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Zone 8B — May

What to Plant in May in Zone 8B

May in Zone 8B: 0 crops to start indoors, 0 to plant or direct sow outside, and 238 entering harvest window. Last frost averages March 20. Reference city: Houston, TX.
Updated May 13, 2026 · Frost data from NOAA 1991-2020 Climate Normals
0 Start Indoors
0 Plant Outside
238 Harvest
Frost risk: Cleared

Frost season has cleared in Zone 8B. The last spring frost typically passed by March 20, and the very latest 10% chance closed by April 8. Tender crops are safe to plant out.

See full Zone 8B frost outlook →

Start Indoors in May

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

Plant Outside in May

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

Harvest in May

Plant Type Planted / Sown Harvest Window
Giant Imperial Mix Larkspur Flowers flower Jan 28 May 8 – May 28
Texas 1015Y SuperSweet Onion root vegetable Jan 21 May 6 – May 16
Acorn Squash squash Feb 25 May 16 – Jun 5
African Flake Daisy Flowers flower Feb 18 May 19 – May 29
All Sorts Surprise Mix Sunflowers flower Feb 25 May 6 – Jun 5
All Sweet Watermelon melon Feb 25 May 26 – May 31
Amarillo Oro Melon melon Feb 25 May 26
Amarillo Yellow Carrots root vegetable Feb 18 May 4
Angelica herb Feb 18 May 9 – May 19
Arroyo Lupine Flowers flower Feb 18 May 14 – Jun 3
Autumn King Carrots root vegetable Feb 18 May 4 – May 9
Banana Melon melon Feb 25 May 26
Barletta, Pearly White Onions root vegetable Feb 18 May 4 – May 9
Beauregard Sweet Potato root vegetable Feb 25 May 26 – Jun 10
Black Beauty Eggplant vegetable Feb 18 May 4 – May 19
Black Diamond Watermelon melon Feb 25 May 26
Black-Eyed Pea legume Feb 25 May 1 – May 6
Burgess Buttercup Winter Squash squash Feb 25 May 26
Cal Sweet Watermelon melon Feb 25 May 21 – May 26
Carentan Leeks allium Feb 4 May 5 – May 25
Carolina Cross Watermelon melon Feb 25 May 31
Caserta Summer Squash squash Feb 25 May 1
Chinese Snake Cucumber cucumber Feb 25 May 11
Chocolate Cherry Sunflowers flower Feb 25 May 11 – May 26
Cinnamon Basil herb Feb 25 May 1 – May 16
Clasping Coneflower flower Feb 25 May 21 – Jun 5
Classic Tomatillos vegetable Feb 25 May 16 – May 21
Congo Watermelon melon Feb 25 May 26 – May 31
Crego Mix Aster Flowers flower Feb 25 May 16 – May 26
Crimson Sweet Watermelon melon Feb 18 May 9 – May 19
Danish Ballhead Cabbage brassica Feb 4 May 15 – May 25
Danvers Carrot root vegetable Feb 25 May 6 – May 16
Dark Green Summer Squash squash Feb 25 May 16
Delicata Squash squash Feb 25 May 16 – Jun 5
Drumhead Cabbage brassica Feb 4 May 5 – May 15
Edamame legume Feb 25 May 11 – May 31
Evening Sun Sunflowers flower Feb 25 May 16 – May 26
Fall Rutabagas root vegetable Feb 25 May 21 – Jun 5
Fava Bean legume Feb 25 May 11 – Jun 5
Florida Giant Watermelon melon Feb 25 May 21
Full Heart Batavian lettuce Feb 6 May 2 – May 7
Georgia Rattlesnake Watermelon melon Feb 25 May 26 – May 31
Giant Maximum Mix Snapdragon Flowers flower Feb 18 May 9 – May 24
Giant Musselburgh Leeks allium Feb 4 May 15 – May 20
Glory of Enkhuizen Cabbage brassica Feb 4 May 5
Golden Bush Scallop Summer Squash squash Feb 25 May 1
Golden Celery vegetable Feb 25 May 21 – May 31
Greek Basil herb Feb 25 May 1 – May 11
Green Flesh Honeydew Melon melon Feb 25 May 21 – Jun 5
