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Zone 7A — May

What to Plant in May in Zone 7A

May in Zone 7A: 2 crops to start indoors, 219 to plant or direct sow outside, and 81 entering harvest window. Last frost averages April 17. Reference city: Raleigh, NC.
Updated May 13, 2026 · Frost data from NOAA 1991-2020 Climate Normals
2 Start Indoors
219 Plant Outside
81 Harvest
Frost window: Active

This is when frost can still happen in Zone 7A. The last spring frost typically lands on April 17, with a 10% chance of frost as late as May 4. Plan transplants with this window in mind.

See full Zone 7A frost outlook →

Start Indoors in May

Plant Type Start Indoors Transplant Outside Harvest Window
Chayote squash vegetable May 1 May 1 Aug 29 – Sep 28
Nopales pads vegetable May 1 May 1 Perennial — see plant page

Plant Outside in May

Plant Type Action Target Date Harvest Window
Abe Lincoln Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 1 Jul 20 – Jul 30
Ace 55 Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 1 Jul 15 – Jul 20
Aji Amarillo Peppers pepper Transplant May 1 Jul 30 – Aug 29
Aji Dulce Peppers pepper Transplant May 1 Jul 30 – Aug 19
Amish Paste Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 1 Jul 14 – Jul 25
Anaheim Peppers pepper Transplant May 1 Jul 17 – Jul 25
Ancho Grande Hot Peppers pepper Transplant May 1 Jul 15 – Jul 25
Anna Russian Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 1 Jul 10
Atkinson Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 1 Jul 10 – Jul 20
Aunt Ruby's German Green Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 1 Jul 20
Banana Peppers pepper Transplant May 8 Jul 7 – Jul 17
Beefsteak Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 1 Jul 20 – Jul 25
Better Boy Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 1 Jul 10 – Jul 15
Bhut Jolokia Ghost Pepper pepper Transplant May 1 Jul 30 – Aug 29
Big Beef Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 1 Jul 10
Big Bertha Peppers pepper Transplant May 8 Jul 17 – Jul 20
Big Boy Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 1 Jul 18
Big Jim Hatch Chile pepper Transplant May 1 Jul 10 – Jul 15
Big Rainbow Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 1 Jul 25 – Aug 4
Birds Eye Hot Peppers pepper Transplant May 1 Aug 9 – Aug 19
Bitter melons vegetable Transplant May 1 Jul 15 – Jul 30
Black Cherry Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 1 Jul 4 – Jul 15
Black From Tula Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 1 Jul 25
Black Krim Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 1 Jul 15 – Jul 20
Black Oil Sunflower Microgreens microgreen Transplant May 1 May 8 – May 13
Black Pearl Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 1 Jul 5
Blondkopfchen Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 1 Jul 15 – Jul 20
Bloody Butcher Corn vegetable Direct Sow May 1 Aug 9 – Aug 19
Bonny Best Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 1 Jul 15 – Jul 20
Bradley Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 1 Jul 15 – Jul 20
Brandywine Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 1 Jul 20 – Jul 30
Broccolini brassica Transplant May 1 Jun 20 – Jul 10
Brussels Sprouts brassica Transplant May 1 Jul 25 – Aug 19
Butternut Squash squash Transplant May 1 Aug 9 – Aug 29
California Wonder Peppers pepper Transplant May 8 Jul 19 – Jul 22
Calypso Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 1 Jul 15 – Jul 20
Cantaloupe melon Transplant May 1 Jul 20 – Jul 30
Caribbean Red Scotch Bonnet Pepper pepper Transplant May 1 Aug 4 – Aug 29
Caribe Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 1 Jul 15 – Jul 25
Carmello Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 1 Jul 10 – Jul 15
Carmen Peppers pepper Transplant May 8 Jul 7 – Jul 27
Carolina Reaper peppers pepper Transplant May 1 Jul 30 – Aug 29
Casper Eggplant vegetable Transplant May 1 Jul 10
Cayenne Peppers pepper Transplant May 1 Jul 25 – Aug 4
Celebrity Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 1 Jul 10 – Jul 12
