What to plant in May in Massachusetts
In Massachusetts (MA), May comes about 3 weeks after the average last frost (April 24). The state averages 173 frost-free days a year (last frost April 24, first frost October 14; USDA zones 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a).
66 crops have a sowing or planting window this month, including fennel (bulb), lemon balm, parsnip, swiss chard, celeriac, celery - and 36 of those windows close during May.
Dates here come from Massachusetts frost dates (last frost Apr 24, first frost Oct 14). For one crop in detail, see when to plant swiss chard, pumpkin or tomato in Massachusetts.
Massachusetts: planting activity through the year
Last chance in May
Fennel (Bulb) (direct sow (spring), by May 1) · Lemon Balm (direct sow (spring), by May 1) · Parsnip (direct sow (spring), by May 1) · Swiss Chard (direct sow (spring), by May 1) · Celeriac (transplant outdoors, by May 4) · Celery (transplant outdoors, by May 4) · Oregano (transplant outdoors, by May 4) · Sage (transplant outdoors, by May 4) · Thyme (transplant outdoors, by May 4) · Dill (direct sow (spring), by May 8) · Sunflower (direct sow (spring), by May 8) · Ground Cherry (transplant outdoors, by May 11) · New Zealand Spinach (transplant outdoors, by May 11) · Peanut (transplant outdoors, by May 11) · Pumpkin (transplant outdoors, by May 11) · Rosemary (transplant outdoors, by May 11) · Shiso (Perilla) (transplant outdoors, by May 11) · Summer Savory (transplant outdoors, by May 11) · Sunflower (transplant outdoors, by May 11) · Sweet Marjoram (transplant outdoors, by May 11) · Tomatillo (transplant outdoors, by May 11) · Tomato (transplant outdoors, by May 11) · Winter Squash (transplant outdoors, by May 11) · Zucchini / Summer Squash (transplant outdoors, by May 11) · Amaranth (Leaf) (direct sow (spring), by May 15) · Bush Bean (direct sow (spring), by May 15) · Edamame (Soybean) (direct sow (spring), by May 15) · New Zealand Spinach (direct sow (spring), by May 15) · Pole Bean (direct sow (spring), by May 15) · Pumpkin (direct sow (spring), by May 15) · Shiso (Perilla) (direct sow (spring), by May 15) · Summer Savory (direct sow (spring), by May 15) · Sweet Corn (direct sow (spring), by May 15) · Sweet Marjoram (direct sow (spring), by May 15) · Winter Squash (direct sow (spring), by May 15) · Zucchini / Summer Squash (direct sow (spring), by May 15)
Sow or plant outdoors in May (64)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fennel (Bulb) | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 12 – May 1 | Last chance - ends May 1 |
| Lemon Balm | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 12 – May 1 | Last chance - ends May 1 |
| Parsnip | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 12 – May 1 | Last chance - ends May 1 |
| Swiss Chard | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 12 – May 1 | Last chance - ends May 1 |
| Celeriac | Transplant outdoors | Apr 17 – May 4 | Last chance - ends May 4 |
| Celery | Transplant outdoors | Apr 17 – May 4 | Last chance - ends May 4 |
| Oregano | Transplant outdoors | Apr 17 – May 4 | Last chance - ends May 4 |
| Sage | Transplant outdoors | Apr 17 – May 4 | Last chance - ends May 4 |
| Thyme | Transplant outdoors | Apr 17 – May 4 | Last chance - ends May 4 |
| Dill | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 19 – May 8 | Last chance - ends May 8 |
| Sunflower | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 19 – May 8 | Last chance - ends May 8 |
| Ground Cherry | Transplant outdoors | Apr 24 – May 11 | Last chance - ends May 11 |
| New Zealand Spinach | Transplant outdoors | Apr 24 – May 11 | Last chance - ends May 11 |
| Peanut | Transplant outdoors | Apr 24 – May 11 | Last chance - ends May 11 |
| Pumpkin | Transplant outdoors | Apr 24 – May 11 | Last chance - ends May 11 |
| Rosemary | Transplant outdoors | Apr 24 – May 11 | Last chance - ends May 11 |
| Shiso (Perilla) | Transplant outdoors | Apr 24 – May 11 | Last chance - ends May 11 |
| Summer Savory | Transplant outdoors | Apr 24 – May 11 | Last chance - ends May 11 |
| Sunflower | Transplant outdoors | Apr 24 – May 11 | Last chance - ends May 11 |
| Sweet Marjoram | Transplant outdoors | Apr 24 – May 11 | Last chance - ends May 11 |
| Tomatillo | Transplant outdoors | Apr 24 – May 11 | Last chance - ends May 11 |
| Tomato | Transplant outdoors | Apr 24 – May 11 | Last chance - ends May 11 |
| Winter Squash | Transplant outdoors | Apr 24 – May 11 | Last chance - ends May 11 |
| Zucchini / Summer Squash | Transplant outdoors | Apr 24 – May 11 | Last chance - ends May 11 |
| Amaranth (Leaf) | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 26 – May 15 | Last chance - ends May 15 |
| Bush Bean | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 26 – May 15 | Last chance - ends May 15 |
| Edamame (Soybean) | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 26 – May 15 | Last chance - ends May 15 |
| New Zealand Spinach | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 26 – May 15 | Last chance - ends May 15 |
| Pole Bean | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 26 – May 15 | Last chance - ends May 15 |
| Pumpkin | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 26 – May 15 | Last chance - ends May 15 |
| Shiso (Perilla) | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 26 – May 15 | Last chance - ends May 15 |