Green Marrow Summer Squash squash Feb 25 May 21
Hamburg Rooted Parsley herb Feb 4 May 5 – May 25
Harris Model Parsnips root vegetable Feb 18 May 19
Heart of Gold Cantaloupe Melon melon Feb 25 May 21 – Jun 5
Heirloom Red Kuri Squash squash Feb 25 May 26 – Jun 5
Honey Rock Cantaloupe Melon melon Feb 25 May 21 – Jun 5
Imperial Star Artichoke vegetable Feb 18 May 19 – May 29
Isis Candy Cherry Tomatoes tomato Feb 25 May 6 – May 16
Jack O'Lantern Pumpkin squash Feb 25 May 26 – Jun 15
Jubilee Watermelon melon Feb 25 May 26 – May 31
Kellogg's Breakfast tomatoes tomato Feb 25 May 11 – May 21
Kentucky Wonder Pole Bean legume Feb 25 May 1 – May 8
King of the Garden Pole Lima Bean legume Feb 28 May 27 – Jun 3
Leek vegetable Feb 18 May 29 – Jun 28
Lettuce Leaf Basil herb Feb 25 May 1 – May 16
Licorice Basil herb Feb 25 May 1 – May 16
Lime Basil herb Feb 25 May 1 – May 11
Lunar White Carrots root vegetable Feb 18 May 4 – May 9
Moon & Stars Red-Flesh Watermelon melon Feb 25 May 26 – Jun 5
Moon & Stars Yellow-Flesh Watermelon melon Feb 25 May 26 – Jun 5
OG American Flag Leeks allium Feb 4 May 5 – May 15
Orange Flesh Honeydew Melon melon Feb 25 May 21 – Jun 5
Orion Florence Fennel vegetable Feb 25 May 16 – May 26
Paul Robeson tomatoes tomato Feb 25 May 6 – May 21
Pineapple Tomatillos vegetable Feb 25 May 6 – May 16
Pixie Delight Lupine Flowers flower Feb 18 May 19 – Jun 8
Planters Jumbo Cantaloupe Melon melon Feb 25 May 21
Popcorn vegetable Feb 18 May 14 – Jun 18
Powderpuff Aster Flowers flower Feb 25 May 11 – May 21
Prizewinner Runner Pole Bean legume Feb 25 May 11 – May 18
Purple Tomatillos vegetable Feb 25 May 11 – May 21
Queen Anne's Lace Flowers flower Feb 18 May 14 – May 29
Red Pontiac Potato root vegetable Feb 25 May 26 – Jun 15
Red Velvet Leaf Basil herb Feb 25 May 1 – May 16
Savoy Perfection Cabbage brassica Feb 4 May 5 – May 10
Shallot vegetable Feb 18 May 19 – Jun 18
Silver Queen Sweet Corn vegetable Feb 18 May 19 – May 21
Single Mix China Aster Flowers flower Feb 25 May 6 – May 16
Spaghetti Squash squash Feb 25 May 24 – Jun 5
Sugar Pie Pumpkin squash Feb 25 May 26 – Jun 15
Sun Gold Sunflowers flower Feb 25 May 16 – May 31
Sunshine Kabocha Squash squash Feb 25 May 31 – Jun 5
Sweet Marjoram herb Feb 25 May 11 – May 26
Tall Utah 52-70 Celery vegetable Feb 18 May 29 – Jun 28
Taylor Dwarf Bush Bean legume Feb 25 May 1 – May 4
Tendercrisp Celery vegetable Feb 25 May 21 – Jun 5
Tendergreen Burpless Cucumber cucumber Feb 25 May 1
Tendersweet Orange Watermelon melon Feb 25 May 26 – May 31
Texas Bluebonnet Lupine Flowers flower Feb 18 May 4 – May 24
Thorogreen Bush Lima Bean legume Feb 28 May 4 – May 14
Tom Watson Watermelon melon Feb 25 May 21
Trucker's Favorite Corn vegetable Feb 25 May 11 – May 21
Velvet Queen Sunflowers flower Feb 25 May 11 – May 26
Verde Tomatillos vegetable Feb 25 May 11 – May 21
Verona Red lettuce Feb 6 May 2 – May 9
Wee Be Little Pumpkin squash Feb 25 May 21
White Emergo Runner Pole Bean legume Feb 25 May 11 – May 16
White Marrow Summer Squash squash Feb 25 May 21
Witloof White lettuce Feb 6 May 23 – Jun 15
Yukon Gold Potato root vegetable Feb 25 May 16 – Jun 5
Abe Lincoln Tomatoes tomato Mar 4 May 23 – Jun 2
Ace 55 Tomatoes tomato Mar 4 May 18 – May 23
Amish Paste Tomatoes tomato Mar 4 May 17 – May 28
