What to plant in May in Missouri
In Missouri (MO), May comes about 4 weeks after the average last frost (April 15). The state averages 186 frost-free days a year (last frost April 15, first frost October 18; USDA zones 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a).
58 crops have a sowing or planting window this month, including ground cherry, new zealand spinach, peanut, pumpkin, rosemary, shiso (perilla) - and 53 of those windows close during May.
Dates here come from Missouri frost dates (last frost Apr 15, first frost Oct 18). For one crop in detail, see when to plant pumpkin, tomato or winter squash in Missouri.
Missouri: planting activity through the year
Last chance in May
Ground Cherry (transplant outdoors, by May 2) · New Zealand Spinach (transplant outdoors, by May 2) · Peanut (transplant outdoors, by May 2) · Pumpkin (transplant outdoors, by May 2) · Rosemary (transplant outdoors, by May 2) · Shiso (Perilla) (transplant outdoors, by May 2) · Summer Savory (transplant outdoors, by May 2) · Sunflower (transplant outdoors, by May 2) · Sweet Marjoram (transplant outdoors, by May 2) · Tomatillo (transplant outdoors, by May 2) · Tomato (transplant outdoors, by May 2) · Winter Squash (transplant outdoors, by May 2) · Zucchini / Summer Squash (transplant outdoors, by May 2) · Amaranth (Leaf) (direct sow (spring), by May 6) · Bush Bean (direct sow (spring), by May 6) · Edamame (Soybean) (direct sow (spring), by May 6) · New Zealand Spinach (direct sow (spring), by May 6) · Pole Bean (direct sow (spring), by May 6) · Pumpkin (direct sow (spring), by May 6) · Shiso (Perilla) (direct sow (spring), by May 6) · Summer Savory (direct sow (spring), by May 6) · Sweet Corn (direct sow (spring), by May 6) · Sweet Marjoram (direct sow (spring), by May 6) · Winter Squash (direct sow (spring), by May 6) · Zucchini / Summer Squash (direct sow (spring), by May 6) · Basil (transplant outdoors, by May 9) · Bell Pepper (transplant outdoors, by May 9) · Bitter Melon (transplant outdoors, by May 9) · Cantaloupe / Muskmelon (transplant outdoors, by May 9) · Chili Pepper (transplant outdoors, by May 9) · Cucamelon (transplant outdoors, by May 9) · Cucumber (transplant outdoors, by May 9) · Luffa (Loofah Gourd) (transplant outdoors, by May 9) · Malabar Spinach (transplant outdoors, by May 9) · Okra (transplant outdoors, by May 9) · Watermelon (transplant outdoors, by May 9) · Basil (direct sow (spring), by May 13) · Bitter Melon (direct sow (spring), by May 13) · Cantaloupe / Muskmelon (direct sow (spring), by May 13) · Chayote (direct sow (spring), by May 13) · Cucamelon (direct sow (spring), by May 13) · Cucumber (direct sow (spring), by May 13) · Lima Bean (direct sow (spring), by May 13) · Luffa (Loofah Gourd) (direct sow (spring), by May 13) · Malabar Spinach (direct sow (spring), by May 13) · Okra (direct sow (spring), by May 13) · Peanut (direct sow (spring), by May 13) · Southern Pea (Cowpea) (direct sow (spring), by May 13) · Watermelon (direct sow (spring), by May 13) · Eggplant (transplant outdoors, by May 16) · Ginger (transplant outdoors, by May 16) · Sweet Potato (transplant outdoors, by May 16) · Turmeric (transplant outdoors, by May 16)
Sow or plant outdoors in May (53)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground Cherry | Transplant outdoors | Apr 15 – May 2 | Last chance - ends May 2 |
| New Zealand Spinach | Transplant outdoors | Apr 15 – May 2 | Last chance - ends May 2 |
| Peanut | Transplant outdoors | Apr 15 – May 2 | Last chance - ends May 2 |
| Pumpkin | Transplant outdoors | Apr 15 – May 2 | Last chance - ends May 2 |
| Rosemary | Transplant outdoors | Apr 15 – May 2 | Last chance - ends May 2 |
| Shiso (Perilla) | Transplant outdoors | Apr 15 – May 2 | Last chance - ends May 2 |
| Summer Savory | Transplant outdoors | Apr 15 – May 2 | Last chance - ends May 2 |
| Sunflower | Transplant outdoors | Apr 15 – May 2 | Last chance - ends May 2 |
| Sweet Marjoram | Transplant outdoors | Apr 15 – May 2 | Last chance - ends May 2 |
| Tomatillo | Transplant outdoors | Apr 15 – May 2 | Last chance - ends May 2 |
| Tomato | Transplant outdoors | Apr 15 – May 2 | Last chance - ends May 2 |
| Winter Squash | Transplant outdoors | Apr 15 – May 2 | Last chance - ends May 2 |
| Zucchini / Summer Squash | Transplant outdoors | Apr 15 – May 2 | Last chance - ends May 2 |
| Amaranth (Leaf) | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 17 – May 6 | Last chance - ends May 6 |
| Bush Bean | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 17 – May 6 | Last chance - ends May 6 |
| Edamame (Soybean) | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 17 – May 6 | Last chance - ends May 6 |
| New Zealand Spinach | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 17 – May 6 | Last chance - ends May 6 |
| Pole Bean | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 17 – May 6 | Last chance - ends May 6 |
| Pumpkin | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 17 – May 6 | Last chance - ends May 6 |
| Shiso (Perilla) | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 17 – May 6 | Last chance - ends May 6 |
| Summer Savory | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 17 – May 6 | Last chance - ends May 6 |
| Sweet Corn | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 17 – May 6 | Last chance - ends May 6 |
