What to plant in May in North Carolina
In North Carolina (NC), May is the heart of the growing season - about 6 weeks after the last frost (April 5) and 23 weeks before the first (October 25). The state averages 203 frost-free days a year (last frost April 5, first frost October 25; USDA zones 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b).
41 crops have a sowing or planting window this month, including basil, bitter melon, cantaloupe / muskmelon, chayote, cucamelon, cucumber - and 17 of those windows close during May.
Dates here come from North Carolina frost dates (last frost Apr 5, first frost Oct 25). For one crop in detail, see when to plant basil, cantaloupe or cucumber in North Carolina.
North Carolina covers a very wide range of climates, so dates near you can be two weeks or more either side of these. Enter your ZIP code in the planting calendar for dates tuned to your town.
North Carolina: planting activity through the year
Last chance in May
Basil (direct sow (spring), by May 3) · Bitter Melon (direct sow (spring), by May 3) · Cantaloupe / Muskmelon (direct sow (spring), by May 3) · Chayote (direct sow (spring), by May 3) · Cucamelon (direct sow (spring), by May 3) · Cucumber (direct sow (spring), by May 3) · Lima Bean (direct sow (spring), by May 3) · Luffa (Loofah Gourd) (direct sow (spring), by May 3) · Malabar Spinach (direct sow (spring), by May 3) · Okra (direct sow (spring), by May 3) · Peanut (direct sow (spring), by May 3) · Southern Pea (Cowpea) (direct sow (spring), by May 3) · Watermelon (direct sow (spring), by May 3) · Eggplant (transplant outdoors, by May 6) · Ginger (transplant outdoors, by May 6) · Sweet Potato (transplant outdoors, by May 6) · Turmeric (transplant outdoors, by May 6)
Sow or plant outdoors in May (17)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basil | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 14 – May 3 | Last chance - ends May 3 |
| Bitter Melon | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 14 – May 3 | Last chance - ends May 3 |
| Cantaloupe / Muskmelon | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 14 – May 3 | Last chance - ends May 3 |
| Chayote | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 14 – May 3 | Last chance - ends May 3 |
| Cucamelon | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 14 – May 3 | Last chance - ends May 3 |
| Cucumber | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 14 – May 3 | Last chance - ends May 3 |
| Lima Bean | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 14 – May 3 | Last chance - ends May 3 |
| Luffa (Loofah Gourd) | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 14 – May 3 | Last chance - ends May 3 |
| Malabar Spinach | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 14 – May 3 | Last chance - ends May 3 |
| Okra | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 14 – May 3 | Last chance - ends May 3 |
| Peanut | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 14 – May 3 | Last chance - ends May 3 |
| Southern Pea (Cowpea) | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 14 – May 3 | Last chance - ends May 3 |
| Watermelon | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 14 – May 3 | Last chance - ends May 3 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 19 – May 6 | Last chance - ends May 6 |
| Ginger | Transplant outdoors | Apr 19 – May 6 | Last chance - ends May 6 |
| Sweet Potato | Transplant outdoors | Apr 19 – May 6 | Last chance - ends May 6 |
| Turmeric | Transplant outdoors | Apr 19 – May 6 | Last chance - ends May 6 |
Keep sowing (succession)
Repeat sowings of crops already in the ground, for a steady harvest instead of a glut.
- Zucchini / Summer Squash: sow again on May 10
- Bush Bean: sow again on May 10 and May 24
- Lettuce: sow again on May 9
- Carrot: sow again on May 8
- Beet: sow again on May 1
- Radish: sow again on May 7
- Sweet Corn: sow again on May 10 and May 24
- Arugula: sow again on May 7
- Turnip: sow again on May 10
- Kohlrabi: sow again on May 10
- Bok Choy / Pak Choi: sow again on May 3
- Mustard Greens: sow again on May 10
- Green Onion / Scallion: sow again on May 10
- Fennel (Bulb): sow again on May 10
- Endive & Escarole: sow again on May 3
- Mache (Corn Salad): sow again on May 10
- Edamame (Soybean): sow again on May 10 and May 24
- Sunflower: sow again on May 10 and May 24
- Rapini (Broccoli Raab): sow again on May 10
- Tatsoi: sow again on May 7
- Mizuna: sow again on May 7
- Amaranth (Leaf): sow again on May 10 and May 24
- Chervil: sow again on May 10
- Watercress: sow again on May 3
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 North Carolina
Every crop has its own full-year dates for North Carolina: indoor start, transplant or direct sowing, and harvest.
Peak growing season: May garden jobs in North Carolina
- 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.
- 23 weeks until the average first frost (October 25). Plan the fall garden now - most fall crops are sown 8-12 weeks before first frost. See the fall and winter garden guide.
- Check the undersides of leaves twice a week - catching pests early is most of the battle (pest identification guide).
- Harvest often: lettuce, turnip, rapini (broccoli raab), chervil should be coming in. Picking regularly keeps beans, squash and cucumbers producing.
USDA zone chart for North Carolina
North Carolina spans USDA zones 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b. 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 North Carolina in May?
41 crops have a window in May: basil, bitter melon, cantaloupe / muskmelon, chayote, cucamelon, cucumber, lima bean, luffa (loofah gourd), malabar spinach, okra and more. The tables above give the exact dates for each.
Is it too late to plant tomatoes in North Carolina in May?
For this year, yes - the tomato windows in North Carolina have closed. The next step is to start seeds indoors from about February 8.
Is it too late to plant lettuce in North Carolina in May?
Not too late - it's actually a little early. In North Carolina the next lettuce window opens around August 20: sow for a fall crop.
When is the first frost in North Carolina?
The statewide average first fall frost is around October 25 and the last spring frost around April 5. North Carolina covers a wide range of climates, so local dates can differ by two weeks or more - look yours up by ZIP code.
What can I harvest in North Carolina in May?
From plantings made on time: lettuce, turnip, rapini (broccoli raab), chervil, pea, bok choy / pak choi, beet, kohlrabi, kale, cilantro / coriander.
What to plant in May in other states
Dates are computed from North Carolina’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.