Anaheim Peppers pepper Mar 4 May 20 – May 28
Ancho Grande Hot Peppers pepper Mar 4 May 18 – May 28
Atkinson Tomatoes tomato Mar 4 May 13 – May 23
Bachelor's button edible flowers flower Mar 4 May 3 – May 23
Banana Peppers pepper Mar 11 May 10 – May 20
Beefsteak Tomatoes tomato Mar 4 May 23 – May 28
Better Boy Tomatoes tomato Mar 4 May 13 – May 18
Big Jim Hatch Chile pepper Mar 4 May 13 – May 18
Big Rainbow Tomatoes tomato Mar 4 May 28 – Jun 7
Bitter melons vegetable Mar 4 May 18 – Jun 2
Black Cherry Tomatoes tomato Mar 4 May 7 – May 18
Black Krim Tomatoes tomato Mar 4 May 18 – May 23
Bonny Best Tomatoes tomato Mar 4 May 18 – May 23
Bradley Tomatoes tomato Mar 4 May 18 – May 23
Brandywine Tomatoes tomato Mar 4 May 23 – Jun 2
Brussels Sprouts brassica Mar 4 May 28 – Jun 22
California Wonder Peppers pepper Mar 11 May 22 – May 25
Calypso Tomatoes tomato Mar 4 May 18 – May 23
Cantaloupe melon Mar 4 May 23 – Jun 2
Caribe Tomatoes tomato Mar 4 May 18 – May 28
Casper Eggplant vegetable Mar 4 May 13
Cayenne Peppers pepper Mar 4 May 28 – Jun 7
Celebrity Tomatoes tomato Mar 4 May 13 – May 15
Cherokee Purple Tomatoes tomato Mar 4 May 21 – May 28
Cherry Bomb peppers pepper Mar 4 May 18 – May 23
Chocolate Bell Sweet Peppers pepper Mar 4 May 8 – May 23
Chocolate Cherry Tomatoes tomato Mar 4 May 18 – May 23
Chocolate Habanero Hot Peppers pepper Mar 4 May 28 – Jun 17
Corno di Toro Pepper pepper Mar 4 May 18 – May 23
Creole Tomatoes tomato Mar 4 May 23 – Jun 2
Cubanelle Peppers pepper Mar 11 May 12 – May 20
Cupid Grape Tomatoes tomato Mar 4 May 8 – May 13
Delicious Tomatoes tomato Mar 4 May 18 – May 23
Dwarf Long Pod Okra vegetable Mar 11 May 5 – May 10
Egg Tomatoes tomato Mar 4 May 18 – May 23
Emerald Giant Sweet Peppers pepper Mar 4 May 18 – May 28
Firecracker Hot Peppers pepper Mar 4 May 23 – Jul 2
Floradade Tomatoes tomato Mar 4 May 13 – May 18
Florida Market Eggplant vegetable Mar 4 May 23 – Jun 2
Fresno Peppers pepper Mar 4 May 18 – May 23
Gardener's Delight Tomatoes tomato Mar 4 May 3 – May 18
Genovese Basil herb Mar 4 May 3 – May 13
Golden Bantam Sweet Corn vegetable Mar 4 May 12 – May 18
Golden Marconi Sweet Peppers pepper Mar 4 May 8 – May 23
Golden Sunray Tomatoes tomato Mar 4 May 18 – May 23
Green Cabbage brassica Mar 4 May 3 – Jun 12
Green Zebra Tomatoes tomato Mar 4 May 18 – May 21
Hairy vetch cover crop stands cover crop Mar 4 May 3 – Jun 2
Homestead Tomatoes tomato Mar 4 May 23 – May 28
Hungarian Hot Wax Pepper pepper Mar 4 May 8 – May 18
Jacob's Cattle beans legume Mar 4 May 23 – Jun 2
Jalapeño Peppers pepper Mar 4 May 8 – May 18
Jimmy Nardello Peppers pepper Mar 11 May 30 – Jun 9
Jubilee Tomatoes tomato Mar 4 May 18 – May 23
Juliet Tomatoes tomato Mar 4 May 2 – May 4
King Arthur Peppers pepper Mar 11 May 12 – May 18
Large Red Cherry Tomatoes tomato Mar 4 May 13 – May 23
Lemon Habanero Hot Peppers pepper Mar 4 May 28 – Jun 17
Long Green Louisiana Eggplant vegetable Mar 4 May 8 – May 13
Long Purple Italian Eggplant vegetable Mar 4 May 18
Lunchbox Mini Peppers pepper Mar 11 May 5 – May 10
Marglobe Improved Tomatoes tomato Mar 4 May 13 – May 23
Marglobe Supreme Tomatoes tomato Mar 4 May 13 – May 23
Marion Tomatoes tomato Mar 4 May 18 – May 23
Marketmore 76 Cucumber cucumber Mar 4 May 1 – May 11
Midnight Snack Tomatoes tomato Mar 4 May 8 – May 13
