14 Vegetables to Plant in May

Written by August Croft
Updated: May 14, 2023
Share on:

Advertisement


If you live in Hardiness Zones 7-11, there are so many vegetables to plant in May! Likewise, Zones 3-6 can still get their veggies started, so long as you pay attention to your local weather and any potential for freezing conditions. May marks the beginning of springtime weather for most of the United States, but what crops grow best when planted during this time of year?

On the whole, most vegetables can be planted outdoors in May, with some slow-growing options best planted using established starts rather than grown from seed. Some crops that should be planted as seedlings include tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and cucumbers. However, some veggies should be directly sown from seed, including corn, Brussels sprouts, and carrots.

These are great options for planting in May.

Even if you’re brand new to gardening, May is a great month to start. So long as your frost conditions have passed, your soil is warming and your plants are ready to grow! While this isn’t a complete list and many other crops can be planted during this month, here are a few different vegetables you can plant in May.

The 14 Best Vegetables to Plant in May

vegetables to plant in may
On the whole, most vegetables can be planted outdoors in May, with some slow-growing options best planted using established starts rather than grown from seed.

©ArieStudio/Shutterstock.com

Spacing your garden is key to having a successful May planting. Some crops, such as corn and squash, have specific growing requirements based on how they are placed and spaced. This is especially true if you are gardening in a limited area. With a little practice, you can grow a number of delicious vegetables during this springtime month. Here are a few options to consider!

Cabbage

vegetables to plant in may

All cabbage plants struggle in the heat of summer, preferring cool weather.

©iStock.com/Lusyaya

Depending on your region, it may be too late to plant cabbage plants from seed. However, you may have some luck with transplanting an established cabbage seedling, depending on the variety. All cabbage plants struggle in the heat of summer, preferring cool weather. But you may have enough time to grow these tasty heads if you know your local weather conditions well! Cabbages require full sunshine and plenty of food throughout their growth period. Make sure you have compost or other nutritious options for this heavy feeder. 

Tomatoes

vegetables to plant in may

May is the perfect time to plant established tomato seedlings purchased at your local garden center.

©knelson20/Shutterstock.com

A number of vegetables on this list require warmer soil temperatures before they can be safely grown outdoors. Tomatoes are one of those crops, and May is the perfect time to plant established seedlings purchased at your local garden center. Make sure that your average temperatures are consistently 50 to 60° F before planting, as tomatoes are very susceptible to cold temperatures. However, with so many varieties and sizes as well as flavors, this is a vegetable that will keep on giving all summer long so long as it’s planted in full sun! 

Peppers

vegetables to plant in may

Purchasing established pepper plants in the month of May is a good idea.

©iStock.com/Kateryna Kolesnyk

Speaking of plants that are susceptible to cold temperatures, peppers should be planted outdoors in the same way that tomatoes are. Purchasing established pepper plants in the month of May is a good idea. This vegetable takes a long time to germinate from seed, but it’s still a vegetable to plant in May. When planted in full sun and watered with care, pepper plants continually produce until the first frost in the fall. Plus, there are a dizzying amount of pepper plants, capable of growing in smaller containers as well as larger gardens. 

Eggplants

vegetables to plant in may

You should supply your eggplant with a cage or other support system, as this crop is quickly weighed down as it grows.

©Mathia Coco/Shutterstock.com

A member of the same family as tomatoes and peppers, eggplants also crave full sunlight, warm soil temperatures, and a lot of food during the growing season. Purchase an established eggplant seedling from your garden store and make sure to plant your eggplants when your soil has reached at least 50° F consistently. You should also supply your eggplant with a cage or other support system. This crop is quickly weighed down as it grows. Make sure your eggplant has sandy or loose draining soil to avoid rot or disease. 

Carrots

vegetables to plant in may

Given the way that carrots grow, you should only start these tasty vegetables from seed.

©iStock.com/lprising

Just like cabbage, carrots will only grow when temperatures are mild but that doesn’t mean you can’t grow some during the month of May. Given the way that carrots grow, you should only start these tasty vegetables from seed. Directly sowing them in the location where they will finish growing is best. Carrots prefer full sunshine and slightly sandy soil so that they can root down through it with ease. Plus, if your weather remains fair, you can continually replant carrot seeds throughout springtime! 

Cantaloupe

vegetables to plant in may

Cantaloupes need plenty of space to grow. They also crave full sunshine in order to get sweet!

©iStock.com/agcuesta

If you live in Hardiness Zones 3 through 6, it may be too soon to plant your cantaloupe plants. This is a crop that prefers soil temperatures averaging anywhere from 65 to 70° F. You should ensure that your cantaloupe crop will have at least two solid months of hot summer temperatures. This is the best way to sweeten this fruit. Cantaloupes need plenty of space to grow and your seedlings should be placed at least 2 ft apart from each other. While it may take a while for these melons to mature, they truly grow sweeter and more delicious when grown in your own backyard! 

Honeydew

vegetables to plant in may

Make sure to not plant your honeydew plants too soon, as warm temperatures are a must.

