My Planting Calendar

What to plant in May in Mississippi

In Mississippi (MS), May is the heart of the growing season - about 8 weeks after the last frost (March 20) and 25 weeks before the first (November 5). The state averages 230 frost-free days a year (last frost March 20, first frost November 5; USDA zones 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a).

9 crops have a sowing or planting window this month.

Dates here come from Mississippi frost dates (last frost Mar 20, first frost Nov 5). For one crop in detail, see when to plant tomato, lettuce or garlic in Mississippi.

Peak growing seasonSow or plant: 9Start indoors: 0Harvesting: 40

Mississippi: planting activity through the year

29
61
86
58
9
9
14
30
27
3
2
2
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Frost riskFrost-free: Mar 20 – Nov 5
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 (86).

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.

Lettuce · Apr 5 – May 5Beet · Apr 11 – May 1Kale · Apr 18 – May 3Cilantro / Coriander · Apr 20 – May 15Green Onion / Scallion · Apr 21 – May 11Collard Greens · Apr 23 – May 13Swiss Chard · Apr 25 – May 5Napa Cabbage · Apr 25 – May 20Watercress · Apr 25 – May 5Amaranth (Leaf) · Apr 26 – May 16Cabbage · Apr 28 – Jun 7Carrot · Apr 28 – May 18Dill · Apr 29 – May 19Borage · Apr 30 – May 20Basil · May 3 – Jun 2Broccoli · May 5 – May 30Cauliflower · May 5 – Jun 4Radicchio · May 5 – Jun 14Fava Bean (Broad Bean) · May 6 – May 21Zucchini / Summer Squash · May 11 – May 26Tarragon · May 12 – Jun 11Potato · May 15 – Jul 4Parsley · May 15 – Jun 4Bush Bean · May 16 – May 26New Zealand Spinach · May 16 – Jun 5Fennel (Bulb) · May 17 – Jun 11Summer Savory · May 21 – Jun 5Mint · May 22 – Jun 11Lemon Balm · May 22 – Jun 11Cucumber · May 23 – Jun 12Okra · May 23 – Jun 7Tomato · May 26 – Jun 20Pole Bean · May 26 – Jun 5Sweet Corn · May 26 – Jul 5Sweet Marjoram · May 26 – Jun 15Onion · May 28 – Jun 27Shallot · May 28 – Jun 27Bitter Melon · May 28 – Jun 17Malabar Spinach · May 28 – Jun 12Endive & Escarole · May 30 – Jun 14

Planting dates for popular crops in Mississippi

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

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

Peak growing season: May garden jobs in Mississippi

  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. 25 weeks until the average first frost (November 5). 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: lettuce, beet, kale, cilantro / coriander should be coming in. Picking regularly keeps beans, squash and cucumbers producing.

USDA zone chart for Mississippi

Mississippi spans USDA zones 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a. 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 7Apr 5Oct 25200 days
Zone 8Mar 20Nov 5230 days
Zone 9Feb 20Nov 30280 days

Questions gardeners ask

What vegetables can I plant in Mississippi 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 Mississippi in May?

For this year, yes - the tomato windows in Mississippi have closed. The next step is to start seeds indoors from about January 23.

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

Not too late - it's actually a little early. In Mississippi the next lettuce window opens around August 31: sow for a fall crop.

When is the first frost in Mississippi?

The statewide average first fall frost is around November 5 and the last spring frost around March 20. Your town can be a week or two either side - look yours up by ZIP code.

What can I harvest in Mississippi in May?

From plantings made on time: lettuce, beet, kale, cilantro / coriander, green onion / scallion, collard greens, swiss chard, napa cabbage, watercress, amaranth (leaf).

← April in MississippiJune in Mississippi →Full-year Mississippi planting calendar →Mississippi frost dates →

What to plant in May in other states

AlabamaArkansasFloridaLouisianaAlaskaArizonaCaliforniaColoradoAll states →

Dates are computed from Mississippi’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.