Skip to main content
Zone 8A — May

What to Plant in May in Zone 8A

May in Zone 8A: 0 crops to start indoors, 0 to plant or direct sow outside, and 218 entering harvest window. Last frost averages March 30. Reference city: Dallas, TX.
Updated May 13, 2026 · Frost data from NOAA 1991-2020 Climate Normals
0 Start Indoors
0 Plant Outside
218 Harvest
Frost risk: Cleared

Frost season has cleared in Zone 8A. The last spring frost typically passed by March 30, and the very latest 10% chance closed by April 15. Tender crops are safe to plant out.

See full Zone 8A frost outlook →

Start Indoors in May

No crops to start indoors in May for Zone 8A.

Plant Outside in May

No crops to plant outside in May for Zone 8A.

Harvest in May

Plant Type Planted / Sown Harvest Window
All Season Cabbage brassica Feb 23 May 4 – May 14
Broad Windsor Fava Bean legume Feb 16 May 2 – May 12
Brunswick Cabbage brassica Feb 23 May 14 – May 24
Carentan Leeks allium Feb 23 May 24 – Jun 13
Charleston Wakefield Cabbage brassica Feb 16 May 2
Crisphead lettuce Feb 22 May 1 – May 8
Drumhead Cabbage brassica Feb 23 May 24 – Jun 3
Dutch Yellow Shallots allium Feb 9 May 10 – Jun 9
Evergreen Parsley herb Feb 23 May 4 – May 19
French Red Shallots allium Feb 9 May 10 – Jun 9
Full Heart Batavian lettuce Feb 22 May 18 – May 23
Giant Imperial Mix Larkspur Flowers flower Feb 16 May 27 – Jun 16
Glory of Enkhuizen Cabbage brassica Feb 23 May 24
Hamburg Rooted Parsley herb Feb 23 May 24 – Jun 13
Hard Red Wheat Cover Crop cover crop Feb 16 May 2 – May 22
Holland Red Shallots allium Feb 9 May 10 – Jun 9
Iceberg lettuce Feb 22 May 1 – May 8
Morris Heading lettuce Feb 22 May 8 – May 13
Napa Cabbage brassica Feb 22 May 3 – May 23
OG American Flag Leeks allium Feb 23 May 24 – Jun 3
Red Acre Cabbage brassica Feb 16 May 2 – May 7
Savoy Perfection Cabbage brassica Feb 23 May 24 – May 29
Texas 1015Y SuperSweet Onion root vegetable Feb 9 May 25 – Jun 4
Verona Red lettuce Feb 22 May 18 – May 25
All Sorts Surprise Mix Sunflowers flower Mar 16 May 25 – Jun 24
Amarillo Yellow Carrots root vegetable Mar 9 May 23
Angelica herb Mar 9 May 28 – Jun 7
Armenian Cucumber cucumber Mar 16 May 15 – May 25
Ashley Cucumber cucumber Mar 16 May 10 – May 15
Aunt Molly's Ground Cherry vegetable Mar 9 May 18 – Jun 7
Autumn King Carrots root vegetable Mar 9 May 23 – May 28
Baby Blue Eyes Flowers flower Mar 9 May 8 – Jun 7
Bachelor's button edible flowers flower Mar 23 May 22 – Jun 11
Banana Peppers pepper Mar 30 May 29 – Jun 8
Barletta, Pearly White Onions root vegetable Mar 9 May 23 – May 28
Basil Herb Mix herb Mar 16 May 15 – Jun 4
Black Beauty Eggplant vegetable Mar 9 May 23 – Jun 7
Black Beauty Zucchini squash Mar 20 May 4 – May 14
Black Cherry Tomatoes tomato Mar 23 May 26 – Jun 6
Black-Eyed Pea legume Mar 16 May 20 – May 25
Blue Lake Bush Bean legume Mar 16 May 5 – May 13
Borage flower Mar 9 May 3 – May 23
Borlotti Bush Bean legume Mar 16 May 10 – May 20
Boston Pickling Cucumber cucumber Mar 16 May 5 – May 10
Broccolini brassica Mar 23 May 12 – Jun 1
California Bluebell flower Mar 9 May 3 – May 13
