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What to plant in May in Zone 5a

In May, Zone 5a gardeners can transplant outdoors, sow for fall harvest, direct-sow — 20 crops have a planting task this month.

Zone 5a frost: last ~05/12, first ~10/01. Dates computed from these and cited extension rules. For your exact town, use the ZIP tool.

Start indoors

CucumbersStart indoorsSummer Squash & ZucchiniStart indoorsWinter SquashStart indoorsPumpkinsStart indoorsMelonsStart indoorsOkraStart indoors

Transplant outdoors

TomatoesTransplant outdoorsPeppersTransplant outdoorsEggplantTransplant outdoorsBasilTransplant outdoorsCauliflowerTransplant outdoorsSwiss ChardTransplant outdoorsCucumbersTransplant outdoorsSummer Squash & ZucchiniTransplant outdoorsWinter SquashTransplant outdoorsPumpkinsTransplant outdoorsMelonsTransplant outdoorsOkraTransplant outdoorsParsleyTransplant outdoors

Direct-sow

Swiss ChardDirect-sowBeetsDirect-sowCarrotsDirect-sowBeansDirect-sowSweet CornDirect-sowCucumbersDirect-sowSummer Squash & ZucchiniDirect-sowWinter SquashDirect-sowPumpkinsDirect-sowOkraDirect-sowPotatoesDirect-sow

Sow for fall harvest

CabbageSow for fall harvestBrussels SproutsSow for fall harvest

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Last verified 2026-07-16. Frost: NOAA NCEI 1991–2020. Zone: USDA 2023. Rules: UNH Extension, Johnny's, UGA Extension.