Celeste Fig berry Plant Out May 1 Perennial — see plant page
Chadwick's Cherry Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 1 Jul 10 – Jul 30
Chayote squash vegetable Transplant May 1 Aug 29 – Sep 28
Cherokee Purple Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 1 Jul 18 – Jul 25
Cherry Bomb peppers pepper Transplant May 1 Jul 15 – Jul 20
Chicago Hardy Fig berry Plant Out May 1 Perennial — see plant page
Chinese 5-Color Peppers pepper Transplant May 1 Jul 15 – Jul 25
Chocolate Bell Sweet Peppers pepper Transplant May 1 Jul 5 – Jul 20
Chocolate Cherry Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 1 Jul 15 – Jul 20
Chocolate Habanero Hot Peppers pepper Transplant May 1 Jul 25 – Aug 14
Chocolate Stripes Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 1 Jul 20
Corno di Toro Pepper pepper Transplant May 1 Jul 15 – Jul 20
Costoluto Genovese Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 1 Jul 10 – Jul 20
Creole Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 1 Jul 20 – Jul 30
Crosne tubers root vegetable Transplant May 1 Perennial — see plant page
Cubanelle Peppers pepper Transplant May 8 Jul 9 – Jul 17
Culinary Turmeric root vegetable Transplant May 8 Jan 3, 2027 – Mar 4, 2027
Cupid Grape Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 1 Jul 5 – Jul 10
Dark Opal Basil herb Transplant May 1 Jun 30 – Jul 15
Datil peppers pepper Transplant May 1 Jul 30 – Aug 19
Delica kabocha squash squash Transplant May 1 Aug 4 – Aug 19
Delicious Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 1 Jul 15 – Jul 20
Devils Tongue Yellow Hot Peppers pepper Transplant May 1 Jul 30 – Aug 19
Dolce Fresca Basil herb Transplant May 1 Jun 30 – Jul 10
Dwarf Long Pod Okra vegetable Direct Sow May 8 Jul 2 – Jul 7
Early Girl Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 1 Jun 22 – Jul 2
Egg Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 1 Jul 15 – Jul 20
Emerald Giant Sweet Peppers pepper Transplant May 1 Jul 15 – Jul 25
Emerald Green Velvet Okra vegetable Direct Sow May 1 Jun 25 – Jun 28
English Lavender herb Transplant May 1 Perennial — see plant page
Firecracker Hot Peppers pepper Transplant May 1 Jul 20 – Aug 29
Fish Peppers pepper Transplant May 1 Jul 10 – Jul 20
Five Star Grape Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 1 Jul 2
Floradade Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 1 Jul 10 – Jul 15
Florida Market Eggplant vegetable Transplant May 1 Jul 20 – Jul 30
Fresno Peppers pepper Transplant May 1 Jul 15 – Jul 20
Gardener's Delight Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 1 Jun 30 – Jul 15
Genovese Basil herb Transplant May 1 Jun 30 – Jul 10
German Johnson Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 1 Jul 25
Ginger root vegetable Transplant May 8 Jan 3, 2027 – Mar 4, 2027
Glacier Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 1 Jun 25 – Jun 28
Gochugaru Korean Peppers pepper Transplant May 1 Jul 15
Golden Bantam Sweet Corn vegetable Direct Sow May 1 Jul 9 – Jul 15
Golden Marconi Sweet Peppers pepper Transplant May 1 Jul 5 – Jul 20
Golden Sunray Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 1 Jul 15 – Jul 20
Green Cabbage brassica Transplant May 1 Jun 30 – Aug 9
Green Envy Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 1 Jun 30 – Jul 10
Green Globe Artichoke vegetable Transplant May 1 Perennial — see plant page
Green Grape Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 1 Jul 5 – Jul 18
Green Zebra Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 1 Jul 15 – Jul 18
Gypsy Peppers pepper Transplant May 8 Jul 7 – Jul 12
Habanero Pepper pepper Transplant May 8 Aug 6 – Sep 5
Hatch Green Chile (NM 6-4) Peppers pepper Transplant May 1 Jul 10 – Jul 20
Highbush Blueberries berry Transplant May 1 Perennial — see plant page
Hillbilly Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 1 Jul 25
Holiday Marbles Hot Peppers pepper Transplant May 1 Jul 30 – Aug 19
Homestead Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 1 Jul 20 – Jul 25
Honey Bee Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 1 Jun 30
