What to plant in May in Nebraska
In Nebraska (NE), May comes about 2 weeks after the average last frost (April 30). The state averages 158 frost-free days a year (last frost April 30, first frost October 5; USDA zones 4b, 5a, 5b).
69 crops have a sowing or planting window this month, including fennel (bulb), globe artichoke, lemon balm, mint, tarragon, parsnip - and 29 of those windows close during May.
Dates here come from Nebraska frost dates (last frost Apr 30, first frost Oct 5). For one crop in detail, see when to plant swiss chard, pumpkin or tomato in Nebraska.
Nebraska: planting activity through the year
Last chance in May
Fennel (Bulb) (transplant outdoors, by May 3) · Globe Artichoke (plant crowns / divisions, by May 3) · Lemon Balm (transplant outdoors, by May 3) · Mint (transplant outdoors, by May 3) · Tarragon (transplant outdoors, by May 3) · Fennel (Bulb) (direct sow (spring), by May 7) · Lemon Balm (direct sow (spring), by May 7) · Parsnip (direct sow (spring), by May 7) · Swiss Chard (direct sow (spring), by May 7) · Celeriac (transplant outdoors, by May 10) · Celery (transplant outdoors, by May 10) · Oregano (transplant outdoors, by May 10) · Sage (transplant outdoors, by May 10) · Thyme (transplant outdoors, by May 10) · Dill (direct sow (spring), by May 14) · Sunflower (direct sow (spring), by May 14) · Ground Cherry (transplant outdoors, by May 17) · New Zealand Spinach (transplant outdoors, by May 17) · Peanut (transplant outdoors, by May 17) · Pumpkin (transplant outdoors, by May 17) · Rosemary (transplant outdoors, by May 17) · Shiso (Perilla) (transplant outdoors, by May 17) · Summer Savory (transplant outdoors, by May 17) · Sunflower (transplant outdoors, by May 17) · Sweet Marjoram (transplant outdoors, by May 17) · Tomatillo (transplant outdoors, by May 17) · Tomato (transplant outdoors, by May 17) · Winter Squash (transplant outdoors, by May 17) · Zucchini / Summer Squash (transplant outdoors, by May 17)
Sow or plant outdoors in May (69)
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) | Transplant outdoors | Apr 16 – May 3 | Last chance - ends May 3 |
| Globe Artichoke | Plant crowns / divisions | Apr 16 – May 3 | Last chance - ends May 3 |
| Lemon Balm | Transplant outdoors | Apr 16 – May 3 | Last chance - ends May 3 |
| Mint | Transplant outdoors | Apr 16 – May 3 | Last chance - ends May 3 |
| Tarragon | Transplant outdoors | Apr 16 – May 3 | Last chance - ends May 3 |
| Fennel (Bulb) | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 18 – May 7 | Last chance - ends May 7 |
| Lemon Balm | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 18 – May 7 | Last chance - ends May 7 |
| Parsnip | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 18 – May 7 | Last chance - ends May 7 |
| Swiss Chard | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 18 – May 7 | Last chance - ends May 7 |
| Celeriac | Transplant outdoors | Apr 23 – May 10 | Last chance - ends May 10 |
| Celery | Transplant outdoors | Apr 23 – May 10 | Last chance - ends May 10 |
| Oregano | Transplant outdoors | Apr 23 – May 10 | Last chance - ends May 10 |
| Sage | Transplant outdoors | Apr 23 – May 10 | Last chance - ends May 10 |
| Thyme | Transplant outdoors | Apr 23 – May 10 | Last chance - ends May 10 |
| Dill | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 25 – May 14 | Last chance - ends May 14 |
| Sunflower | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 25 – May 14 | Last chance - ends May 14 |
| Ground Cherry | Transplant outdoors | Apr 30 – May 17 | Last chance - ends May 17 |
| New Zealand Spinach | Transplant outdoors | Apr 30 – May 17 | Last chance - ends May 17 |
| Peanut | Transplant outdoors | Apr 30 – May 17 | Last chance - ends May 17 |
| Pumpkin | Transplant outdoors | Apr 30 – May 17 | Last chance - ends May 17 |
| Rosemary | Transplant outdoors | Apr 30 – May 17 | Last chance - ends May 17 |
| Shiso (Perilla) | Transplant outdoors | Apr 30 – May 17 | Last chance - ends May 17 |
| Summer Savory | Transplant outdoors | Apr 30 – May 17 | Last chance - ends May 17 |
| Sunflower | Transplant outdoors | Apr 30 – May 17 | Last chance - ends May 17 |
| Sweet Marjoram | Transplant outdoors | Apr 30 – May 17 | Last chance - ends May 17 |
| Tomatillo | Transplant outdoors | Apr 30 – May 17 | Last chance - ends May 17 |
| Tomato | Transplant outdoors | Apr 30 – May 17 | Last chance - ends May 17 |
| Winter Squash | Transplant outdoors | Apr 30 – May 17 | Last chance - ends May 17 |
| Zucchini / Summer Squash | Transplant outdoors | Apr 30 – May 17 | Last chance - ends May 17 |
| Amaranth (Leaf) | Direct sow (spring) | May 2 – May 21 | May 2 – May 21 |
| Bush Bean | Direct sow (spring) | May 2 – May 21 | May 2 – May 21 |
| Edamame (Soybean) | Direct sow (spring) | May 2 – May 21 | May 2 – May 21 |
| New Zealand Spinach | Direct sow (spring) | May 2 – May 21 | May 2 – May 21 |
| Pole Bean | Direct sow (spring) | May 2 – May 21 | May 2 – May 21 |
| Pumpkin | Direct sow (spring) | May 2 – May 21 | May 2 – May 21 |
