What to plant in May in Arkansas
In Arkansas (AR), May is the heart of the growing season - about 6 weeks after the last frost (April 3) and 24 weeks before the first (November 1). The state averages 212 frost-free days a year (last frost April 3, first frost November 1; USDA zones 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a).
40 crops have a sowing or planting window this month, including basil, bitter melon, cantaloupe / muskmelon, chayote, cucamelon, cucumber - and 17 of those windows close during May.
Dates here come from Arkansas frost dates (last frost Apr 3, first frost Nov 1). For one crop in detail, see when to plant basil, cantaloupe or cucumber in Arkansas.
Arkansas: planting activity through the year
Last chance in May
Basil (direct sow (spring), by May 1) · Bitter Melon (direct sow (spring), by May 1) · Cantaloupe / Muskmelon (direct sow (spring), by May 1) · Chayote (direct sow (spring), by May 1) · Cucamelon (direct sow (spring), by May 1) · Cucumber (direct sow (spring), by May 1) · Lima Bean (direct sow (spring), by May 1) · Luffa (Loofah Gourd) (direct sow (spring), by May 1) · Malabar Spinach (direct sow (spring), by May 1) · Okra (direct sow (spring), by May 1) · Peanut (direct sow (spring), by May 1) · Southern Pea (Cowpea) (direct sow (spring), by May 1) · Watermelon (direct sow (spring), by May 1) · Eggplant (transplant outdoors, by May 4) · Ginger (transplant outdoors, by May 4) · Sweet Potato (transplant outdoors, by May 4) · Turmeric (transplant outdoors, by May 4)
Sow or plant outdoors in May (17)
Direct sowing and transplanting windows that fall in May, most urgent first. Windows are one-to-two-week bands around the ideal date.
| Crop | What to do | Window | This month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basil | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 12 – May 1 | Last chance - ends May 1 |
| Bitter Melon | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 12 – May 1 | Last chance - ends May 1 |
| Cantaloupe / Muskmelon | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 12 – May 1 | Last chance - ends May 1 |
| Chayote | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 12 – May 1 | Last chance - ends May 1 |
| Cucamelon | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 12 – May 1 | Last chance - ends May 1 |
| Cucumber | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 12 – May 1 | Last chance - ends May 1 |
| Lima Bean | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 12 – May 1 | Last chance - ends May 1 |
| Luffa (Loofah Gourd) | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 12 – May 1 | Last chance - ends May 1 |
| Malabar Spinach | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 12 – May 1 | Last chance - ends May 1 |
| Okra | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 12 – May 1 | Last chance - ends May 1 |
| Peanut | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 12 – May 1 | Last chance - ends May 1 |
| Southern Pea (Cowpea) | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 12 – May 1 | Last chance - ends May 1 |
| Watermelon | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 12 – May 1 | Last chance - ends May 1 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 17 – May 4 | Last chance - ends May 4 |
| Ginger | Transplant outdoors | Apr 17 – May 4 | Last chance - ends May 4 |
| Sweet Potato | Transplant outdoors | Apr 17 – May 4 | Last chance - ends May 4 |
| Turmeric | Transplant outdoors | Apr 17 – May 4 | Last chance - ends May 4 |
Keep sowing (succession)
Repeat sowings of crops already in the ground, for a steady harvest instead of a glut.
- Zucchini / Summer Squash: sow again on May 8
- Bush Bean: sow again on May 8 and May 22
- Lettuce: sow again on May 7
- Carrot: sow again on May 6
- Radish: sow again on May 5
- Sweet Corn: sow again on May 8 and May 22
- Arugula: sow again on May 5
- Turnip: sow again on May 8
- Kohlrabi: sow again on May 8
- Bok Choy / Pak Choi: sow again on May 1
- Mustard Greens: sow again on May 8
- Green Onion / Scallion: sow again on May 8
- Fennel (Bulb): sow again on May 8
- Endive & Escarole: sow again on May 1
- Mache (Corn Salad): sow again on May 8
- Edamame (Soybean): sow again on May 8 and May 22
- Sunflower: sow again on May 8 and May 22
- Rapini (Broccoli Raab): sow again on May 8
- Tatsoi: sow again on May 5
- Mizuna: sow again on May 5
- Amaranth (Leaf): sow again on May 8 and May 22
- Chervil: sow again on May 8
- Watercress: sow again on May 1
Harvesting in May
First harvests expected this month from crops sown or planted on time earlier in the season.
Planting dates for popular crops in Arkansas
Every crop has its own full-year dates for Arkansas: indoor start, transplant or direct sowing, and harvest.
Peak growing season: May garden jobs in Arkansas
- 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.
- 24 weeks until the average first frost (November 1). Plan the fall garden now - most fall crops are sown 8-12 weeks before first frost. See the fall and winter garden guide.
- Check the undersides of leaves twice a week - catching pests early is most of the battle (pest identification guide).
- Harvest often: lettuce, turnip, rapini (broccoli raab), chervil should be coming in. Picking regularly keeps beans, squash and cucumbers producing.
USDA zone chart for Arkansas
Arkansas spans USDA zones 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a. Colder zones, usually higher or further inland, have a later last spring frost and an earlier first fall frost than the state average.
Questions gardeners ask
What vegetables can I plant in Arkansas in May?
40 crops have a window in May: basil, bitter melon, cantaloupe / muskmelon, chayote, cucamelon, cucumber, lima bean, luffa (loofah gourd), malabar spinach, okra and more. The tables above give the exact dates for each.
Is it too late to plant tomatoes in Arkansas in May?
For this year, yes - the tomato windows in Arkansas have closed. The next step is to start seeds indoors from about February 6.
Is it too late to plant lettuce in Arkansas in May?
Not too late - it's actually a little early. In Arkansas the next lettuce window opens around August 27: sow for a fall crop.
When is the first frost in Arkansas?
The statewide average first fall frost is around November 1 and the last spring frost around April 3. Your town can be a week or two either side - look yours up by ZIP code.
What can I harvest in Arkansas in May?
From plantings made on time: lettuce, turnip, rapini (broccoli raab), chervil, pea, bok choy / pak choi, beet, kohlrabi, kale, cilantro / coriander.
What to plant in May in other states
Dates are computed from Arkansas’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.