Honeydew Melon melon Transplant May 1 Aug 9 – Aug 24
Hungarian Hot Wax Pepper pepper Transplant May 1 Jul 5 – Jul 15
Improved Meyer Lemon berry Plant Out May 1 Perennial — see plant page
Indigo Rose Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 1 Jul 15 – Jul 30
Jalapeño Peppers pepper Transplant May 1 Jul 5 – Jul 15
Jaune Flamme Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 1 Jul 20
Jerusalem artichoke tubers root vegetable Transplant May 1 Perennial — see plant page
Jet Star Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 1 Jul 10 – Jul 12
Jimmy Nardello Peppers pepper Transplant May 8 Jul 27 – Aug 6
Jubilee Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 1 Jul 15 – Jul 20
Juliet Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 1 Jun 29 – Jul 1
Kapoor Tulsi (Holy Basil) herb Transplant May 1 Jun 30
King Arthur Peppers pepper Transplant May 8 Jul 9 – Jul 15
Large Red Cherry Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 1 Jul 10 – Jul 20
Lemon Habanero Hot Peppers pepper Transplant May 1 Jul 25 – Aug 14
Lemongrass herb Transplant May 1 Perennial — see plant page
Long Green Louisiana Eggplant vegetable Transplant May 1 Jul 5 – Jul 10
Long Ping Tung Eggplant vegetable Transplant May 1 Jun 25 – Jun 30
Long Purple Italian Eggplant vegetable Transplant May 1 Jul 15
Luffa gourds vegetable Transplant May 1 Aug 9 – Aug 29
Lunchbox Mini Peppers pepper Transplant May 8 Jul 2 – Jul 7
Manitoba Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 1 Jun 25 – Jul 5
Marglobe Improved Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 1 Jul 10 – Jul 20
Marglobe Supreme Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 1 Jul 10 – Jul 20
Mariachi Peppers pepper Transplant May 1 Jul 6 – Jul 15
Marion Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 1 Jul 15 – Jul 20
Marketmore 76 Cucumber cucumber Transplant May 1 Jun 28 – Jul 8
Midnight Snack Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 1 Jul 5 – Jul 10
Money Maker Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 1 Jul 15 – Jul 25
Mortgage Lifter Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 1 Jul 20 – Jul 25
Mountain Magic Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 1 Jul 12 – Jul 15
Mr. Stripey Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 1 Jul 25 – Aug 4
Mucho Nacho Jalapeño Peppers pepper Transplant May 1 Jul 8 – Jul 10
Nagami Kumquat berry Plant Out May 1 Perennial — see plant page
Napoletano Basil herb Transplant May 1 Jul 15
New Sunn Hemp Cover Crop cover crop Direct Sow May 1 Jun 30 – Jul 30
Nopales pads vegetable Transplant May 1 Perennial — see plant page
NuMex Twilight Hot Peppers pepper Transplant May 1 Jul 30 – Aug 29
Orange Habanero Hot Peppers pepper Transplant May 1 Jul 25 – Aug 14
Orange Horizon Sweet Peppers pepper Transplant May 1 Jul 15 – Jul 20
Orange Oxheart Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 1 Jul 15 – Jul 25
Oregon Spring Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 1 Jun 28 – Jul 10
Padron Peppers pepper Transplant May 8 Jul 7 – Jul 12
Pandora Striped Eggplant vegetable Transplant May 1 Jul 15 – Jul 20
Pasilla de Oaxaca Hot Peppers pepper Transplant May 1 Jul 15 – Jul 25
Patio Princess Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 1 Jul 5 – Jul 10
Pepperoncini Pepper pepper Transplant May 1 Jul 5 – Jul 15
Pesto Perpetuo Basil herb Transplant May 1 Jun 30 – Jul 30
Pimento Sweet Peppers pepper Transplant May 1 Jul 25 – Jul 30
Pineapple Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 1 Jul 25 – Aug 4
Pink Delicious Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 1 Jul 20 – Jul 24
Pink Oxheart Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 1 Jul 20 – Jul 30
Pistou Basil herb Transplant May 1 Jun 30
Poblano Peppers pepper Transplant May 1 Jul 5 – Jul 15
Ponderosa Red Beefsteak Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 1 Jul 15 – Jul 20
Potato onion clusters root vegetable Transplant May 1 Jul 30 – Aug 29
Pretty Purple Hot Peppers pepper Transplant May 1 Jul 30 – Aug 29
Purple Basil herb Transplant May 1 Jul 10 – Jul 25