California Giant Mix Zinnia Flowers flower Mar 16 May 15 – May 25
Canary Bird Zinnia Flowers flower Mar 16 May 15 – May 25
Caserta Summer Squash squash Mar 16 May 20
Chantenay Carrots root vegetable Mar 9 May 18
Cherry Queen Zinnia Flowers flower Mar 16 May 15 – May 25
Chinese Snake Cucumber cucumber Mar 16 May 30
Chioggia Beet root vegetable Mar 16 May 10 – May 20
Chocolate Bell Sweet Peppers pepper Mar 23 May 27 – Jun 11
Chocolate Cherry Sunflowers flower Mar 16 May 30 – Jun 14
Cinnamon Basil herb Mar 16 May 20 – Jun 4
Clemson Spineless Okra vegetable Mar 9 May 3 – May 12
Cocozelle Summer Squash squash Mar 16 May 5
Cosmic Purple Carrot root vegetable Mar 16 May 13 – May 30
Cosmos flower Mar 9 May 18 – Jun 7
Cosmos Sensations Mix Flowers flower Mar 9 May 18 – May 23
Crackerjack Mix Marigolds flower Mar 9 May 8 – May 23
Crimson Clover cover crop Mar 9 May 8 – Jun 7
Crimson Forest Bunching Onions root vegetable Mar 9 May 8
Crimson Sweet Watermelon melon Mar 9 May 28 – Jun 7
Crosby's Egyptian Beets root vegetable Mar 9 May 3 – May 8
Cubanelle Peppers pepper Mar 30 May 31 – Jun 8
Cupid Grape Tomatoes tomato Mar 23 May 27 – Jun 1
Curly Parsley herb Mar 9 May 18 – May 28
Cylindra Beets root vegetable Mar 9 May 8
Danvers Carrot root vegetable Mar 16 May 25 – Jun 4
Detroit Dark Red Beet root vegetable Mar 16 May 10 – May 15
Dragon Tongue Bean legume Mar 16 May 10 – May 15
Dwarf Long Pod Okra vegetable Mar 30 May 24 – May 29
Early Girl Tomatoes tomato Mar 23 May 14 – May 24
Edamame legume Mar 16 May 30 – Jun 19
Emerald Green Velvet Okra vegetable Mar 23 May 17 – May 20
Epazote herb Mar 16 May 10 – May 20
Everbearing Cucumber cucumber Mar 16 May 15
Fava Bean legume Mar 16 May 30 – Jun 24
Flat-Leaf Parsley herb Mar 9 May 18 – Jun 7
Gaillardia Annual Mix Flowers flower Mar 9 May 18 – Jun 7
Gardener's Delight Tomatoes tomato Mar 23 May 22 – Jun 6
Genovese Basil herb Mar 23 May 22 – Jun 1
German Chamomile herb Mar 9 May 8 – May 13
Giant Maximum Mix Snapdragon Flowers flower Mar 9 May 28 – Jun 12
Globe Gilia Flowers flower Mar 9 May 8 – May 28
Glorious Gleam Nasturtium Flowers flower Mar 9 May 3 – May 18
Golden Bantam Sweet Corn vegetable Mar 23 May 31 – Jun 6
Golden Beet root vegetable Mar 16 May 10 – May 20
Golden Bush Scallop Summer Squash squash Mar 16 May 20
Golden Detroit Beets root vegetable Mar 9 May 3 – May 8
Golden Marconi Sweet Peppers pepper Mar 23 May 27 – Jun 11
Golden Wax Bush Bean legume Mar 16 May 5 – May 15
Greek Basil herb Mar 16 May 20 – May 30
Green Cabbage brassica Mar 23 May 22 – Jul 1
Green Fingers Persian Cucumber cucumber Mar 16 May 10 – May 15
Green shiso leaves herb Mar 16 May 15 – May 25
Hairy vetch cover crop stands cover crop Mar 23 May 22 – Jun 21
Harvester Bush Bean legume Mar 16 May 5 – May 10
Heritage Rainbow Blend Carrots root vegetable Mar 9 May 18 – May 23
Homemade Pickles Cucumber cucumber Mar 16 May 10 – May 15
Hungarian Hot Wax Pepper pepper Mar 23 May 27 – Jun 6
Isis Candy Cherry Tomatoes tomato Mar 16 May 25 – Jun 4
Italian Large Leaf Basil herb Mar 16 May 15 – May 30
