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Zone 6B — May

What to Plant in May in Zone 6B

May in Zone 6B: 2 crops to start indoors, 220 to plant or direct sow outside, and 93 entering harvest window. Last frost averages April 23. Reference city: Richmond, VA.
Updated May 13, 2026 · Frost data from NOAA 1991-2020 Climate Normals
2 Start Indoors
220 Plant Outside
93 Harvest
Frost window: Active

This is when frost can still happen in Zone 6B. The last spring frost typically lands on April 23, with a 10% chance of frost as late as May 10. Plan transplants with this window in mind.

See full Zone 6B frost outlook →

Start Indoors in May

Plant Type Start Indoors Transplant Outside Harvest Window
Chayote squash vegetable May 7 May 7 Sep 4 – Oct 4
Nopales pads vegetable May 7 May 7 Perennial — see plant page

Plant Outside in May

Plant Type Action Target Date Harvest Window
Abe Lincoln Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 7 Jul 26 – Aug 5
Ace 55 Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 7 Jul 21 – Jul 26
Aji Amarillo Peppers pepper Transplant May 7 Aug 5 – Sep 4
Aji Dulce Peppers pepper Transplant May 7 Aug 5 – Aug 25
Amish Paste Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 7 Jul 20 – Jul 31
Anaheim Peppers pepper Transplant May 7 Jul 23 – Jul 31
Ancho Grande Hot Peppers pepper Transplant May 7 Jul 21 – Jul 31
Anna Russian Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 7 Jul 16
Atkinson Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 7 Jul 16 – Jul 26
Aunt Ruby's German Green Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 7 Jul 26
Banana Peppers pepper Transplant May 14 Jul 13 – Jul 23
Beefsteak Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 7 Jul 26 – Jul 31
Better Boy Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 7 Jul 16 – Jul 21
Bhut Jolokia Ghost Pepper pepper Transplant May 7 Aug 5 – Sep 4
Big Beef Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 7 Jul 16
Big Bertha Peppers pepper Transplant May 14 Jul 23 – Jul 26
Big Boy Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 7 Jul 24
Big Jim Hatch Chile pepper Transplant May 7 Jul 16 – Jul 21
Big Rainbow Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 7 Jul 31 – Aug 10
Birds Eye Hot Peppers pepper Transplant May 7 Aug 15 – Aug 25
Bitter melons vegetable Transplant May 7 Jul 21 – Aug 5
Black Beauty Zucchini squash Transplant May 4 Jun 18 – Jun 28
Black Cherry Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 7 Jul 10 – Jul 21
Black From Tula Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 7 Jul 31
Black Krim Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 7 Jul 21 – Jul 26
Black Oil Sunflower Microgreens microgreen Transplant May 7 May 14 – May 19
Black Pearl Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 7 Jul 11
Blondkopfchen Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 7 Jul 21 – Jul 26
Bloody Butcher Corn vegetable Direct Sow May 7 Aug 15 – Aug 25
Bonny Best Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 7 Jul 21 – Jul 26
Bradley Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 7 Jul 21 – Jul 26
Brandywine Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 7 Jul 26 – Aug 5
Broccolini brassica Transplant May 7 Jun 26 – Jul 16
Brussels Sprouts brassica Transplant May 7 Jul 31 – Aug 25
Butternut Squash squash Transplant May 7 Aug 15 – Sep 4
California Wonder Peppers pepper Transplant May 14 Jul 25 – Jul 28
Calypso Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 7 Jul 21 – Jul 26
Cantaloupe melon Transplant May 7 Jul 26 – Aug 5
Caribbean Red Scotch Bonnet Pepper pepper Transplant May 7 Aug 10 – Sep 4
Caribe Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 7 Jul 21 – Jul 31
Carmello Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 7 Jul 16 – Jul 21
Carmen Peppers pepper Transplant May 14 Jul 13 – Aug 2
Carolina Reaper peppers pepper Transplant May 7 Aug 5 – Sep 4
Casper Eggplant vegetable Transplant May 7 Jul 16
Cayenne Peppers pepper Transplant May 7 Jul 31 – Aug 10
Celebrity Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 7 Jul 16 – Jul 18
