My Planting Calendar

What to plant in May in Florida

In Florida (FL), May is the heart of the growing season - about 13 weeks after the last frost (February 12) and 30 weeks before the first (December 10). The state averages 301 frost-free days a year (last frost February 12, first frost December 10; USDA zones 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a).

9 crops have a sowing or planting window this month.

Dates here come from Florida frost dates (last frost Feb 12, first frost Dec 10). For one crop in detail, see when to plant tomato, lettuce or garlic in Florida.

Peak growing seasonSow or plant: 9Start indoors: 0Harvesting: 44

Florida 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.

Florida: planting activity through the year

70
89
58
9
9
9
3
8
19
31
8
30
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Frost riskFrost-free: Feb 12 – Dec 10
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 (89).

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 23 – May 2Radicchio · Mar 30 – May 9Tarragon · Apr 6 – May 6Potato · Apr 9 – May 29Fennel (Bulb) · Apr 11 – May 6Mint · Apr 16 – May 6Lemon Balm · Apr 16 – May 6Cucumber · Apr 17 – May 7Okra · Apr 17 – May 2Tomato · Apr 20 – May 15Sweet Corn · Apr 20 – May 30Sweet Marjoram · Apr 20 – May 10Onion · Apr 22 – May 22Shallot · Apr 22 – May 22Bitter Melon · Apr 22 – May 12Malabar Spinach · Apr 22 – May 7Endive & Escarole · Apr 24 – May 9Bell Pepper · Apr 27 – May 27Southern Pea (Cowpea) · Apr 27 – May 27Thyme · Apr 28 – May 13Sage · Apr 28 – May 13Brussels Sprouts · Apr 29 – May 29Ground Cherry · Apr 30 – May 20Sunflower · Apr 30 – May 30Shiso (Perilla) · Apr 30 – May 20Lima Bean · May 2 – Jun 1Cucamelon · May 2 – May 12Oregano · May 3 – May 13Edamame (Soybean) · May 5 – May 30Tomatillo · May 5 – May 30Chili Pepper · May 7 – Jun 6Cantaloupe / Muskmelon · May 7 – May 27Watermelon · May 7 – Jun 6Eggplant · May 9 – May 29Leek · May 9 – Jun 28Winter Squash · May 10 – Jun 9Parsnip · May 16 – Jun 15Salsify · May 19 – Jun 28Pumpkin · May 20 – Jun 19Rosemary · May 20 – Jun 19Celery · May 23 – Jul 2Celeriac · May 23 – Jun 12Luffa (Loofah Gourd) · May 27 – Jul 26Peanut · May 30 – Jul 19

Planting dates for popular crops in Florida

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

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

Peak growing season: May garden jobs in Florida

  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. 30 weeks until the average first frost (December 10). 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, radicchio, tarragon, potato should be coming in. Picking regularly keeps beans, squash and cucumbers producing.

USDA zone chart for Florida

Florida spans USDA zones 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a. 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 8Mar 20Nov 5230 days
Zone 9Feb 20Nov 30280 days
Zone 10Jan 30Dec 15330 days

Questions gardeners ask

What vegetables can I plant in Florida 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 Florida in May?

Not too late - it's actually a little early. In Florida the next tomato window opens around December 18: start seeds indoors.

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

Not too late - it's actually a little early. In Florida the next lettuce window opens around October 5: sow for a fall crop.

When is the first frost in Florida?

The statewide average first fall frost is around December 10 and the last spring frost around February 12. Florida 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 Florida in May?

From plantings made on time: cabbage, radicchio, tarragon, potato, fennel (bulb), mint, lemon balm, cucumber, okra, tomato.

← April in FloridaJune in Florida →Full-year Florida planting calendar →Florida frost dates →

What to plant in May in other states

AlabamaArkansasLouisianaMississippiAlaskaArizonaCaliforniaColoradoAll states →

Dates are computed from Florida’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.