12
Dandelion herb Mar 28 May 7 – May 27
Delicatesse Blue Kohlrabi brassica Mar 28 May 22 – May 27
Delicatesse White Kohlrabi brassica Mar 28 May 22 – May 27
Little Marvel Pea legume Mar 28 May 27 – May 30
Oregon Sugar Pod Snow Pea legume Mar 28 May 27 – Jun 4
Progress No. 9 Shelling Pea legume Mar 28 May 25 – May 29
Sugar Ann Snap Pea legume Mar 28 May 19 – May 23
Vienna Purple Kohlrabi brassica Mar 28 May 22 – Jun 1
Wando Pea legume Mar 28 May 30 – Jun 4
America lettuce Apr 2 May 15 – May 27
Beauty Pink Radishes root_vegetable Apr 18 May 13 – May 18
Beauty Purple Radishes root_vegetable Apr 18 May 13 – May 18
Beauty White Radishes root_vegetable Apr 18 May 13 – May 18
Black Seeded Simpson lettuce Apr 2 May 17 – May 18
Blonde de Paris lettuce Apr 2 May 22 – Jun 1
Bloomsdale Longstanding Spinach lettuce Apr 2 May 17 – May 24
Blue Curled Scotch lettuce Apr 2 May 27 – Jun 1
Bok Choy lettuce Apr 2 May 17 – Jun 1
Bouquet Dill herb Apr 4 May 24 – Jun 8
Broadleaf Classic lettuce Apr 2 May 22 – Jun 1
Broadleaf Sorrel lettuce Apr 2 May 22 – Jun 1
Buckwheat cover crop Apr 18 May 18 – Jun 2
Burgundy Boston lettuce Apr 2 May 22 – May 27
Buttercrunch lettuce Apr 2 May 18 – May 27
Butterhead Lettuce lettuce Apr 2 May 22 – Jun 6
Canary Yellow lettuce Apr 2 May 22 – Jun 1
Champion Radishes root_vegetable Apr 18 May 13 – May 18
Cherry Belle Radish root_vegetable Apr 25 May 16 – May 25
Chinese Broccoli (Gai Lan) brassica Apr 2 May 2 – May 22
Curly Kale lettuce Apr 2 May 27 – Jun 6
Daikon Radishes root_vegetable Apr 4 May 19 – May 29
Dill herb Apr 18 May 28 – Jun 12
Dukat Dill herb Apr 4 May 14 – May 24
Dutch Lamb's Lettuce lettuce Apr 2 May 12 – May 22
Easter Egg Radishes root_vegetable Apr 18 May 16 – May 20
Endive / Escarole lettuce Apr 2 May 17 – Jun 6
Fairy Dwarf Mix Candytuft Flowers flower Apr 11 May 26 – Jun 10
Fenugreek herb Apr 4 May 9 – May 24
Florida Broadleaf lettuce Apr 2 May 12 – May 22
Fordhook Giant lettuce Apr 2 May 17 – May 27
French Breakfast Radish root_vegetable Apr 25 May 16 – May 23
French Lamb's Lettuce lettuce Apr 2 May 12 – May 22
Giant Red lettuce Apr 2 May 17
Green Ice lettuce Apr 2 May 17
Green Purslane vegetable Apr 25 May 30 – Jun 14
Green Wave lettuce Apr 2 May 17
Hailstone Radishes root_vegetable Apr 18 May 18
Hot Pink lettuce Apr 2 May 22 – Jun 1
Kagraner Sommer lettuce Apr 2 May 22 – May 30
Large Leaf Sorrel lettuce Apr 2 May 22 – Jun 1
Leaf Lettuce Mix lettuce Apr 2 May 17 – May 27
Little Gem lettuce Apr 2 May 22 – May 28
Lollo Bionda lettuce Apr 2 May 22 – Jun 1
Lollo Rossa lettuce Apr 2 May 25 – May 28
Magenta Sunset lettuce Apr 2 May 27 – Jun 1
Mammoth Dill herb Apr 4 May 19 – Jun 8
Marvel of Four Seasons lettuce Apr 2 May 17 – Jun 1
Matador Viking lettuce Apr 2 May 17 – May 20
Mizuna lettuce Apr 2 May 12 – May 22
Monstrueux de Viroflay lettuce Apr 2 May 17 – May 22
Mustard Greens lettuce Apr 2 May 7 – May 22
Noble Giant lettuce Apr 2 May 18 – May 22
Old Fashion lettuce Apr 2 May 17 – May 22
Orange lettuce Apr 2 May 17 – May 27
Peppermint herb Apr 18 May 18 – Jun 2
Premier lettuce Apr 2 May 22 – Jun 1
Purple Plum Radishes root_vegetable Apr 18 May 16 – May 18
Rainbow Mix lettuce Apr 2 May 22 – Jun 1
Rapeseed Cover Crop cover crop Apr 4 May 19 – Jun 13
Red Leaf Lettuce lettuce Apr 2 May 17 – May 27
Red Russian Kale lettuce Apr 2 May 22 – Jun 1
Red Vein Sorrel lettuce Apr 2 May 22 – May 27
Royal Carpet Alyssum Flowers flower Apr 11 May 26 – Jun 10
Ruby Red lettuce Apr 2 May 27 – Jun 1
Salad Bowl Green lettuce Apr 2 May 21 – May 22
Scarlet Flax Flowers flower Apr 4 May 29 – Jun 13
Shungiku (Edible Chrysanthemum) vegetable Apr 4 May 14 – May 29
Siberian Dwarf lettuce Apr 2 May 22 – May 27
Slow-Bolt (Slo-Bolt) Cilantro/Coriander herb Apr 18 May 16 – May 28
Sparkler Radishes root_vegetable Apr 18 May 13 – May 18
Spearmint herb Apr 18 May 18 – Jun 2
Summer Bibb lettuce Apr 2 May 27 – Jun 1
Sweet Alyssum flower Apr 18 May 28 – Jun 12
Swiss Chard lettuce Apr 2 May 22 – Jun 1
Tango lettuce Apr 2 May 4 – May 12
Tendergreen lettuce Apr 2 May 12 – May 22
Tom Thumb lettuce Apr 2 May 22 – Jun 11
Tri Color Amaranth (Joseph's Coat) vegetable Apr 25 May 25 – Jun 9
Upland Cress vegetable Apr 18 May 23 – Jun 7
Vates lettuce Apr 2 May 22 – May 27
Water spinach stems and leaves lettuce Apr 18 May 18 – Jun 2
White Boston lettuce Apr 2 May 12 – May 22
White Icicle Radishes root_vegetable Apr 18 May 18 – May 28
Winner Kohlrabi brassica Apr 2 May 17 – May 22
Winter Density lettuce Apr 2 May 26 – Jun 1
Winter Giant lettuce Apr 2 May 17 – May 22
Black Oil Sunflower Microgreens microgreen May 2 May 9 – May 14
Celeste Fig berry May 2 May 2 – May 1
Chicago Hardy Fig berry May 2 May 2 – May 1
Green Globe Artichoke vegetable May 2 May 2 – May 1
Highbush Blueberries berry May 2 May 1
Improved Meyer Lemon berry May 2 May 1
Nagami Kumquat berry May 2 May 1
Rambo Radish Microgreens microgreen May 2 May 8 – May 12
Speckled Pea Shoot Microgreens microgreen May 2 May 10 – May 16

Key Tasks for May in Zone 6A

  1. 1 Start 3 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 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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