Celeste Fig berry Plant Out May 7 Perennial — see plant page
Chadwick's Cherry Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 7 Jul 16 – Aug 5
Chayote squash vegetable Transplant May 7 Sep 4 – Oct 4
Cherokee Purple Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 7 Jul 24 – Jul 31
Cherry Bomb peppers pepper Transplant May 7 Jul 21 – Jul 26
Chicago Hardy Fig berry Plant Out May 7 Perennial — see plant page
Chinese 5-Color Peppers pepper Transplant May 7 Jul 21 – Jul 31
Chocolate Bell Sweet Peppers pepper Transplant May 7 Jul 11 – Jul 26
Chocolate Cherry Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 7 Jul 21 – Jul 26
Chocolate Habanero Hot Peppers pepper Transplant May 7 Jul 31 – Aug 20
Chocolate Stripes Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 7 Jul 26
Corno di Toro Pepper pepper Transplant May 7 Jul 21 – Jul 26
Costoluto Genovese Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 7 Jul 16 – Jul 26
Creole Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 7 Jul 26 – Aug 5
Crosne tubers root vegetable Transplant May 7 Perennial — see plant page
Cubanelle Peppers pepper Transplant May 14 Jul 15 – Jul 23
Culinary Turmeric root vegetable Transplant May 14 Jan 9, 2027 – Mar 10, 2027
Cupid Grape Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 7 Jul 11 – Jul 16
Dark Opal Basil herb Transplant May 7 Jul 6 – Jul 21
Datil peppers pepper Transplant May 7 Aug 5 – Aug 25
Delica kabocha squash squash Transplant May 7 Aug 10 – Aug 25
Delicious Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 7 Jul 21 – Jul 26
Devils Tongue Yellow Hot Peppers pepper Transplant May 7 Aug 5 – Aug 25
Dolce Fresca Basil herb Transplant May 7 Jul 6 – Jul 16
Dwarf Long Pod Okra vegetable Direct Sow May 14 Jul 8 – Jul 13
Early Girl Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 7 Jun 28 – Jul 8
Egg Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 7 Jul 21 – Jul 26
Emerald Giant Sweet Peppers pepper Transplant May 7 Jul 21 – Jul 31
Emerald Green Velvet Okra vegetable Direct Sow May 7 Jul 1 – Jul 4
English Lavender herb Transplant May 7 Perennial — see plant page
Firecracker Hot Peppers pepper Transplant May 7 Jul 26 – Sep 4
Fish Peppers pepper Transplant May 7 Jul 16 – Jul 26
Five Star Grape Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 7 Jul 8
Floradade Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 7 Jul 16 – Jul 21
Florida Market Eggplant vegetable Transplant May 7 Jul 26 – Aug 5
Fresno Peppers pepper Transplant May 7 Jul 21 – Jul 26
Gardener's Delight Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 7 Jul 6 – Jul 21
Genovese Basil herb Transplant May 7 Jul 6 – Jul 16
German Johnson Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 7 Jul 31
Ginger root vegetable Transplant May 14 Jan 9, 2027 – Mar 10, 2027
Glacier Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 7 Jul 1 – Jul 4
Gochugaru Korean Peppers pepper Transplant May 7 Jul 21
Golden Bantam Sweet Corn vegetable Direct Sow May 7 Jul 15 – Jul 21
Golden Marconi Sweet Peppers pepper Transplant May 7 Jul 11 – Jul 26
Golden Sunray Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 7 Jul 21 – Jul 26
Green Cabbage brassica Transplant May 7 Jul 6 – Aug 15
Green Envy Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 7 Jul 6 – Jul 16
Green Globe Artichoke vegetable Transplant May 7 Perennial — see plant page
Green Grape Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 7 Jul 11 – Jul 24
Green Zebra Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 7 Jul 21 – Jul 24
Gypsy Peppers pepper Transplant May 14 Jul 13 – Jul 18
Habanero Pepper pepper Transplant May 14 Aug 12 – Sep 11
Hatch Green Chile (NM 6-4) Peppers pepper Transplant May 7 Jul 16 – Jul 26
Highbush Blueberries berry Transplant May 7 Perennial — see plant page
Hillbilly Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 7 Jul 31
Holiday Marbles Hot Peppers pepper Transplant May 7 Aug 5 – Aug 25
Homestead Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 7 Jul 26 – Jul 31
Honey Bee Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 7 Jul 6