Purple Beauty Sweet Peppers pepper Transplant May 1 Jul 10 – Jul 15
Purple Tiger Hot Peppers pepper Transplant May 1 Jul 30 – Aug 9
Rambo Radish Microgreens microgreen Transplant May 1 May 7 – May 11
Red Burgundy Okra vegetable Direct Sow May 1 Jun 25 – Jun 30
Red Cabbage brassica Transplant May 1 Jul 10 – Aug 19
Red Caribbean Habanero Hot Peppers pepper Transplant May 1 Jul 25 – Aug 14
Red Cayenne Hot Peppers pepper Transplant May 1 Jul 15 – Jul 25
Red Cherry Hot Peppers pepper Transplant May 1 Jul 15 – Jul 25
Red Mushroom Hot Peppers pepper Transplant May 1 Jul 15 – Jul 25
Red Pear Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 1 Jul 5 – Jul 15
Red Robin Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 1 Jun 25
Red Rubin Basil herb Transplant May 1 Jul 12
Rio Grande Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 1 Jul 15 – Jul 20
Roma VF Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 1 Jul 15 – Jul 20
Romanesco brassica Transplant May 1 Jul 15 – Aug 9
Rosemary herb Plant Out May 1 Perennial — see plant page
Round Mauve Eggplant vegetable Transplant May 1 Jul 20 – Jul 30
Rutgers Tomato tomato Transplant May 1 Jul 10 – Jul 20
Sakura Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 1 Jun 25 – Jun 30
San Marzano Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 1 Jul 18 – Jul 28
Santa Fe Grande Hot Peppers pepper Transplant May 1 Jul 15 – Jul 20
Serrano Peppers pepper Transplant May 1 Jul 10 – Jul 20
Shishito Peppers pepper Transplant May 8 Jul 7 – Jul 12
Snow Crown Cauliflower brassica Transplant May 1 Jun 20 – Jun 30
Speckled Pea Shoot Microgreens microgreen Transplant May 1 May 9 – May 15
Spicy Globe Basil herb Transplant May 1 Jul 10
Stupice Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 1 Jul 5
Sugar Baby Watermelon melon Transplant May 1 Jul 15 – Jul 20
Summer Max Mix Cover Crop cover crop Direct Sow May 1 Jun 15 – Jun 30
Sun Gold Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 1 Jun 27 – Jul 5
Sunbright Yellow Sweet Peppers pepper Transplant May 1 Jul 15 – Jul 20
SunChocola Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 1 Jun 30 – Jul 10
Sungella Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 1 Jun 30 – Jul 10
Sunray Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 1 Jul 15 – Jul 20
Sweet 100 Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 1 Jun 30 – Jul 5
Sweet Million Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 1 Jun 30 – Jul 5
Sweet Treats Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 1 Jul 5 – Jul 15
Tabasco Hot Peppers pepper Transplant May 1 Jul 20 – Jul 30
Tepin Hot Peppers pepper Transplant May 1 Aug 29 – Oct 17 (before frost)
Thai Basil herb Transplant May 1 Jun 30 – Jul 5
Thai Hot Peppers pepper Transplant May 1 Jul 15 – Jul 25
Thessaloniki Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 1 Jul 15 – Jul 20
Tigerella Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 1 Jun 25 – Jul 10
Tiny Tim Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 1 Jun 15 – Jun 25
Trinidad Moruga Scorpion peppers pepper Transplant May 1 Jul 20 – Aug 29
Tumbling Tom Red Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 1 Jul 5 – Jul 10
Turkish Orange Eggplant vegetable Transplant May 1 Jul 25 – Jul 30
VR Moscow Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 1 Jul 20 – Jul 30
Waltham 29 Broccoli brassica Transplant May 1 Jul 15 – Jul 30
White Cherry Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 1 Jul 10 – Jul 15
White Cloud Sweet Peppers pepper Transplant May 1 Jul 10 – Jul 15
Yellow Beefsteak Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 1 Jul 15 – Jul 25
Yellow Jalapeno (Caloro) Hot Peppers pepper Transplant May 1 Jul 15 – Jul 25
Yellow Mushroom Hot Peppers pepper Transplant May 1 Jul 15 – Jul 25
Yellow Oxheart Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 1 Jul 25 – Jul 30
Yellow Pear Tomatoes tomato Transplant May 1 Jul 10 – Jul 20
Yellow Scotch Bonnet Hot Peppers pepper Transplant May 1 Jul 30 – Aug 29
Yolo Wonder Sweet Peppers pepper Transplant May 1 Jul 10 – Jul 20

