My Planting Calendar

What to plant in May in Louisiana

In Louisiana (LA), May is the heart of the growing season - about 10 weeks after the last frost (March 5) and 26 weeks before the first (November 15). The state averages 255 frost-free days a year (last frost March 5, first frost November 15; USDA zones 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b).

9 crops have a sowing or planting window this month.

Dates here come from Louisiana frost dates (last frost Mar 5, first frost Nov 15). For one crop in detail, see when to plant tomato, lettuce or garlic in Louisiana.

Peak growing seasonSow or plant: 9Start indoors: 0Harvesting: 51

Louisiana: planting activity through the year

56
70
84
40
9
9
11
19
31
8
2
9
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Frost riskFrost-free: Mar 5 – 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 (84).

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.

Napa Cabbage · Apr 10 – May 5Amaranth (Leaf) · Apr 11 – May 1Cabbage · Apr 13 – May 23Carrot · Apr 13 – May 3Dill · Apr 14 – May 4Borage · Apr 15 – May 5Basil · Apr 18 – May 18Broccoli · Apr 20 – May 15Cauliflower · Apr 20 – May 20Radicchio · Apr 20 – May 30Fava Bean (Broad Bean) · Apr 21 – May 6Zucchini / Summer Squash · Apr 26 – May 11Tarragon · Apr 27 – May 27Potato · Apr 30 – Jun 19Parsley · Apr 30 – May 20Bush Bean · May 1 – May 11New Zealand Spinach · May 1 – May 21Fennel (Bulb) · May 2 – May 27Summer Savory · May 6 – May 21Mint · May 7 – May 27Lemon Balm · May 7 – May 27Cucumber · May 8 – May 28Okra · May 8 – May 23Tomato · May 11 – Jun 5Pole Bean · May 11 – May 21Sweet Corn · May 11 – Jun 20Sweet Marjoram · May 11 – May 31Onion · May 13 – Jun 12Shallot · May 13 – Jun 12Bitter Melon · May 13 – Jun 2Malabar Spinach · May 13 – May 28Endive & Escarole · May 15 – May 30Bell Pepper · May 18 – Jun 17Southern Pea (Cowpea) · May 18 – Jun 17Thyme · May 19 – Jun 3Sage · May 19 – Jun 3Brussels Sprouts · May 20 – Jun 19Ground Cherry · May 21 – Jun 10Sunflower · May 21 – Jun 20Shiso (Perilla) · May 21 – Jun 10Lima Bean · May 23 – Jun 22Cucamelon · May 23 – Jun 2Oregano · May 24 – Jun 3Edamame (Soybean) · May 26 – Jun 20Tomatillo · May 26 – Jun 20Chili Pepper · May 28 – Jun 27Cantaloupe / Muskmelon · May 28 – Jun 17Watermelon · May 28 – Jun 27Eggplant · May 30 – Jun 19Leek · May 30 – Jul 19Winter Squash · May 31 – Jun 30

Planting dates for popular crops in Louisiana

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

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

Peak growing season: May garden jobs in Louisiana

  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: napa cabbage, amaranth (leaf), cabbage, carrot should be coming in. Picking regularly keeps beans, squash and cucumbers producing.

USDA zone chart for Louisiana

Louisiana spans USDA zones 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b. 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

Questions gardeners ask

What vegetables can I plant in Louisiana 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 Louisiana in May?

For this year, yes - the tomato windows in Louisiana have closed. The next step is to start seeds indoors from about January 8.

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

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

When is the first frost in Louisiana?

The statewide average first fall frost is around November 15 and the last spring frost around March 5. Your town can be a week or two either side - look yours up by ZIP code.

What can I harvest in Louisiana in May?

From plantings made on time: napa cabbage, amaranth (leaf), cabbage, carrot, dill, borage, basil, broccoli, cauliflower, radicchio.

← April in LouisianaJune in Louisiana →Full-year Louisiana planting calendar →Louisiana frost dates →

What to plant in May in other states

AlabamaArkansasFloridaMississippiAlaskaArizonaCaliforniaColoradoAll states →

Dates are computed from Louisiana’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.