Honeydew Melon melon Transplant May 7 Aug 15 – Aug 30
Hungarian Hot Wax Pepper pepper Transplant May 7 Jul 11 – Jul 21
Improved Meyer Lemon berry Plant Out May 7 Perennial — see plant page
Indigo Rose Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 7 Jul 21 – Aug 5
Jalapeño Peppers pepper Transplant May 7 Jul 11 – Jul 21
Jaune Flamme Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 7 Jul 26
Jerusalem artichoke tubers root vegetable Transplant May 7 Perennial — see plant page
Jet Star Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 7 Jul 16 – Jul 18
Jimmy Nardello Peppers pepper Transplant May 14 Aug 2 – Aug 12
Jubilee Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 7 Jul 21 – Jul 26
Juliet Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 7 Jul 5 – Jul 7
Kapoor Tulsi (Holy Basil) herb Transplant May 7 Jul 6
King Arthur Peppers pepper Transplant May 14 Jul 15 – Jul 21
Large Red Cherry Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 7 Jul 16 – Jul 26
Lemon Habanero Hot Peppers pepper Transplant May 7 Jul 31 – Aug 20
Lemongrass herb Transplant May 7 Perennial — see plant page
Long Green Louisiana Eggplant vegetable Transplant May 7 Jul 11 – Jul 16
Long Ping Tung Eggplant vegetable Transplant May 7 Jul 1 – Jul 6
Long Purple Italian Eggplant vegetable Transplant May 7 Jul 21
Luffa gourds vegetable Transplant May 7 Aug 15 – Sep 4
Lunchbox Mini Peppers pepper Transplant May 14 Jul 8 – Jul 13
Manitoba Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 7 Jul 1 – Jul 11
Marglobe Improved Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 7 Jul 16 – Jul 26
Marglobe Supreme Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 7 Jul 16 – Jul 26
Mariachi Peppers pepper Transplant May 7 Jul 12 – Jul 21
Marion Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 7 Jul 21 – Jul 26
Marketmore 76 Cucumber cucumber Transplant May 7 Jul 4 – Jul 14
Midnight Snack Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 7 Jul 11 – Jul 16
Money Maker Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 7 Jul 21 – Jul 31
Mortgage Lifter Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 7 Jul 26 – Jul 31
Mountain Magic Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 7 Jul 18 – Jul 21
Mr. Stripey Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 7 Jul 31 – Aug 10
Mucho Nacho Jalapeño Peppers pepper Transplant May 7 Jul 14 – Jul 16
Nagami Kumquat berry Plant Out May 7 Perennial — see plant page
Napoletano Basil herb Transplant May 7 Jul 21
New Sunn Hemp Cover Crop cover crop Direct Sow May 7 Jul 6 – Aug 5
Nopales pads vegetable Transplant May 7 Perennial — see plant page
NuMex Twilight Hot Peppers pepper Transplant May 7 Aug 5 – Sep 4
Orange Habanero Hot Peppers pepper Transplant May 7 Jul 31 – Aug 20
Orange Horizon Sweet Peppers pepper Transplant May 7 Jul 21 – Jul 26
Orange Oxheart Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 7 Jul 21 – Jul 31
Oregon Spring Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 7 Jul 4 – Jul 16
Padron Peppers pepper Transplant May 14 Jul 13 – Jul 18
Pandora Striped Eggplant vegetable Transplant May 7 Jul 21 – Jul 26
Pasilla de Oaxaca Hot Peppers pepper Transplant May 7 Jul 21 – Jul 31
Patio Princess Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 7 Jul 11 – Jul 16
Pepperoncini Pepper pepper Transplant May 7 Jul 11 – Jul 21
Pesto Perpetuo Basil herb Transplant May 7 Jul 6 – Aug 5
Pimento Sweet Peppers pepper Transplant May 7 Jul 31 – Aug 5
Pineapple Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 7 Jul 31 – Aug 10
Pink Delicious Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 7 Jul 26 – Jul 30
Pink Oxheart Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 7 Jul 26 – Aug 5
Pistou Basil herb Transplant May 7 Jul 6
Poblano Peppers pepper Transplant May 7 Jul 11 – Jul 21
Ponderosa Red Beefsteak Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 7 Jul 21 – Jul 26
Potato onion clusters root vegetable Transplant May 7 Aug 5 – Sep 4
Pretty Purple Hot Peppers pepper Transplant May 7 Aug 5 – Sep 4
Purple Basil herb Transplant May 7 Jul 16 – Jul 31