Jade Bush Bean legume Mar 16 May 10 – May 15
Jalapeño Peppers pepper Mar 23 May 27 – Jun 6
Juliet Tomatoes tomato Mar 23 May 21 – May 23
Kellogg's Breakfast tomatoes tomato Mar 16 May 30 – Jun 9
Kentucky Wonder Pole Bean legume Mar 16 May 20 – May 27
King Arthur Peppers pepper Mar 30 May 31 – Jun 6
Kuroda Carrots root vegetable Mar 9 May 18
Lacy Phacelia Flowers flower Mar 9 May 3 – May 23
Landreth Bush Bean legume Mar 16 May 5 – May 10
Lemon Cucumber cucumber Mar 9 May 8 – May 18
Lettuce Leaf Basil herb Mar 16 May 20 – Jun 4
Licorice Basil herb Mar 16 May 20 – Jun 4
Lima Bean legume Mar 16 May 15 – Jun 4
Lime Basil herb Mar 16 May 20 – May 30
Little Fingers Carrots root vegetable Mar 9 May 3
Long Green Louisiana Eggplant vegetable Mar 23 May 27 – Jun 1
Long Ping Tung Eggplant vegetable Mar 23 May 17 – May 22
Love-in-a-Mist Flowers flower Mar 9 May 13 – Jun 2
Luminosa Zinnia Flowers flower Mar 16 May 15 – May 25
Lunar White Carrots root vegetable Mar 9 May 23 – May 28
Lunchbox Mini Peppers pepper Mar 30 May 24 – May 29
Mammoth Sunflower flower Mar 9 May 13 – May 28
Manitoba Tomatoes tomato Mar 23 May 17 – May 27
Marketer Cucumber cucumber Mar 16 May 10
Marketmore 76 Cucumber cucumber Mar 23 May 20 – May 30
Matt's Wild Cherry Tomatoes tomato Mar 16 May 10 – May 20
Midnight Snack Tomatoes tomato Mar 23 May 27 – Jun 1
Mrs. Burns Lemon Basil herb Mar 16 May 15 – May 25
Mucho Nacho Jalapeño Peppers pepper Mar 23 May 30 – Jun 1
Muncher Cucumber cucumber Mar 16 May 15 – May 20
Nantes Carrot root vegetable Mar 16 May 17 – May 30
New Sunn Hemp Cover Crop cover crop Mar 23 May 22 – Jun 21
New Zealand Spinach lettuce Mar 16 May 5 – May 15
Nodding Catchfly Flowers flower Mar 9 May 8 – Jun 7
Nutri-Red Carrots root vegetable Mar 9 May 18 – May 23
Orange King Zinnia Flowers flower Mar 16 May 15 – May 25
Orange Sulphur Cosmos Flowers flower Mar 9 May 3 – May 18
Padron Peppers pepper Mar 30 May 29 – Jun 3
Patio Princess Tomatoes tomato Mar 23 May 27 – Jun 1
Pattypan Squash squash Mar 16 May 2 – May 10
Paul Robeson tomatoes tomato Mar 16 May 25 – Jun 9
Pepperoncini Pepper pepper Mar 23 May 27 – Jun 6
Phacelia cover crop and bee forage cover crop Mar 23 May 7 – May 22
Pineapple Tomatillos vegetable Mar 16 May 25 – Jun 4
Pinkeye Purple Hull Cowpea legume Mar 23 May 22 – Jun 1
Plains Coreopsis flower Mar 9 May 8 – May 18
Poblano Peppers pepper Mar 23 May 27 – Jun 6
Polar Bear Zinnia Flowers flower Mar 16 May 15 – May 25
Powderpuff Aster Flowers flower Mar 16 May 30 – Jun 9
Prizewinner Runner Pole Bean legume Mar 16 May 30 – Jun 6
Provider Bush Bean legume Mar 16 May 5 – May 10
Purple Carrots root vegetable Mar 9 May 18 – May 23
Purple Haze Carrots root vegetable Mar 9 May 18 – May 21
Purple Tomatillos vegetable Mar 16 May 30 – Jun 9
Pápalo leaves herb Mar 9 May 18 – May 28
Rattlesnake Pole Bean legume Mar 16 May 15 – May 25
Red Burgundy Okra vegetable Mar 23 May 17 – May 22
Red Garnet Amaranth vegetable Mar 16 May 10 – May 15
Red Pear Tomatoes tomato Mar 23 May 27 – Jun 6
Red Velvet Leaf Basil herb Mar 16 May 20 – Jun 4