Harvest in May

Plant Type Planted / Sown Harvest Window
All Year Round Lettuce lettuce Mar 14 May 17 – May 26
Blonde de Paris Lettuce lettuce Mar 14 May 3 – May 13
Blue Curled Scotch Kale lettuce Mar 14 May 8 – May 13
Broadleaf Classic Endive lettuce Mar 14 May 3 – May 13
Burgundy Boston Lettuce lettuce Mar 14 May 3 – May 8
Butterhead Lettuce lettuce Mar 14 May 3 – May 18
California Bluebell flower Mar 18 May 12 – May 22
Canary Yellow Swiss Chard lettuce Mar 14 May 3 – May 13
Catalogna Chicory lettuce Mar 14 May 8
Chervil herb Mar 27 May 1 – May 11
Chinese Forget-Me-Not Flowers flower Mar 18 May 22 – Jun 11
Crisphead Lettuce lettuce Mar 14 May 21 – May 28
Curly Kale lettuce Mar 14 May 8 – May 18
Dark Green Romaine Lettuce lettuce Mar 14 May 13 – May 23
Delicatesse Blue Kohlrabi brassica Mar 14 May 8 – May 13
Delicatesse White Kohlrabi brassica Mar 14 May 8 – May 13
Dwarf Siberian Kale lettuce Mar 14 May 3 – May 8
Early Jersey Wakefield Cabbage brassica Mar 27 May 31 – Jun 10
Georgia Southern Collard Greens lettuce Mar 14 May 13 – Jun 2
Green Mountain Celtuce lettuce Mar 14 May 3
Hot Pink Swiss Chard lettuce Mar 14 May 3 – May 13
Iceberg Lettuce lettuce Mar 14 May 21 – May 28
Kagraner Sommer Lettuce lettuce Mar 14 May 3 – May 11
Lacinato Kale lettuce Mar 14 May 13 – May 18
Little Gem Lettuce lettuce Mar 14 May 3 – May 9
Lollo Bionda Lettuce lettuce Mar 14 May 3 – May 13
Lollo Rossa Lettuce lettuce Mar 14 May 6 – May 9
Magenta Sunset Swiss Chard lettuce Mar 14 May 8 – May 13
Morris Heading Collard lettuce Mar 14 May 28 – Jun 2
Mâche (Corn Salad) lettuce Mar 14 May 13 – Jun 6
Napa Cabbage brassica Mar 14 May 23 – Jun 12
New Zealand Spinach lettuce Mar 14 May 3 – May 13
Premier Kale lettuce Mar 14 May 3 – May 13
Radicchio lettuce Mar 14 May 13 – Jun 7
Rainbow Mix Swiss Chard lettuce Mar 14 May 3 – May 13
Rapini Broccoli Raab brassica Mar 14 May 18
Red Romaine Lettuce lettuce Mar 14 May 13 – May 23
Red Russian Kale lettuce Mar 14 May 3 – May 13
Red-Stem Malabar Spinach lettuce Mar 14 May 8 – May 23
Romaine Lettuce lettuce Mar 14 May 18 – May 28
Ruby Red Swiss Chard lettuce Mar 14 May 8 – May 13
Salad Bowl Green Lettuce lettuce Mar 14 May 2 – May 3