Purple Beauty Sweet Peppers pepper Transplant May 7 Jul 16 – Jul 21
Purple Tiger Hot Peppers pepper Transplant May 7 Aug 5 – Aug 15
Rambo Radish Microgreens microgreen Transplant May 7 May 13 – May 17
Red Burgundy Okra vegetable Direct Sow May 7 Jul 1 – Jul 6
Red Cabbage brassica Transplant May 7 Jul 16 – Aug 25
Red Caribbean Habanero Hot Peppers pepper Transplant May 7 Jul 31 – Aug 20
Red Cayenne Hot Peppers pepper Transplant May 7 Jul 21 – Jul 31
Red Cherry Hot Peppers pepper Transplant May 7 Jul 21 – Jul 31
Red Mushroom Hot Peppers pepper Transplant May 7 Jul 21 – Jul 31
Red Pear Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 7 Jul 11 – Jul 21
Red Robin Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 7 Jul 1
Red Rubin Basil herb Transplant May 7 Jul 18
Rio Grande Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 7 Jul 21 – Jul 26
Roma VF Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 7 Jul 21 – Jul 26
Romanesco brassica Transplant May 7 Jul 21 – Aug 15
Rosemary herb Plant Out May 7 Perennial — see plant page
Round Mauve Eggplant vegetable Transplant May 7 Jul 26 – Aug 5
Rutgers Tomato tomato Transplant May 7 Jul 16 – Jul 26
Sakura Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 7 Jul 1 – Jul 6
San Marzano Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 7 Jul 24 – Aug 3
Santa Fe Grande Hot Peppers pepper Transplant May 7 Jul 21 – Jul 26
Serrano Peppers pepper Transplant May 7 Jul 16 – Jul 26
Shishito Peppers pepper Transplant May 14 Jul 13 – Jul 18
Snow Crown Cauliflower brassica Transplant May 7 Jun 26 – Jul 6
Speckled Pea Shoot Microgreens microgreen Transplant May 7 May 15 – May 21
Spicy Globe Basil herb Transplant May 7 Jul 16
Stupice Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 7 Jul 11
Sugar Baby Watermelon melon Transplant May 7 Jul 21 – Jul 26
Summer Max Mix Cover Crop cover crop Direct Sow May 7 Jun 21 – Jul 6
Sun Gold Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 7 Jul 3 – Jul 11
Sunbright Yellow Sweet Peppers pepper Transplant May 7 Jul 21 – Jul 26
SunChocola Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 7 Jul 6 – Jul 16
Sungella Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 7 Jul 6 – Jul 16
Sunray Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 7 Jul 21 – Jul 26
Sweet 100 Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 7 Jul 6 – Jul 11
Sweet Million Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 7 Jul 6 – Jul 11
Sweet Treats Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 7 Jul 11 – Jul 21
Tabasco Hot Peppers pepper Transplant May 7 Jul 26 – Aug 5
Tepin Hot Peppers pepper Transplant May 7 Sep 4 – Oct 13 (before frost)
Thai Basil herb Transplant May 7 Jul 6 – Jul 11
Thai Hot Peppers pepper Transplant May 7 Jul 21 – Jul 31
Thessaloniki Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 7 Jul 21 – Jul 26
Tigerella Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 7 Jul 1 – Jul 16
Tiny Tim Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 7 Jun 21 – Jul 1
Trinidad Moruga Scorpion peppers pepper Transplant May 7 Jul 26 – Sep 4
Tumbling Tom Red Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 7 Jul 11 – Jul 16
Turkish Orange Eggplant vegetable Transplant May 7 Jul 31 – Aug 5
VR Moscow Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 7 Jul 26 – Aug 5
Waltham 29 Broccoli brassica Transplant May 7 Jul 21 – Aug 5
White Cherry Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 7 Jul 16 – Jul 21
White Cloud Sweet Peppers pepper Transplant May 7 Jul 16 – Jul 21
Yellow Beefsteak Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 7 Jul 21 – Jul 31
Yellow Jalapeno (Caloro) Hot Peppers pepper Transplant May 7 Jul 21 – Jul 31
Yellow Mushroom Hot Peppers pepper Transplant May 7 Jul 21 – Jul 31
Yellow Oxheart Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 7 Jul 31 – Aug 5
Yellow Pear Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 7 Jul 16 – Jul 26
Yellow Scotch Bonnet Hot Peppers pepper Transplant May 7 Aug 5 – Sep 4
Yolo Wonder Sweet Peppers pepper Transplant May 7 Jul 16 – Jul 26