| Shiso (Perilla) | Direct sow (spring) | May 2 – May 21 | May 2 – May 21 |
| Summer Savory | Direct sow (spring) | May 2 – May 21 | May 2 – May 21 |
| Sweet Corn | Direct sow (spring) | May 2 – May 21 | May 2 – May 21 |
| Sweet Marjoram | Direct sow (spring) | May 2 – May 21 | May 2 – May 21 |
| Winter Squash | Direct sow (spring) | May 2 – May 21 | May 2 – May 21 |
| Zucchini / Summer Squash | Direct sow (spring) | May 2 – May 21 | May 2 – May 21 |
| Basil | Transplant outdoors | May 7 – May 24 | May 7 – May 24 |
| Bell Pepper | Transplant outdoors | May 7 – May 24 | May 7 – May 24 |
| Bitter Melon | Transplant outdoors | May 7 – May 24 | May 7 – May 24 |
| Cantaloupe / Muskmelon | Transplant outdoors | May 7 – May 24 | May 7 – May 24 |
| Chili Pepper | Transplant outdoors | May 7 – May 24 | May 7 – May 24 |
| Cucamelon | Transplant outdoors | May 7 – May 24 | May 7 – May 24 |
| Cucumber | Transplant outdoors | May 7 – May 24 | May 7 – May 24 |
| Luffa (Loofah Gourd) | Transplant outdoors | May 7 – May 24 | May 7 – May 24 |
| Malabar Spinach | Transplant outdoors | May 7 – May 24 | May 7 – May 24 |
| Okra | Transplant outdoors | May 7 – May 24 | May 7 – May 24 |
| Watermelon | Transplant outdoors | May 7 – May 24 | May 7 – May 24 |
| Basil | Direct sow (spring) | May 9 – May 28 | May 9 – May 28 |
| Bitter Melon | Direct sow (spring) | May 9 – May 28 | May 9 – May 28 |
| Cantaloupe / Muskmelon | Direct sow (spring) | May 9 – May 28 | May 9 – May 28 |
| Chayote | Direct sow (spring) | May 9 – May 28 | May 9 – May 28 |
| Cucamelon | Direct sow (spring) | May 9 – May 28 | May 9 – May 28 |
| Cucumber | Direct sow (spring) | May 9 – May 28 | May 9 – May 28 |
| Lima Bean | Direct sow (spring) | May 9 – May 28 | May 9 – May 28 |
| Luffa (Loofah Gourd) | Direct sow (spring) | May 9 – May 28 | May 9 – May 28 |
| Malabar Spinach | Direct sow (spring) | May 9 – May 28 | May 9 – May 28 |
| Okra | Direct sow (spring) | May 9 – May 28 | May 9 – May 28 |
| Peanut | Direct sow (spring) | May 9 – May 28 | May 9 – May 28 |
| Southern Pea (Cowpea) | Direct sow (spring) | May 9 – May 28 | May 9 – May 28 |
| Watermelon | Direct sow (spring) | May 9 – May 28 | May 9 – May 28 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 14 – May 31 | May 14 – May 31 |
| Ginger | Transplant outdoors | May 14 – May 31 | May 14 – May 31 |
| Sweet Potato | Transplant outdoors | May 14 – May 31 | May 14 – May 31 |
| Turmeric | Transplant outdoors | May 14 – May 31 | May 14 – May 31 |
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 and May 25
- Lettuce: sow again on May 10 and May 22
- Spinach: sow again on May 1 and May 13 and May 25
- Carrot: sow again on May 15
- Beet: sow again on May 8 and May 26
- Radish: sow again on May 2 and May 12 and May 22
- Cilantro / Coriander: sow again on May 4 and May 22
- Arugula: sow again on May 8 and May 20
- Turnip: sow again on May 7 and May 21
- Kohlrabi: sow again on May 7 and May 21
- Bok Choy / Pak Choi: sow again on May 14 and May 28
- Mustard Greens: sow again on May 7 and May 21
- Green Onion / Scallion: sow again on May 14
- Endive & Escarole: sow again on May 14 and May 28
- Mache (Corn Salad): sow again on May 7 and May 21
- Rapini (Broccoli Raab): sow again on May 7 and May 21
- Tatsoi: sow again on May 8 and May 20
- Mizuna: sow again on May 8 and May 20
- Chervil: sow again on May 7 and May 21
- Watercress: sow again on May 7 and May 28
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 Nebraska
Every crop has its own full-year dates for Nebraska: indoor start, transplant or direct sowing, and harvest.
Main planting month: May garden jobs in Nebraska
- With the average last frost on April 30, 49 crops can go in outdoors this month, including fennel (bulb), globe artichoke, lemon balm, mint.
- 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 Nebraska
Nebraska spans USDA zones 4b, 5a, 5b. 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 Nebraska in May?
69 crops have a window in May: fennel (bulb), globe artichoke, lemon balm, mint, tarragon, parsnip, swiss chard, celeriac, celery, oregano and more. The tables above give the exact dates for each.
Is it too late to plant tomatoes in Nebraska in May?
No - transplant outdoors runs Apr 30 – May 17 in Nebraska, so do it before May 17.
Is it too late to plant lettuce in Nebraska in May?
Not too late - it's actually a little early. In Nebraska the next lettuce window opens around July 31: sow for a fall crop.
When is the first frost in Nebraska?
The statewide average first fall frost is around October 5 and the last spring frost around April 30. Your town can be a week or two either side - look yours up by ZIP code.
What can I harvest in Nebraska in May?
From plantings made on time: radish, spinach, arugula, tatsoi, mizuna, mustard greens, mache (corn salad), lettuce, turnip, rapini (broccoli raab).
What to plant in May in other states
Dates are computed from Nebraska’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.