©iStock.com/sunstock

If you want to grow both cantaloupe and honeydew melons, you can follow the same general growing guidelines for both crops. Honeydew melons need full sunshine and nutritious soil that has been amended with either manure or compost. Make sure to not plant your honeydew plants too soon, as warm temperatures are a must. Keep an eye out for pests and ensure that your soil is free of any weeds that might prevent your honeydew vines from spreading. As the fruit develops, there are many different methods you can take to protect them as they grow, including propping them up off the ground to avoid rot! 

Pumpkins

vegetables to plant in may

Full sunshine is a must for pumpkins as well as nutritious soil. Check your specific variety for specific care instructions.

©ElenaG177/Shutterstock.com

Many people choose to plant pumpkins from seed in mid to late spring, which may mean that this particular month doesn’t work for your Zone. However, like cantaloupe and honeydew, pumpkins require plenty of space to spread out. Likewise, full sunshine is a must for pumpkins as well as nutritious soil and plenty of water, especially when this crop is first established. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the particular pumpkin variety you want to plant. Some varieties spread out more than others! 

Zucchini

vegetables to plant in may

Like many other vegetables on this list, zucchini requires full sunshine.

©iStock.com/Cineberg

May is a great month for planting zucchini from seed or established plants depending on how warm it is in your region. Like many other vegetables on this list, zucchini requires full sunshine. They also need soil temperatures above 60° F and enough room to spread out in order to succeed. Zucchini plants can have trouble with pollination. Keeping flowers that attract pollinators nearby is a good idea. More often than not, zucchini crops grow prolifically and easily, so long as they have plenty of compost fertilizer, and water while fruiting! 

Yellow Squash

vegetables to plant in may

Watering thoroughly, at least an inch per week, is a must for this summer squash.

© – License

Belonging to the same family, yellow squash and zucchini grow in a similar fashion and are great vegetables to plant in May. Also known as crookneck squash, yellow squash requires full sunshine. They also need nutritious soil, and at least 3 ft to spread out as they produce. Watering thoroughly, at least an inch per week, is a must for this summer squash. And, just like zucchini, yellow squash plants will continue to produce en masse until the first frost of fall! Just make sure your temperatures are warm enough when you first plant them.

Corn

vegetables to plant in may

There are many corn varieties, based largely on sweetness and color.

©iStock.com/Kwangmoozaa

The spacing of your corn plants is key to their overall success, given the fact that corn is primarily pollinated by wind and shifting breezes. With full sunshine, plenty of water, and a bit of fertilizer throughout the growing season, corn is relatively easy to grow. Keep in mind that stalks of corn will only produce two ears on average. This may prompt you to plant even more corn the following year! There are many corn varieties, based largely on sweetness and color.

Brussels Sprouts

vegetables to plant in may

Brussels sprouts are typically planted from seed with success during spring.

©mm7/Shutterstock.com

With an upright growth habit, Brussels sprouts will likely be the most intriguing thing growing in your garden. Keep in mind that this crop may delay its germination in cold temperatures, so make sure your timing is right. However, Brussels sprouts are typically planted from seed with success during spring, leading to a fall time harvest. This unique crop loves regular watering at the base of the plant and composted soil.

Cucumbers

vegetables to plant in may

So long as you plant cucumbers with temperature in mind, this is a very easy crop to grow.

©Tatevosian Yana/Shutterstock.com

If you know you want cucumbers quickly, prepare your garden soil by laying down a layer of black plastic. This helps your soil warm up in preparation for cucumber seedlings, as this crop is particularly susceptible to soil temperatures under 70° F. So long as you plant cucumbers with temperature in mind, this is a very easy crop to grow. It does best in full sunshine and prefers to be watered frequently. You can find varieties of cucumbers that do well in containers. There are also larger varieties known for producing heavily. 

Sweet Potatoes

vegetables to plant in may

Many sweet potato varieties need at least 120 days to mature and produce.

©Angelika Heine/Shutterstock.com

While sweet potatoes are easy to care for once established, these long-growing crops need to be timed perfectly. Your soil needs to be above 65° F regularly for best success, but many sweet potato varieties need at least 120 days to mature and produce. That’s why this crop is best suited to arid, dry regions, but some varieties and cultivars can be grown in northern regions. With full sunshine and plenty of space for their vines to spread out, sweet potatoes produce plenty of delicious potatoes when they are watered thoroughly! 

Summary of 14 Best Vegetables to Plant in May

RankVegetable
1Cabbage
2Tomatoes
3Peppers
4Eggplants
5Carrots
6Cantaloupe
7Honeydew
8Pumpkins
9Zucchini
10Yellow Squash
11Corn
12Brussels Sprouts
13Cucumbers
14Sweet Potatoes

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Singkham/Shutterstock.com


Share on:
About the Author

August Croft is a writer at A-Z Animals where their primary focus is on astrology, symbolism, and gardening. August has been writing a variety of content for over 4 years and holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Theater from Southern Oregon University, which they earned in 2014. They are currently working toward a professional certification in astrology and chart reading. A resident of Oregon, August enjoys playwriting, craft beer, and cooking seasonal recipes for their friends and high school sweetheart.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us? Contact the AZ Animals editorial team.