Summer Bibb Lettuce lettuce Mar 14 May 8 – May 13
Swiss Chard lettuce Mar 14 May 3 – May 13
Tom Thumb Lettuce lettuce Mar 14 May 3 – May 23
Très Fine Maraîchère Frisée lettuce Mar 14 May 13
Tuscany Black Kale lettuce Mar 14 May 13 – May 28
Vates Collard lettuce Mar 14 May 13 – May 28
Vates Kale lettuce Mar 14 May 3 – May 8
Vienna Purple Kohlrabi brassica Mar 14 May 8 – May 18
Vienna White Kohlrabi brassica Mar 14 May 18
Winter Density Lettuce lettuce Mar 14 May 7 – May 13
Beauty Pink Radishes root vegetable Apr 24 May 19 – May 24
Beauty Purple Radishes root vegetable Apr 24 May 19 – May 24
Beauty White Radishes root vegetable Apr 24 May 19 – May 24
Bouquet Dill herb Apr 3 May 23 – Jun 7
Buckwheat cover crop Apr 17 May 17 – Jun 1
Champion Radishes root vegetable Apr 24 May 19 – May 24
Cherry Belle Radish root vegetable Apr 24 May 15 – May 24
Dill herb Apr 17 May 27 – Jun 11
Dukat Dill herb Apr 3 May 13 – May 23
Easter Egg Radishes root vegetable Apr 24 May 22 – May 26
Fairy Dwarf Mix Candytuft Flowers flower Apr 3 May 18 – Jun 2
Fenugreek herb Apr 3 May 8 – May 23
French Breakfast Radish root vegetable Apr 24 May 15 – May 22
Green Purslane vegetable Apr 24 May 29 – Jun 13
Hailstone Radishes root vegetable Apr 24 May 24
Mammoth Dill herb Apr 3 May 18 – Jun 7
Purple Plum Radishes root vegetable Apr 24 May 22 – May 24
Rapeseed Cover Crop cover crop Apr 3 May 18 – Jun 12
Royal Carpet Alyssum Flowers flower Apr 3 May 18 – Jun 2
Scarlet Flax Flowers flower Apr 3 May 28 – Jun 12
Slow-Bolt (Slo-Bolt) Cilantro/Coriander herb Apr 17 May 15 – May 27
Sparkler Radishes root vegetable Apr 24 May 19 – May 24
Sweet Alyssum flower Apr 17 May 27 – Jun 11
Tri Color Amaranth (Joseph's Coat) vegetable Apr 24 May 24 – Jun 8
Vietnamese Coriander herb Apr 17 May 27 – Jun 16
White Icicle Radishes root vegetable Apr 24 May 24 – Jun 3
Black Oil Sunflower Microgreens microgreen May 1 May 8 – May 13
Rambo Radish Microgreens microgreen May 1 May 7 – May 11
Speckled Pea Shoot Microgreens microgreen May 1 May 9 – May 15

Key Tasks for May in Zone 7A

  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 7A planting calendar
April May in Zone 7A June

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