| Summer Savory | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 26 – May 15 | Last chance - ends May 15 |
| Sweet Corn | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 26 – May 15 | Last chance - ends May 15 |
| Sweet Marjoram | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 26 – May 15 | Last chance - ends May 15 |
| Winter Squash | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 26 – May 15 | Last chance - ends May 15 |
| Zucchini / Summer Squash | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 26 – May 15 | Last chance - ends May 15 |
| Basil | Transplant outdoors | May 1 – May 18 | May 1 – May 18 |
| Bell Pepper | Transplant outdoors | May 1 – May 18 | May 1 – May 18 |
| Bitter Melon | Transplant outdoors | May 1 – May 18 | May 1 – May 18 |
| Cantaloupe / Muskmelon | Transplant outdoors | May 1 – May 18 | May 1 – May 18 |
| Chili Pepper | Transplant outdoors | May 1 – May 18 | May 1 – May 18 |
| Cucamelon | Transplant outdoors | May 1 – May 18 | May 1 – May 18 |
| Cucumber | Transplant outdoors | May 1 – May 18 | May 1 – May 18 |
| Luffa (Loofah Gourd) | Transplant outdoors | May 1 – May 18 | May 1 – May 18 |
| Malabar Spinach | Transplant outdoors | May 1 – May 18 | May 1 – May 18 |
| Okra | Transplant outdoors | May 1 – May 18 | May 1 – May 18 |
| Watermelon | Transplant outdoors | May 1 – May 18 | May 1 – May 18 |
| Basil | Direct sow (spring) | May 3 – May 22 | May 3 – May 22 |
| Bitter Melon | Direct sow (spring) | May 3 – May 22 | May 3 – May 22 |
| Cantaloupe / Muskmelon | Direct sow (spring) | May 3 – May 22 | May 3 – May 22 |
| Chayote | Direct sow (spring) | May 3 – May 22 | May 3 – May 22 |
| Cucamelon | Direct sow (spring) | May 3 – May 22 | May 3 – May 22 |
| Cucumber | Direct sow (spring) | May 3 – May 22 | May 3 – May 22 |
| Lima Bean | Direct sow (spring) | May 3 – May 22 | May 3 – May 22 |
| Luffa (Loofah Gourd) | Direct sow (spring) | May 3 – May 22 | May 3 – May 22 |
| Malabar Spinach | Direct sow (spring) | May 3 – May 22 | May 3 – May 22 |
| Okra | Direct sow (spring) | May 3 – May 22 | May 3 – May 22 |
| Peanut | Direct sow (spring) | May 3 – May 22 | May 3 – May 22 |
| Southern Pea (Cowpea) | Direct sow (spring) | May 3 – May 22 | May 3 – May 22 |
| Watermelon | Direct sow (spring) | May 3 – May 22 | May 3 – May 22 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 8 – May 25 | May 8 – May 25 |
| Ginger | Transplant outdoors | May 8 – May 25 | May 8 – May 25 |
| Sweet Potato | Transplant outdoors | May 8 – May 25 | May 8 – May 25 |
| Turmeric | Transplant outdoors | May 8 – May 25 | May 8 – May 25 |
Keep sowing (succession)
Repeat sowings of crops already in the ground, for a steady harvest instead of a glut.
- Pea: sow again on May 7 and May 19
- Lettuce: sow again on May 4 and May 16 and May 28
- Spinach: sow again on May 7 and May 19
- Carrot: sow again on May 9 and May 27
- Beet: sow again on May 2 and May 20
- Radish: sow again on May 6 and May 16 and May 26
- Cilantro / Coriander: sow again on May 16
- Arugula: sow again on May 2 and May 14 and May 26
- Turnip: sow again on May 1 and May 15 and May 29
- Kohlrabi: sow again on May 1 and May 15 and May 29
- Bok Choy / Pak Choi: sow again on May 8 and May 22
- Mustard Greens: sow again on May 1 and May 15 and May 29
- Green Onion / Scallion: sow again on May 8 and May 29
- Endive & Escarole: sow again on May 8 and May 22
- Mache (Corn Salad): sow again on May 1 and May 15 and May 29
- Rapini (Broccoli Raab): sow again on May 1 and May 15 and May 29
- Tatsoi: sow again on May 2 and May 14 and May 26
- Mizuna: sow again on May 2 and May 14 and May 26
- Chervil: sow again on May 1 and May 15 and May 29
- Watercress: sow again on May 1 and May 22
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 Massachusetts
Every crop has its own full-year dates for Massachusetts: indoor start, transplant or direct sowing, and harvest.
Main planting month: May garden jobs in Massachusetts
- With the average last frost on April 24, 46 crops can go in outdoors this month, including fennel (bulb), lemon balm, parsnip, swiss chard.
- 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 Massachusetts
Massachusetts spans USDA zones 5a, 5b, 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 Massachusetts in May?
66 crops have a window in May: fennel (bulb), lemon balm, parsnip, swiss chard, celeriac, celery, oregano, sage, thyme, dill and more. The tables above give the exact dates for each.
Is it too late to plant tomatoes in Massachusetts in May?
No - transplant outdoors runs Apr 24 – May 11 in Massachusetts, so do it before May 11.
Is it too late to plant lettuce in Massachusetts in May?
Not too late - it's actually a little early. In Massachusetts the next lettuce window opens around August 9: sow for a fall crop.
When is the first frost in Massachusetts?
The statewide average first fall frost is around October 14 and the last spring frost around April 24. Your town can be a week or two either side - look yours up by ZIP code.
What can I harvest in Massachusetts in May?
From plantings made on time: spinach, arugula, tatsoi, mizuna, mustard greens, mache (corn salad), lettuce, turnip, rapini (broccoli raab), chervil.
What to plant in May in other states
Dates are computed from Massachusetts’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.