What to plant in May in Kentucky
In Kentucky (KY), May comes about 4 weeks after the average last frost (April 18). The state averages 185 frost-free days a year (last frost April 18, first frost October 20; USDA zones 6a, 6b, 7a).
58 crops have a sowing or planting window this month, including dill, sunflower, ground cherry, new zealand spinach, peanut, pumpkin - and 51 of those windows close during May.
Dates here come from Kentucky frost dates (last frost Apr 18, first frost Oct 20). For one crop in detail, see when to plant pumpkin, tomato or winter squash in Kentucky.
Kentucky: planting activity through the year
Last chance in May
Dill (direct sow (spring), by May 2) · Sunflower (direct sow (spring), by May 2) · Ground Cherry (transplant outdoors, by May 5) · New Zealand Spinach (transplant outdoors, by May 5) · Peanut (transplant outdoors, by May 5) · Pumpkin (transplant outdoors, by May 5) · Rosemary (transplant outdoors, by May 5) · Shiso (Perilla) (transplant outdoors, by May 5) · Summer Savory (transplant outdoors, by May 5) · Sunflower (transplant outdoors, by May 5) · Sweet Marjoram (transplant outdoors, by May 5) · Tomatillo (transplant outdoors, by May 5) · Tomato (transplant outdoors, by May 5) · Winter Squash (transplant outdoors, by May 5) · Zucchini / Summer Squash (transplant outdoors, by May 5) · Amaranth (Leaf) (direct sow (spring), by May 9) · Bush Bean (direct sow (spring), by May 9) · Edamame (Soybean) (direct sow (spring), by May 9) · New Zealand Spinach (direct sow (spring), by May 9) · Pole Bean (direct sow (spring), by May 9) · Pumpkin (direct sow (spring), by May 9) · Shiso (Perilla) (direct sow (spring), by May 9) · Summer Savory (direct sow (spring), by May 9) · Sweet Corn (direct sow (spring), by May 9) · Sweet Marjoram (direct sow (spring), by May 9) · Winter Squash (direct sow (spring), by May 9) · Zucchini / Summer Squash (direct sow (spring), by May 9) · Basil (transplant outdoors, by May 12) · Bell Pepper (transplant outdoors, by May 12) · Bitter Melon (transplant outdoors, by May 12) · Cantaloupe / Muskmelon (transplant outdoors, by May 12) · Chili Pepper (transplant outdoors, by May 12) · Cucamelon (transplant outdoors, by May 12) · Cucumber (transplant outdoors, by May 12) · Luffa (Loofah Gourd) (transplant outdoors, by May 12) · Malabar Spinach (transplant outdoors, by May 12) · Okra (transplant outdoors, by May 12) · Watermelon (transplant outdoors, by May 12) · Basil (direct sow (spring), by May 16) · Bitter Melon (direct sow (spring), by May 16) · Cantaloupe / Muskmelon (direct sow (spring), by May 16) · Chayote (direct sow (spring), by May 16) · Cucamelon (direct sow (spring), by May 16) · Cucumber (direct sow (spring), by May 16) · Lima Bean (direct sow (spring), by May 16) · Luffa (Loofah Gourd) (direct sow (spring), by May 16) · Malabar Spinach (direct sow (spring), by May 16) · Okra (direct sow (spring), by May 16) · Peanut (direct sow (spring), by May 16) · Southern Pea (Cowpea) (direct sow (spring), by May 16) · Watermelon (direct sow (spring), by May 16)
Sow or plant outdoors in May (55)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dill | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 13 – May 2 | Last chance - ends May 2 |
| Sunflower | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 13 – May 2 | Last chance - ends May 2 |
| Ground Cherry | Transplant outdoors | Apr 18 – May 5 | Last chance - ends May 5 |
| New Zealand Spinach | Transplant outdoors | Apr 18 – May 5 | Last chance - ends May 5 |
| Peanut | Transplant outdoors | Apr 18 – May 5 | Last chance - ends May 5 |
| Pumpkin | Transplant outdoors | Apr 18 – May 5 | Last chance - ends May 5 |
| Rosemary | Transplant outdoors | Apr 18 – May 5 | Last chance - ends May 5 |
| Shiso (Perilla) | Transplant outdoors | Apr 18 – May 5 | Last chance - ends May 5 |
| Summer Savory | Transplant outdoors | Apr 18 – May 5 | Last chance - ends May 5 |
| Sunflower | Transplant outdoors | Apr 18 – May 5 | Last chance - ends May 5 |
| Sweet Marjoram | Transplant outdoors | Apr 18 – May 5 | Last chance - ends May 5 |
| Tomatillo | Transplant outdoors | Apr 18 – May 5 | Last chance - ends May 5 |
| Tomato | Transplant outdoors | Apr 18 – May 5 | Last chance - ends May 5 |
| Winter Squash | Transplant outdoors | Apr 18 – May 5 | Last chance - ends May 5 |
| Zucchini / Summer Squash | Transplant outdoors | Apr 18 – May 5 | Last chance - ends May 5 |
| Amaranth (Leaf) | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 20 – May 9 | Last chance - ends May 9 |
| Bush Bean | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 20 – May 9 | Last chance - ends May 9 |
| Edamame (Soybean) | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 20 – May 9 | Last chance - ends May 9 |
| New Zealand Spinach | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 20 – May 9 | Last chance - ends May 9 |
| Pole Bean | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 20 – May 9 | Last chance - ends May 9 |
| Pumpkin | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 20 – May 9 | Last chance - ends May 9 |
| Shiso (Perilla) | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 20 – May 9 | Last chance - ends May 9 |
| Summer Savory | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 20 – May 9 | Last chance - ends May 9 |
| Sweet Corn | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 20 – May 9 | Last chance - ends May 9 |
| Sweet Marjoram | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 20 – May 9 | Last chance - ends May 9 |
| Winter Squash | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 20 – May 9 | Last chance - ends May 9 |