Harvest in May

Plant Type Planted / Sown Harvest Window
All Year Round Lettuce lettuce Mar 21 May 24 – Jun 2
America Spinach lettuce Mar 21 May 3 – May 15
Black Seeded Simpson Lettuce lettuce Mar 21 May 5 – May 6
Blonde de Paris Lettuce lettuce Mar 21 May 10 – May 20
Bloomsdale Longstanding Spinach lettuce Mar 21 May 5 – May 12
Blue Curled Scotch Kale lettuce Mar 21 May 15 – May 20
Bok Choy lettuce Mar 21 May 5 – May 20
Broadleaf Classic Endive lettuce Mar 21 May 10 – May 20
Burgundy Boston Lettuce lettuce Mar 21 May 10 – May 15
Buttercrunch Lettuce lettuce Mar 21 May 6 – May 15
Butterhead Lettuce lettuce Mar 21 May 10 – May 25
Canary Yellow Swiss Chard lettuce Mar 21 May 10 – May 20
Catalogna Chicory lettuce Mar 21 May 15
Crisphead Lettuce lettuce Mar 21 May 28 – Jun 4
Curly Kale lettuce Mar 21 May 15 – May 25
Dark Green Romaine Lettuce lettuce Mar 21 May 20 – May 30
Delicatesse Blue Kohlrabi brassica Mar 21 May 15 – May 20
Delicatesse White Kohlrabi brassica Mar 21 May 15 – May 20
Dwarf Siberian Kale lettuce Mar 21 May 10 – May 15
Endive / Escarole lettuce Mar 21 May 5 – May 25
Fordhook Giant Swiss Chard lettuce Mar 21 May 5 – May 15
Georgia Southern Collard Greens lettuce Mar 21 May 20 – Jun 9
Giant Red Mustard lettuce Mar 21 May 5
Green Ice Lettuce lettuce Mar 21 May 5
Green Mountain Celtuce lettuce Mar 21 May 10
Green Wave Mustard lettuce Mar 21 May 5
Hot Pink Swiss Chard lettuce Mar 21 May 10 – May 20
Iceberg Lettuce lettuce Mar 21 May 28 – Jun 4
Kagraner Sommer Lettuce lettuce Mar 21 May 10 – May 18
Lacinato Kale lettuce Mar 21 May 20 – May 25
Leaf Lettuce Mix lettuce Mar 21 May 5 – May 15
Little Gem Lettuce lettuce Mar 21 May 10 – May 16
Lollo Bionda Lettuce lettuce Mar 21 May 10 – May 20
Lollo Rossa Lettuce lettuce Mar 21 May 13 – May 16
Magenta Sunset Swiss Chard lettuce Mar 21 May 15 – May 20
Marvel of Four Seasons Lettuce lettuce Mar 21 May 5 – May 20
Matador Viking Spinach lettuce Mar 21 May 5 – May 8
Monstrueux de Viroflay Spinach lettuce Mar 21 May 5 – May 10
Mâche (Corn Salad) lettuce Mar 21 May 20 – Jun 13
Napa Cabbage brassica Mar 21 May 30 – Jun 19
New Zealand Spinach lettuce Mar 21 May 10 – May 20
Noble Giant Spinach lettuce Mar 21 May 6 – May 10
Old Fashion Mustard lettuce Mar 21 May 5 – May 10
Orange Swiss Chard lettuce Mar 21 May 5 – May 15
Premier Kale lettuce Mar 21 May 10 – May 20
Radicchio lettuce Mar 21 May 20 – Jun 14
Rainbow Mix Swiss Chard lettuce Mar 21 May 10 – May 20
Rapini Broccoli Raab brassica Mar 21 May 25