Money Maker Tomatoes tomato Mar 4 May 18 – May 28
Mortgage Lifter Tomatoes tomato Mar 4 May 23 – May 28
Mountain Magic Tomatoes tomato Mar 4 May 15 – May 18
Mr. Stripey Tomatoes tomato Mar 4 May 28 – Jun 7
Mucho Nacho Jalapeño Peppers pepper Mar 4 May 11 – May 13
New Sunn Hemp Cover Crop cover crop Mar 4 May 3 – Jun 2
Orange Habanero Hot Peppers pepper Mar 4 May 28 – Jun 17
Orange Horizon Sweet Peppers pepper Mar 4 May 18 – May 23
Orange Oxheart Tomatoes tomato Mar 4 May 18 – May 28
Padron Peppers pepper Mar 11 May 10 – May 15
Pandora Striped Eggplant vegetable Mar 4 May 18 – May 23
Pasilla de Oaxaca Hot Peppers pepper Mar 4 May 18 – May 28
Patio Princess Tomatoes tomato Mar 4 May 8 – May 13
Pepperoncini Pepper pepper Mar 4 May 8 – May 18
Pimento Sweet Peppers pepper Mar 4 May 28 – Jun 2
Pineapple Tomatoes tomato Mar 4 May 28 – Jun 7
Pink Oxheart Tomatoes tomato Mar 4 May 23 – Jun 2
Pinkeye Purple Hull Cowpea legume Mar 4 May 3 – May 13
Poblano Peppers pepper Mar 4 May 8 – May 18
Ponderosa Red Beefsteak Tomatoes tomato Mar 4 May 18 – May 23
Purple Basil herb Mar 4 May 13 – May 28
Purple Beauty Sweet Peppers pepper Mar 4 May 13 – May 18
Red Cabbage brassica Mar 4 May 13 – Jun 22
Red Caribbean Habanero Hot Peppers pepper Mar 4 May 28 – Jun 17
Red Cayenne Hot Peppers pepper Mar 4 May 18 – May 28
Red Cherry Hot Peppers pepper Mar 4 May 18 – May 28
Red Mushroom Hot Peppers pepper Mar 4 May 18 – May 28
Red Pear Tomatoes tomato Mar 4 May 8 – May 18
Rio Grande Tomatoes tomato Mar 4 May 18 – May 23
Roma VF Tomatoes tomato Mar 4 May 18 – May 23
Romanesco brassica Mar 4 May 18 – Jun 12
Round Mauve Eggplant vegetable Mar 4 May 23 – Jun 2
Rutgers Tomato tomato Mar 4 May 13 – May 23
San Marzano Tomatoes tomato Mar 4 May 21 – May 31
Santa Fe Grande Hot Peppers pepper Mar 4 May 18 – May 23
Serrano Peppers pepper Mar 4 May 13 – May 23
Shishito Peppers pepper Mar 11 May 10 – May 15
Signet marigold edible flowers flower Mar 4 May 3 – May 8
Sugar Baby Watermelon melon Mar 4 May 18 – May 23
Sunbright Yellow Sweet Peppers pepper Mar 4 May 18 – May 23
Sunray Tomatoes tomato Mar 4 May 18 – May 23
Sweet 100 Tomatoes tomato Mar 4 May 3 – May 8
Sweet Million Tomatoes tomato Mar 4 May 3 – May 8
Tabasco Hot Peppers pepper Mar 4 May 23 – Jun 2
Thai Basil herb Mar 4 May 3 – May 8
Thai Hot Peppers pepper Mar 4 May 18 – May 28
Thessaloniki Tomatoes tomato Mar 4 May 18 – May 23
Trinidad Moruga Scorpion peppers pepper Mar 4 May 23 – Jul 2
Tumbling Tom Red Tomatoes tomato Mar 4 May 8 – May 13
Turkish Orange Eggplant vegetable Mar 4 May 28 – Jun 2
VR Moscow Tomatoes tomato Mar 4 May 23 – Jun 2
Waltham 29 Broccoli brassica Mar 4 May 18 – Jun 2
White Cherry Tomatoes tomato Mar 4 May 13 – May 18
White Cloud Sweet Peppers pepper Mar 4 May 13 – May 18
Yellow Beefsteak Tomatoes tomato Mar 4 May 18 – May 28
Yellow Jalapeno (Caloro) Hot Peppers pepper Mar 4 May 18 – May 28
Yellow Mushroom Hot Peppers pepper Mar 4 May 18 – May 28
Yellow Oxheart Tomatoes tomato Mar 4 May 28 – Jun 2
Yellow Pear Tomatoes tomato Mar 4 May 13 – May 23
Yolo Wonder Sweet Peppers pepper Mar 4 May 13 – May 23

Key Tasks for May in Zone 8B

  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 8B planting calendar
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