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What to plant in May in the South

Worked out for 46 cities from their own weather and frost dates, by zone.

What to sow and plant in May in the South, by zone: frost-free, highs above 82 °F (New Orleans, Montgomery and 8 more): tomato, bell pepper, zucchini, green beans, cucumber and 22 more; frost-free, highs of 72–82 °F (Washington, D.C., Atlanta and 32 more): tomato, bell pepper, zucchini, green beans, cucumber and 23 more; frost-free, highs of 61–72 °F (Baltimore and Morgantown): peas, beet, tomato, bell pepper, zucchini and 29 more.

In the South, May is spring.

Frost-free, highs above 82 °F: New Orleans, Montgomery, Baton Rouge, Jackson and 6 more

In May, on average, these cities have highs of 83 to 85 °F and lows of 62 to 70 °F, 3.6 to 6.2 in of rain on 10 to 14 days; the day lasts 13 h 39 min to 13 h 57 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.

HowWhatWhere
start indoors, plant out in JulyTomato, bell pepper, eggplant, chili pepperNew Orleans, Montgomery, Baton Rouge and 6 more
sow directZucchini, green beans, basil, bok choy, borageall
start indoors, plant out in JuneCucumber, melon, achochaNew Orleans, Montgomery, Baton Rouge and 6 more
sow directWatermelon, pumpkin, sweet corn, chayote, corn, Florence fennel, kiwano, luffa, moringa, Napa cabbage, okra, peanut, soybeanNew Orleans, Montgomery, Baton Rouge and 6 more
start indoors, plant out in AugustCeleriac, celeryNew Orleans, Montgomery, Baton Rouge and 6 more

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 Mobile.

Ready to harvest in May in Mobile, 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: Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Nashville, Charlotte and 30 more

In May, on average, these cities have highs of 72 to 82 °F and lows of 53 to 68 °F, 3.7 to 6.7 in of rain on 12 to 17 days; the day lasts 13 h 40 min to 14 h 20 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.

HowWhatWhere
start indoors, plant out in JulyTomato, bell pepper, eggplant, chili pepperall
sow direct or start indoors, plant out in JuneZucchini, watermelon, pumpkin, basil, luffa, okra, peanutall
sow directGreen Beans, sweet corn, bok choy, borage, chayote, corn, Florence fennel, kiwano, Napa cabbageall
start indoors, plant out in JuneCucumber, melon, achochaall
start indoors, plant out in AugustCeleriac, celeryall
start indoors, plant out in July or sow directMoringaall
sow directSoybeanWashington, D.C., Atlanta, Nashville and 28 more
sow directArugulaWashington, D.C., Atlanta, Nashville and 23 more

Compared with April: no longer sown — peas, lettuce, radish, Swiss chard, beet, parsley, cilantro, chamomile and 3 more.

Not starting in May: lettuce (October, sown direct), peas (October, sown direct) and spinach (October, started indoors) — dates for Nashville.

Ready to harvest in May in Nashville, if sown in the right month: broad bean (February), peas (March), lettuce (March), radish (April), broccoli (February), Swiss chard (March), beet (March) and parsley (March).

Frost-free, highs of 61–72 °F: Baltimore and Morgantown

In May, on average, these cities have highs of 71 °F and lows of 53 to 57 °F, 5.6 to 6.4 in of rain on 14 to 17 days; the day lasts 14 h 19 min to 14 h 21 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.

HowWhatWhere
sow directPeas, beet, parsley, cilantro, chamomile, dill, mustard greensMorgantown
start indoors, plant out in JulyTomato, bell pepper, eggplant, chili pepper, moringaall
start indoors, plant out in JuneZucchini, cucumber, melon, watermelon, pumpkin, basil, achocha, luffa, okra, peanutall
sow directGreen Beans, sweet corn, arugula, bok choy, borage, chayote, corn, Florence fennel, kiwano, Napa cabbageall
start indoors, plant out in AugustCeleriac, celeryall

Compared with April: new — green beans; no longer sown — broad bean, onion, lettuce, radish, cabbage, Swiss chard, kohlrabi, chickpea and 1 more.

Not starting in May: lettuce (September, started indoors) and spinach (September, started indoors) — dates for Baltimore.

Ready to harvest in May in Baltimore, if sown in the right month: peas (March), spinach (March), lettuce (March), radish (April), carrot (March), Swiss chard (March), beet (March) and arugula (April).

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).

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.

Other months in the South