| Sweet Marjoram | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 17 – May 6 | Last chance - ends May 6 |
| Winter Squash | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 17 – May 6 | Last chance - ends May 6 |
| Zucchini / Summer Squash | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 17 – May 6 | Last chance - ends May 6 |
| Basil | Transplant outdoors | Apr 22 – May 9 | Last chance - ends May 9 |
| Bell Pepper | Transplant outdoors | Apr 22 – May 9 | Last chance - ends May 9 |
| Bitter Melon | Transplant outdoors | Apr 22 – May 9 | Last chance - ends May 9 |
| Cantaloupe / Muskmelon | Transplant outdoors | Apr 22 – May 9 | Last chance - ends May 9 |
| Chili Pepper | Transplant outdoors | Apr 22 – May 9 | Last chance - ends May 9 |
| Cucamelon | Transplant outdoors | Apr 22 – May 9 | Last chance - ends May 9 |
| Cucumber | Transplant outdoors | Apr 22 – May 9 | Last chance - ends May 9 |
| Luffa (Loofah Gourd) | Transplant outdoors | Apr 22 – May 9 | Last chance - ends May 9 |
| Malabar Spinach | Transplant outdoors | Apr 22 – May 9 | Last chance - ends May 9 |
| Okra | Transplant outdoors | Apr 22 – May 9 | Last chance - ends May 9 |
| Watermelon | Transplant outdoors | Apr 22 – May 9 | Last chance - ends May 9 |
| Basil | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 24 – May 13 | Last chance - ends May 13 |
| Bitter Melon | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 24 – May 13 | Last chance - ends May 13 |
| Cantaloupe / Muskmelon | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 24 – May 13 | Last chance - ends May 13 |
| Chayote | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 24 – May 13 | Last chance - ends May 13 |
| Cucamelon | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 24 – May 13 | Last chance - ends May 13 |
| Cucumber | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 24 – May 13 | Last chance - ends May 13 |
| Lima Bean | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 24 – May 13 | Last chance - ends May 13 |
| Luffa (Loofah Gourd) | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 24 – May 13 | Last chance - ends May 13 |
| Malabar Spinach | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 24 – May 13 | Last chance - ends May 13 |
| Okra | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 24 – May 13 | Last chance - ends May 13 |
| Peanut | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 24 – May 13 | Last chance - ends May 13 |
| Southern Pea (Cowpea) | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 24 – May 13 | Last chance - ends May 13 |
| Watermelon | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 24 – May 13 | Last chance - ends May 13 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 29 – May 16 | Last chance - ends May 16 |
| Ginger | Transplant outdoors | Apr 29 – May 16 | Last chance - ends May 16 |
| Sweet Potato | Transplant outdoors | Apr 29 – May 16 | Last chance - ends May 16 |
| Turmeric | Transplant outdoors | Apr 29 – May 16 | Last chance - ends May 16 |
Keep sowing (succession)
Repeat sowings of crops already in the ground, for a steady harvest instead of a glut.
- Pea: sow again on May 10
- Lettuce: sow again on May 7 and May 19
- Spinach: sow again on May 10
- Carrot: sow again on May 18
- Beet: sow again on May 11
- Radish: sow again on May 7 and May 17
- Cilantro / Coriander: sow again on May 7
- Dill: sow again on May 6
- Arugula: sow again on May 5 and May 17
- Turnip: sow again on May 6 and May 20
- Kohlrabi: sow again on May 6 and May 20
- Bok Choy / Pak Choi: sow again on May 13
- Mustard Greens: sow again on May 6 and May 20
- Green Onion / Scallion: sow again on May 20
- Fennel (Bulb): sow again on May 20
- Endive & Escarole: sow again on May 13
- Mache (Corn Salad): sow again on May 6 and May 20
- Rapini (Broccoli Raab): sow again on May 6 and May 20
- Tatsoi: sow again on May 5 and May 17
- Mizuna: sow again on May 5 and May 17
- Chervil: sow again on May 6 and May 20
- Watercress: sow again on May 13
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 Missouri
Every crop has its own full-year dates for Missouri: indoor start, transplant or direct sowing, and harvest.
Main planting month: May garden jobs in Missouri
- With the average last frost on April 15, 36 crops can go in outdoors this month, including ground cherry, new zealand spinach, peanut, pumpkin.
- 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 Missouri
Missouri spans USDA zones 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 Missouri in May?
58 crops have a window in May: ground cherry, new zealand spinach, peanut, pumpkin, rosemary, shiso (perilla), summer savory, sunflower, sweet marjoram, tomatillo and more. The tables above give the exact dates for each.
Is it too late to plant tomatoes in Missouri in May?
No - transplant outdoors runs Apr 15 – May 2 in Missouri, so do it before May 2.
Is it too late to plant lettuce in Missouri in May?
Not too late - it's actually a little early. In Missouri the next lettuce window opens around August 13: sow for a fall crop.
When is the first frost in Missouri?
The statewide average first fall frost is around October 18 and the last spring frost around April 15. Your town can be a week or two either side - look yours up by ZIP code.
What can I harvest in Missouri 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 Missouri’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.