My Planting Calendar

What to plant in May in Alabama

In Alabama (AL), May is the heart of the growing season - about 7 weeks after the last frost (March 25) and 25 weeks before the first (November 5). The state averages 225 frost-free days a year (last frost March 25, first frost November 5; USDA zones 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a).

9 crops have a sowing or planting window this month.

Dates here come from Alabama frost dates (last frost Mar 25, first frost Nov 5). For one crop in detail, see when to plant tomato, lettuce or garlic in Alabama.

Peak growing seasonSow or plant: 9Start indoors: 0Harvesting: 39

Alabama: planting activity through the year

24
65
78
66
9
9
14
30
28
3
2
2
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Frost riskFrost-free: Mar 25 – Nov 5
Bars count the vegetables, herbs and fruit with a sowing or planting window in each month, from the state’s average frost dates. 9 have one in May; the busiest month is March (78).

Keep sowing (succession)

Repeat sowings of crops already in the ground, for a steady harvest instead of a glut.

Harvesting in May

First harvests expected this month from crops sown or planted on time earlier in the season.

Lettuce · Apr 10 – May 10Turnip · Apr 13 – May 3Rapini (Broccoli Raab) · Apr 13 – May 3Chervil · Apr 13 – May 3Beet · Apr 16 – May 6Kohlrabi · Apr 18 – May 3Kale · Apr 23 – May 8Cilantro / Coriander · Apr 25 – May 20Green Onion / Scallion · Apr 26 – May 16Collard Greens · Apr 28 – May 18Swiss Chard · Apr 30 – May 10Napa Cabbage · Apr 30 – May 25Watercress · Apr 30 – May 10Amaranth (Leaf) · May 1 – May 21Cabbage · May 3 – Jun 12Carrot · May 3 – May 23Dill · May 4 – May 24Borage · May 5 – May 25Basil · May 8 – Jun 7Broccoli · May 10 – Jun 4Cauliflower · May 10 – Jun 9Radicchio · May 10 – Jun 19Fava Bean (Broad Bean) · May 11 – May 26Zucchini / Summer Squash · May 16 – May 31Tarragon · May 17 – Jun 16Potato · May 20 – Jul 9Parsley · May 20 – Jun 9Bush Bean · May 21 – May 31New Zealand Spinach · May 21 – Jun 10Fennel (Bulb) · May 22 – Jun 16Summer Savory · May 26 – Jun 10Mint · May 27 – Jun 16Lemon Balm · May 27 – Jun 16Cucumber · May 28 – Jun 17Okra · May 28 – Jun 12Tomato · May 31 – Jun 25Pole Bean · May 31 – Jun 10Sweet Corn · May 31 – Jul 10Sweet Marjoram · May 31 – Jun 20

Planting dates for popular crops in Alabama

Every crop has its own full-year dates for Alabama: indoor start, transplant or direct sowing, and harvest.

When to plant tomato in Alabama →When to plant lettuce in Alabama →When to plant garlic in Alabama →When to plant bell pepper in Alabama →When to plant carrot in Alabama →When to plant onion in Alabama →When to plant pea in Alabama →When to plant spinach in Alabama →Alabama frost dates by zone →

Peak growing season: May garden jobs in Alabama

  1. Water deeply two or three times a week rather than a little every day - about an inch a week, more in heat. See watering a vegetable garden.
  2. 25 weeks until the average first frost (November 5). Plan the fall garden now - most fall crops are sown 8-12 weeks before first frost. See the fall and winter garden guide.
  3. Check the undersides of leaves twice a week - catching pests early is most of the battle (pest identification guide).
  4. Harvest often: lettuce, turnip, rapini (broccoli raab), chervil should be coming in. Picking regularly keeps beans, squash and cucumbers producing.

USDA zone chart for Alabama

Alabama spans USDA zones 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a. Colder zones, usually higher or further inland, have a later last spring frost and an earlier first fall frost than the state average.

ZoneLast frostFirst frostSeason
Zone 7Apr 5Oct 25200 days
Zone 8Mar 20Nov 5230 days
Zone 9Feb 20Nov 30280 days

Questions gardeners ask

What vegetables can I plant in Alabama in May?

9 crops have a window in May: . The tables above give the exact dates for each.

Is it too late to plant tomatoes in Alabama in May?

For this year, yes - the tomato windows in Alabama have closed. The next step is to start seeds indoors from about January 28.

Is it too late to plant lettuce in Alabama in May?

Not too late - it's actually a little early. In Alabama the next lettuce window opens around August 31: sow for a fall crop.

When is the first frost in Alabama?

The statewide average first fall frost is around November 5 and the last spring frost around March 25. Your town can be a week or two either side - look yours up by ZIP code.

What can I harvest in Alabama in May?

From plantings made on time: lettuce, turnip, rapini (broccoli raab), chervil, beet, kohlrabi, kale, cilantro / coriander, green onion / scallion, collard greens.

← April in AlabamaJune in Alabama →Full-year Alabama planting calendar →Alabama frost dates →

What to plant in May in other states

ArkansasFloridaLouisianaMississippiAlaskaArizonaCaliforniaColoradoAll states →

Dates are computed from Alabama’s statewide average frost dates (from NOAA/NCEI climate normals) and each crop’s timing in our crop database. Your garden may be a week or two either side - for dates tuned to your ZIP code, use the planting calendar.