Red Leaf Lettuce lettuce Mar 21 May 5 – May 15
Red Orach lettuce Mar 21 May 5
Red Romaine Lettuce lettuce Mar 21 May 20 – May 30
Red Russian Kale lettuce Mar 21 May 10 – May 20
Red-Stem Malabar Spinach lettuce Mar 21 May 15 – May 30
Romaine Lettuce lettuce Mar 21 May 25 – Jun 4
Ruby Red Swiss Chard lettuce Mar 21 May 15 – May 20
Salad Bowl Green Lettuce lettuce Mar 21 May 9 – May 10
Summer Bibb Lettuce lettuce Mar 21 May 15 – May 20
Swiss Chard lettuce Mar 21 May 10 – May 20
Tom Thumb Lettuce lettuce Mar 21 May 10 – May 30
Très Fine Maraîchère Frisée lettuce Mar 21 May 20
Tuscany Black Kale lettuce Mar 21 May 20 – Jun 4
Vates Collard lettuce Mar 21 May 20 – Jun 4
Vates Kale lettuce Mar 21 May 10 – May 15
Vienna Purple Kohlrabi brassica Mar 21 May 15 – May 25
Vienna White Kohlrabi brassica Mar 21 May 25
Winner Kohlrabi brassica Mar 21 May 5 – May 10
Winter Density Lettuce lettuce Mar 21 May 14 – May 20
Winter Giant Spinach lettuce Mar 21 May 5 – May 10
Beauty Pink Radishes root vegetable Apr 30 May 25 – May 30
Beauty Purple Radishes root vegetable Apr 30 May 25 – May 30
Beauty White Radishes root vegetable Apr 30 May 25 – May 30
Bouquet Dill herb Apr 9 May 29 – Jun 13
Buckwheat cover crop Apr 23 May 23 – Jun 7
Champion Radishes root vegetable Apr 30 May 25 – May 30
Cherry Belle Radish root vegetable Apr 30 May 21 – May 30
Chervil herb Apr 2 May 7 – May 17
Dukat Dill herb Apr 9 May 19 – May 29
Easter Egg Radishes root vegetable Apr 30 May 28 – Jun 1
Fairy Dwarf Mix Candytuft Flowers flower Apr 16 May 31 – Jun 15
Fenugreek herb Apr 9 May 14 – May 29
French Breakfast Radish root vegetable Apr 30 May 21 – May 28
Hailstone Radishes root vegetable Apr 30 May 30
Mammoth Dill herb Apr 9 May 24 – Jun 13
Purple Plum Radishes root vegetable Apr 30 May 28 – May 30
Rapeseed Cover Crop cover crop Apr 9 May 24 – Jun 18
Royal Carpet Alyssum Flowers flower Apr 16 May 31 – Jun 15
Slow-Bolt (Slo-Bolt) Cilantro/Coriander herb Apr 23 May 21 – Jun 2
Sparkler Radishes root vegetable Apr 30 May 25 – May 30
Tri Color Amaranth (Joseph's Coat) vegetable Apr 30 May 30 – Jun 14
White Icicle Radishes root vegetable Apr 30 May 30 – Jun 9
Black Oil Sunflower Microgreens microgreen May 7 May 14 – May 19
Rambo Radish Microgreens microgreen May 7 May 13 – May 17
Speckled Pea Shoot Microgreens microgreen May 7 May 15 – May 21

Key Tasks for May in Zone 6B

  1. 1 Start 2 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.
Back to full Zone 6B planting calendar
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