| Zucchini / Summer Squash | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 20 – May 9 | Last chance - ends May 9 |
| Basil | Transplant outdoors | Apr 25 – May 12 | Last chance - ends May 12 |
| Bell Pepper | Transplant outdoors | Apr 25 – May 12 | Last chance - ends May 12 |
| Bitter Melon | Transplant outdoors | Apr 25 – May 12 | Last chance - ends May 12 |
| Cantaloupe / Muskmelon | Transplant outdoors | Apr 25 – May 12 | Last chance - ends May 12 |
| Chili Pepper | Transplant outdoors | Apr 25 – May 12 | Last chance - ends May 12 |
| Cucamelon | Transplant outdoors | Apr 25 – May 12 | Last chance - ends May 12 |
| Cucumber | Transplant outdoors | Apr 25 – May 12 | Last chance - ends May 12 |
| Luffa (Loofah Gourd) | Transplant outdoors | Apr 25 – May 12 | Last chance - ends May 12 |
| Malabar Spinach | Transplant outdoors | Apr 25 – May 12 | Last chance - ends May 12 |
| Okra | Transplant outdoors | Apr 25 – May 12 | Last chance - ends May 12 |
| Watermelon | Transplant outdoors | Apr 25 – May 12 | Last chance - ends May 12 |
| Basil | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 27 – May 16 | Last chance - ends May 16 |
| Bitter Melon | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 27 – May 16 | Last chance - ends May 16 |
| Cantaloupe / Muskmelon | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 27 – May 16 | Last chance - ends May 16 |
| Chayote | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 27 – May 16 | Last chance - ends May 16 |
| Cucamelon | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 27 – May 16 | Last chance - ends May 16 |
| Cucumber | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 27 – May 16 | Last chance - ends May 16 |
| Lima Bean | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 27 – May 16 | Last chance - ends May 16 |
| Luffa (Loofah Gourd) | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 27 – May 16 | Last chance - ends May 16 |
| Malabar Spinach | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 27 – May 16 | Last chance - ends May 16 |
| Okra | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 27 – May 16 | Last chance - ends May 16 |
| Peanut | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 27 – May 16 | Last chance - ends May 16 |
| Southern Pea (Cowpea) | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 27 – May 16 | Last chance - ends May 16 |
| Watermelon | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 27 – May 16 | Last chance - ends May 16 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 2 – May 19 | May 2 – May 19 |
| Ginger | Transplant outdoors | May 2 – May 19 | May 2 – May 19 |
| Sweet Potato | Transplant outdoors | May 2 – May 19 | May 2 – May 19 |
| Turmeric | Transplant outdoors | May 2 – May 19 | May 2 – May 19 |
Keep sowing (succession)
Repeat sowings of crops already in the ground, for a steady harvest instead of a glut.
- Pea: sow again on May 1 and May 13
- Lettuce: sow again on May 10 and May 22
- Spinach: sow again on May 1 and May 13
- Carrot: sow again on May 3 and May 21
- Beet: sow again on May 14
- Radish: sow again on May 10 and May 20
- Cilantro / Coriander: sow again on May 10
- Arugula: sow again on May 8 and May 20
- Turnip: sow again on May 9 and May 23
- Kohlrabi: sow again on May 9 and May 23
- Bok Choy / Pak Choi: sow again on May 2 and May 16
- Mustard Greens: sow again on May 9 and May 23
- Green Onion / Scallion: sow again on May 2 and May 23
- Fennel (Bulb): sow again on May 2 and May 23
- Endive & Escarole: sow again on May 2 and May 16
- Mache (Corn Salad): sow again on May 9 and May 23
- Rapini (Broccoli Raab): sow again on May 9 and May 23
- Tatsoi: sow again on May 8 and May 20
- Mizuna: sow again on May 8 and May 20
- Chervil: sow again on May 9 and May 23
- Watercress: sow again on May 16
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 Kentucky
Every crop has its own full-year dates for Kentucky: indoor start, transplant or direct sowing, and harvest.
Main planting month: May garden jobs in Kentucky
- With the average last frost on April 18, 37 crops can go in outdoors this month, including dill, sunflower, ground cherry, new zealand spinach.
- Transplant on a cloudy afternoon and water in well - see transplanting seedlings without shock.
- Once the soil has warmed, lay mulch around established plants to hold moisture and smother weeds.
- Sow quick crops little and often - lettuce, radish and beans every two to three weeks give a steady harvest instead of a glut (succession planting).
USDA zone chart for Kentucky
Kentucky spans USDA zones 6a, 6b, 7a. 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 Kentucky in May?
58 crops have a window in May: dill, sunflower, ground cherry, new zealand spinach, peanut, pumpkin, rosemary, shiso (perilla), summer savory, sweet marjoram and more. The tables above give the exact dates for each.
Is it too late to plant tomatoes in Kentucky in May?
No - transplant outdoors runs Apr 18 – May 5 in Kentucky, so do it before May 5.
Is it too late to plant lettuce in Kentucky in May?
Not too late - it's actually a little early. In Kentucky the next lettuce window opens around August 15: sow for a fall crop.
When is the first frost in Kentucky?
The statewide average first fall frost is around October 20 and the last spring frost around April 18. Your town can be a week or two either side - look yours up by ZIP code.
What can I harvest in Kentucky in May?
From plantings made on time: tatsoi, mizuna, mustard greens, mache (corn salad), lettuce, turnip, rapini (broccoli raab), chervil, pea, bok choy / pak choi.
What to plant in May in other states
Dates are computed from Kentucky’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.