Red-Stem Malabar Spinach lettuce Mar 23 May 17 – Jun 1
Roma II Bush Bean legume Mar 16 May 8 – May 14
Romano Pole Bean legume Mar 16 May 15 – May 23
Royal Burgundy Bush Bean legume Mar 16 May 5 – May 10
Shelling Pea legume Mar 16 May 10 – May 25
Shishito Peppers pepper Mar 30 May 29 – Jun 3
Signet marigold edible flowers flower Mar 23 May 22 – May 27
Single Mix China Aster Flowers flower Mar 16 May 25 – Jun 4
Slenderette Bush Bean legume Mar 16 May 8 – May 12
Snow Crown Cauliflower brassica Mar 23 May 12 – May 22
Snow Pea legume Mar 16 May 7 – May 25
Snow White Carrots root vegetable Mar 9 May 18 – May 23
Solar Yellow Carrots root vegetable Mar 9 May 18 – May 23
Spacemaster Bush Cucumber cucumber Mar 16 May 15 – May 20
Sparky Mix Marigolds flower Mar 9 May 3 – May 18
St. Valery Carrots root vegetable Mar 9 May 18
Straight Eight Cucumber cucumber Mar 16 May 15 – May 20
Sugar Snap Pea legume Mar 16 May 10 – May 25
Summer Max Mix Cover Crop cover crop Mar 23 May 7 – May 22
Summer Savory herb Mar 16 May 10 – May 20
Sun Gold Tomatoes tomato Mar 23 May 19 – May 27
Sunspot Sunflowers flower Mar 16 May 10 – May 25
Sweet 100 Tomatoes tomato Mar 23 May 22 – May 27
Sweet Marjoram herb Mar 16 May 30 – Jun 14
Sweet Million Tomatoes tomato Mar 23 May 22 – May 27
Tall Trailing Mix Nasturtium Flowers flower Mar 9 May 3 – May 18
Taylor Dwarf Bush Bean legume Mar 16 May 20 – May 23
Tendergreen Burpless Cucumber cucumber Mar 16 May 20
Tendergreen Bush Bean legume Mar 16 May 5 – May 10
Tendersweet Carrots root vegetable Mar 9 May 18
Texas Bluebonnet Lupine Flowers flower Mar 9 May 23 – Jun 12
Thai Basil herb Mar 23 May 22 – May 27
Thorogreen Bush Lima Bean legume Mar 19 May 23 – Jun 2
Tigerella Tomatoes tomato Mar 23 May 17 – Jun 1
Tiny Tim Tomatoes tomato Mar 23 May 7 – May 17
Tomatillo vegetable Mar 9 May 8 – Jun 2
Top Crop Bush Bean legume Mar 16 May 5 – May 10
Trucker's Favorite Corn vegetable Mar 16 May 30 – Jun 9
Tumbling Tom Red Tomatoes tomato Mar 23 May 27 – Jun 1
Turnip root vegetable Mar 16 May 5 – May 15
Velvet Queen Sunflowers flower Mar 16 May 30 – Jun 14
Verde Tomatillos vegetable Mar 16 May 30 – Jun 9
Watermelon Radishes root vegetable Mar 16 May 5 – May 20
West Indian Burr Gherkin Cucumber cucumber Mar 16 May 10 – May 20
White Detroit Beets root vegetable Mar 9 May 3 – May 8
White Emergo Runner Pole Bean legume Mar 16 May 30 – Jun 4
White Lisbon Bunching Onions root vegetable Mar 9 May 13
White Wonder Cucumber cucumber Mar 16 May 10 – May 15
Yard Long Bean legume Mar 16 May 15 – Jun 14
Yellow Crookneck Squash squash Mar 16 May 5 – May 15
Yellow Sulphur Cosmos Flowers flower Mar 9 May 3 – May 18
Zinnia flower Mar 9 May 8 – Jun 7
Garlic root vegetable Sep 10 May 8 – Jun 7

Key Tasks for May in Zone 8A

  1. 1 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 8A planting calendar
April May in Zone 8A June

Get a Personalized May Calendar

SoilStack builds your exact planting schedule from your ZIP code — day-by-day tasks, weather prompts, and harvest tracking included.

Start Your Free Garden Calendar