My Planting Calendar

What to plant in May in Arizona

In Arizona (AZ), May is the heart of the growing season - about 9 weeks after the last frost (March 15) and 26 weeks before the first (November 15). The state averages 245 frost-free days a year (last frost March 15, first frost November 15; USDA zones 4b, 5b, 6b, 7b, 8b, 9b, 10b).

9 crops have a sowing or planting window this month.

Dates here come from Arizona frost dates (last frost Mar 15, first frost Nov 15). For one crop in detail, see when to plant tomato, lettuce or garlic in Arizona.

Peak growing seasonSow or plant: 9Start indoors: 0Harvesting: 43

Arizona covers a very wide range of climates, so dates near you can be two weeks or more either side of these. Enter your ZIP code in the planting calendar for dates tuned to your town.

Arizona: planting activity through the year

29
65
90
58
9
9
11
19
31
8
2
7
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Frost riskFrost-free: Mar 15 – Nov 15
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 (90).

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.

Cilantro / Coriander · Apr 15 – May 10Green Onion / Scallion · Apr 16 – May 6Collard Greens · Apr 18 – May 8Napa Cabbage · Apr 20 – May 15Amaranth (Leaf) · Apr 21 – May 11Cabbage · Apr 23 – Jun 2Carrot · Apr 23 – May 13Dill · Apr 24 – May 14Borage · Apr 25 – May 15Basil · Apr 28 – May 28Broccoli · Apr 30 – May 25Cauliflower · Apr 30 – May 30Radicchio · Apr 30 – Jun 9Fava Bean (Broad Bean) · May 1 – May 16Zucchini / Summer Squash · May 6 – May 21Tarragon · May 7 – Jun 6Potato · May 10 – Jun 29Parsley · May 10 – May 30Bush Bean · May 11 – May 21New Zealand Spinach · May 11 – May 31Fennel (Bulb) · May 12 – Jun 6Summer Savory · May 16 – May 31Mint · May 17 – Jun 6Lemon Balm · May 17 – Jun 6Cucumber · May 18 – Jun 7Okra · May 18 – Jun 2Tomato · May 21 – Jun 15Pole Bean · May 21 – May 31Sweet Corn · May 21 – Jun 30Sweet Marjoram · May 21 – Jun 10Onion · May 23 – Jun 22Shallot · May 23 – Jun 22Bitter Melon · May 23 – Jun 12Malabar Spinach · May 23 – Jun 7Endive & Escarole · May 25 – Jun 9Bell Pepper · May 28 – Jun 27Southern Pea (Cowpea) · May 28 – Jun 27Thyme · May 29 – Jun 13Sage · May 29 – Jun 13Brussels Sprouts · May 30 – Jun 29Ground Cherry · May 31 – Jun 20Sunflower · May 31 – Jun 30Shiso (Perilla) · May 31 – Jun 20

Planting dates for popular crops in Arizona

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

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

Peak growing season: May garden jobs in Arizona

  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. 26 weeks until the average first frost (November 15). 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: cilantro / coriander, green onion / scallion, collard greens, napa cabbage should be coming in. Picking regularly keeps beans, squash and cucumbers producing.

USDA zone chart for Arizona

Arizona spans USDA zones 4b, 5b, 6b, 7b, 8b, 9b, 10b. 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 4May 10Sep 25135 days
Zone 5Apr 30Oct 5160 days
Zone 6Apr 15Oct 15185 days
Zone 7Apr 5Oct 25200 days
Zone 8Mar 20Nov 5230 days
Zone 9Feb 20Nov 30280 days
Zone 10Jan 30Dec 15330 days

Questions gardeners ask

What vegetables can I plant in Arizona 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 Arizona in May?

For this year, yes - the tomato windows in Arizona have closed. The next step is to start seeds indoors from about January 18.

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

Not too late - it's actually a little early. In Arizona the next lettuce window opens around September 10: sow for a fall crop.

When is the first frost in Arizona?

The statewide average first fall frost is around November 15 and the last spring frost around March 15. Arizona covers a wide range of climates, so local dates can differ by two weeks or more - look yours up by ZIP code.

What can I harvest in Arizona in May?

From plantings made on time: cilantro / coriander, green onion / scallion, collard greens, napa cabbage, amaranth (leaf), cabbage, carrot, dill, borage, basil.

← April in ArizonaJune in Arizona →Full-year Arizona planting calendar →Arizona frost dates →

What to plant in May in other states

New MexicoAlabamaAlaskaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareAll states →

Dates are computed from Arizona’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.