GreenlyWhat to plant in May in Florida
Worked out for 9 cities from their own weather and frost dates, by zone.
What to sow and plant in May in Florida, by zone: frost-free, highs above 82 °F (Miami, Jacksonville and 6 more): tomato, bell pepper, zucchini, green beans, cucumber and 22 more; frost-free, highs of 72–82 °F (Pensacola): tomato, bell pepper, zucchini, green beans, cucumber and 22 more.
In Florida, May is spring.
Frost-free, highs above 82 °F: Miami, Jacksonville, Tampa, Orlando and 4 more
In May, on average, these cities have highs of 85 to 89 °F and lows of 66 to 72 °F, 3.3 to 6.8 in of rain on 10 to 18 days; the day lasts 13 h 24 min to 13 h 41 min (on the 15th).
No frost in May in 10 years of data: frost-tender crops can go in too, if it is warm enough for them.
| How | What | Where |
|---|---|---|
| start indoors, plant out in July | Tomato, bell pepper, eggplant, chili pepper | Jacksonville, Tampa, Orlando and 4 more |
| sow direct | Zucchini, green beans, pumpkin, sweet corn, corn, Napa cabbage, okra | Jacksonville, Tampa, Orlando and 4 more |
| start indoors, plant out in June | Cucumber, melon | Jacksonville, Tampa, Orlando and 4 more |
| sow direct | Watermelon, basil, bok choy, borage, chayote, Florence fennel, kiwano, luffa, moringa, peanut, soybean | all |
| start indoors, plant out in June | Achocha | all |
| start indoors, plant out in August | Celeriac, celery | all |
Compared with April: no longer sown — arugula.
Not starting in May: lettuce (November, sown direct), peas (November, sown direct) and spinach (November, started indoors) — dates for Tallahassee.
Ready to harvest in May in Tallahassee, if sown in the right month: broad bean (February), peas (March), cabbage (January), beet (March), green beans (March), sweet corn (February), parsley (March) and cilantro (March).
Frost-free, highs of 72–82 °F: Pensacola
In May, on average, Pensacola has highs of 82 °F and lows of 68 °F, 5.1 in of rain on 12 days; the day lasts 13 h 41 min (on the 15th).
No frost in May in 10 years of data: frost-tender crops can go in too, if it is warm enough for them.
| How | What | Where |
|---|---|---|
| start indoors, plant out in July | Tomato, bell pepper, eggplant, chili pepper | Pensacola |
| sow direct | Zucchini, green beans, watermelon, pumpkin, sweet corn, basil, bok choy, borage, chayote, corn, Florence fennel, kiwano, luffa, moringa, Napa cabbage, okra, peanut, soybean | Pensacola |
| start indoors, plant out in June | Cucumber, melon, achocha | Pensacola |
| start indoors, plant out in August | Celeriac, celery | Pensacola |
Compared with April: no longer sown — arugula.
Not starting in May: lettuce (October, started indoors), peas (October, sown direct) and spinach (November, started indoors) — dates for Pensacola.
Ready to harvest in May in Pensacola, if sown in the right month: broad bean (February), peas (March), lettuce (March), cabbage (January), broccoli (February), Swiss chard (March), beet (March) and green beans (March).
How we work it out
For each city we use its average weather in May and the months after (highs, lows and rain for 2016–2025, ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo) and its average frost dates. A crop starts in May if the month's mean temperature reaches the minimum soil temperature for germination on its card (we use the mean air temperature as a stand-in for the soil's) and if, over its first months (up to three), the average highs stay within its group's range, with no frost for crops that cannot take it. Crops started indoors count from the month they are planted out.
Temperature groups from Colorado State University Extension: cool-season crops prefer 60–80 °F and lose quality in heat; hardy ones grow in days as cool as 40 °F, semi-hardy ones from 40–50 °F (we use 50 °F); warm-season crops need days above 55 °F, and the most tender (tomato, pepper, eggplant, melon, watermelon, squash) above 60 °F, up to 95 °F. Crops the guide does not name go into the stricter group by their frost hardiness. Fava (broad) beans, which the guide does not name, count as hardy: hardy varieties are sown in fall and overwinter (RHS). Garlic and bulbs: a month before the first frost, and later only while the ground is not frozen (as on each city's page).
Miami follows the UF/IFAS planting months for South Florida crop by crop (fall is the main season there); the other Florida cities follow the general rule.
This is a general rule from averages: your garden can be a week or two earlier or later, and a greenhouse or a cold frame brings the season forward. Greenly works out the dates for your location.
- Moon planting calendar for May 2027
- What to plant in May: all climates
- Gardening in the United States: guide by region
Other months in Florida
- What to plant in May in the Northeast and Midwest
- What to plant in May in the South
- What to plant in May in Texas
- What to plant in May in California
- What to plant in May in the Pacific Northwest
- What to plant in May in the Southwest
- What to plant in May in the Mountain West
- What to plant in May in Canada
- What to plant in May in the UK
- What to plant in May in Ireland
