My Planting Calendar

What to plant in May in California

In California (CA), May is the heart of the growing season - about 12 weeks after the last frost (February 20) and 29 weeks before the first (December 1). The state averages 284 frost-free days a year (last frost February 20, first frost December 1; USDA zones 5a, 6b, 7b, 8b, 9b, 10a, 10b).

9 crops have a sowing or planting window this month.

Dates here come from California frost dates (last frost Feb 20, first frost Dec 1). For one crop in detail, see when to plant tomato, lettuce or garlic in California.

Peak growing seasonSow or plant: 9Start indoors: 0Harvesting: 49

California 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.

California: planting activity through the year

70
83
63
9
9
9
3
9
29
20
2
25
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Frost riskFrost-free: Feb 20 – Dec 1
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 February (83).

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.

Cabbage · Mar 31 – May 10Basil · Apr 5 – May 5Broccoli · Apr 7 – May 2Cauliflower · Apr 7 – May 7Radicchio · Apr 7 – May 17Tarragon · Apr 14 – May 14Potato · Apr 17 – Jun 6Parsley · Apr 17 – May 7New Zealand Spinach · Apr 18 – May 8Fennel (Bulb) · Apr 19 – May 14Summer Savory · Apr 23 – May 8Mint · Apr 24 – May 14Lemon Balm · Apr 24 – May 14Cucumber · Apr 25 – May 15Okra · Apr 25 – May 10Tomato · Apr 28 – May 23Pole Bean · Apr 28 – May 8Sweet Corn · Apr 28 – Jun 7Sweet Marjoram · Apr 28 – May 18Onion · Apr 30 – May 30Shallot · Apr 30 – May 30Bitter Melon · Apr 30 – May 20Malabar Spinach · Apr 30 – May 15Endive & Escarole · May 2 – May 17Bell Pepper · May 5 – Jun 4Southern Pea (Cowpea) · May 5 – Jun 4Thyme · May 6 – May 21Sage · May 6 – May 21Brussels Sprouts · May 7 – Jun 6Ground Cherry · May 8 – May 28Sunflower · May 8 – Jun 7Shiso (Perilla) · May 8 – May 28Lima Bean · May 10 – Jun 9Cucamelon · May 10 – May 20Oregano · May 11 – May 21Edamame (Soybean) · May 13 – Jun 7Tomatillo · May 13 – Jun 7Chili Pepper · May 15 – Jun 14Cantaloupe / Muskmelon · May 15 – Jun 4Watermelon · May 15 – Jun 14Eggplant · May 17 – Jun 6Leek · May 17 – Jul 6Winter Squash · May 18 – Jun 17Parsnip · May 24 – Jun 23Salsify · May 27 – Jul 6Pumpkin · May 28 – Jun 27Rosemary · May 28 – Jun 27Celery · May 31 – Jul 10Celeriac · May 31 – Jun 20

Planting dates for popular crops in California

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

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

Peak growing season: May garden jobs in California

  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. 29 weeks until the average first frost (December 1). 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: cabbage, basil, broccoli, cauliflower should be coming in. Picking regularly keeps beans, squash and cucumbers producing.

USDA zone chart for California

California spans USDA zones 5a, 6b, 7b, 8b, 9b, 10a, 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 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 California 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 California in May?

Not too late - it's actually a little early. In California the next tomato window opens around December 26: start seeds indoors.

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

Not too late - it's actually a little early. In California the next lettuce window opens around September 26: sow for a fall crop.

When is the first frost in California?

The statewide average first fall frost is around December 1 and the last spring frost around February 20. California 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 California in May?

From plantings made on time: cabbage, basil, broccoli, cauliflower, radicchio, tarragon, potato, parsley, new zealand spinach, fennel (bulb).

← April in CaliforniaJune in California →Full-year California planting calendar →California frost dates →

What to plant in May in other states

AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaAll states →

Dates are computed from California’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.