What to plant in May in Pennsylvania
In Pennsylvania (PA), May comes about 2 weeks after the average last frost (May 1). The state averages 162 frost-free days a year (last frost May 1, first frost October 10; USDA zones 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b).
78 crops have a sowing or planting window this month, including bok choy / pak choi, borage, cilantro / coriander, collard greens, kale, leek - and 27 of those windows close during May.
Dates here come from Pennsylvania frost dates (last frost May 1, first frost Oct 10). For one crop in detail, see when to plant kale, potato or swiss chard in Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania 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.
Pennsylvania: planting activity through the year
Last chance in May
Bok Choy / Pak Choi (direct sow (spring), by May 1) · Borage (direct sow (spring), by May 1) · Cilantro / Coriander (direct sow (spring), by May 1) · Collard Greens (direct sow (spring), by May 1) · Kale (direct sow (spring), by May 1) · Leek (direct sow (spring), by May 1) · Napa Cabbage (direct sow (spring), by May 1) · Parsley (direct sow (spring), by May 1) · Potato (direct sow (spring), by May 1) · Radicchio (direct sow (spring), by May 1) · Salsify (direct sow (spring), by May 1) · Fennel (Bulb) (transplant outdoors, by May 4) · Globe Artichoke (plant crowns / divisions, by May 4) · Lemon Balm (transplant outdoors, by May 4) · Mint (transplant outdoors, by May 4) · Tarragon (transplant outdoors, by May 4) · Fennel (Bulb) (direct sow (spring), by May 8) · Lemon Balm (direct sow (spring), by May 8) · Parsnip (direct sow (spring), by May 8) · Swiss Chard (direct sow (spring), by May 8) · Celeriac (transplant outdoors, by May 11) · Celery (transplant outdoors, by May 11) · Oregano (transplant outdoors, by May 11) · Sage (transplant outdoors, by May 11) · Thyme (transplant outdoors, by May 11) · Dill (direct sow (spring), by May 15) · Sunflower (direct sow (spring), by May 15)
Sow or plant outdoors in May (80)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bok Choy / Pak Choi | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 12 – May 1 | Last chance - ends May 1 |
| Borage | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 12 – May 1 | Last chance - ends May 1 |
| Cilantro / Coriander | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 12 – May 1 | Last chance - ends May 1 |
| Collard Greens | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 12 – May 1 | Last chance - ends May 1 |
| Kale | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 12 – May 1 | Last chance - ends May 1 |
| Leek | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 12 – May 1 | Last chance - ends May 1 |
| Napa Cabbage | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 12 – May 1 | Last chance - ends May 1 |
| Parsley | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 12 – May 1 | Last chance - ends May 1 |
| Potato | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 12 – May 1 | Last chance - ends May 1 |
| Radicchio | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 12 – May 1 | Last chance - ends May 1 |
| Salsify | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 12 – May 1 | Last chance - ends May 1 |
| Fennel (Bulb) | Transplant outdoors | Apr 17 – May 4 | Last chance - ends May 4 |
| Globe Artichoke | Plant crowns / divisions | Apr 17 – May 4 | Last chance - ends May 4 |
| Lemon Balm | Transplant outdoors | Apr 17 – May 4 | Last chance - ends May 4 |
| Mint | Transplant outdoors | Apr 17 – May 4 | Last chance - ends May 4 |
| Tarragon | Transplant outdoors | Apr 17 – May 4 | Last chance - ends May 4 |
| Fennel (Bulb) | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 19 – May 8 | Last chance - ends May 8 |
| Lemon Balm | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 19 – May 8 | Last chance - ends May 8 |
| Parsnip | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 19 – May 8 | Last chance - ends May 8 |
| Swiss Chard | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 19 – May 8 | Last chance - ends May 8 |
| Celeriac | Transplant outdoors | Apr 24 – May 11 | Last chance - ends May 11 |
| Celery | Transplant outdoors | Apr 24 – May 11 | Last chance - ends May 11 |
| Oregano | Transplant outdoors | Apr 24 – May 11 | Last chance - ends May 11 |
| Sage | Transplant outdoors | Apr 24 – May 11 | Last chance - ends May 11 |
| Thyme | Transplant outdoors | Apr 24 – May 11 | Last chance - ends May 11 |
| Dill | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 26 – May 15 | Last chance - ends May 15 |
| Sunflower | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 26 – May 15 | Last chance - ends May 15 |
| Ground Cherry | Transplant outdoors | May 1 – May 18 | May 1 – May 18 |
| New Zealand Spinach | Transplant outdoors | May 1 – May 18 | May 1 – May 18 |
| Peanut | Transplant outdoors | May 1 – May 18 | May 1 – May 18 |
| Pumpkin | Transplant outdoors | May 1 – May 18 | May 1 – May 18 |
| Rosemary | Transplant outdoors | May 1 – May 18 | May 1 – May 18 |
| Shiso (Perilla) | Transplant outdoors | May 1 – May 18 | May 1 – May 18 |
| Summer Savory | Transplant outdoors | May 1 – May 18 | May 1 – May 18 |
| Sunflower | Transplant outdoors | May 1 – May 18 | May 1 – May 18 |
| Sweet Marjoram | Transplant outdoors | May 1 – May 18 | May 1 – May 18 |
| Tomatillo | Transplant outdoors | May 1 – May 18 | May 1 – May 18 |
| Tomato | Transplant outdoors | May 1 – May 18 | May 1 – May 18 |
| Winter Squash | Transplant outdoors | May 1 – May 18 | May 1 – May 18 |
| Zucchini / Summer Squash | Transplant outdoors | May 1 – May 18 | May 1 – May 18 |
| Amaranth (Leaf) | Direct sow (spring) | May 3 – May 22 | May 3 – May 22 |
| Bush Bean | Direct sow (spring) | May 3 – May 22 | May 3 – May 22 |
| Edamame (Soybean) | Direct sow (spring) | May 3 – May 22 | May 3 – May 22 |
| New Zealand Spinach | Direct sow (spring) | May 3 – May 22 | May 3 – May 22 |
| Pole Bean | Direct sow (spring) | May 3 – May 22 | May 3 – May 22 |
| Pumpkin | Direct sow (spring) | May 3 – May 22 | May 3 – May 22 |
| Shiso (Perilla) | Direct sow (spring) | May 3 – May 22 | May 3 – May 22 |
| Summer Savory | Direct sow (spring) | May 3 – May 22 | May 3 – May 22 |
| Sweet Corn | Direct sow (spring) | May 3 – May 22 | May 3 – May 22 |
| Sweet Marjoram | Direct sow (spring) | May 3 – May 22 | May 3 – May 22 |
| Winter Squash | Direct sow (spring) | May 3 – May 22 | May 3 – May 22 |
| Zucchini / Summer Squash | Direct sow (spring) | May 3 – May 22 | May 3 – May 22 |
| Basil | Transplant outdoors | May 8 – May 25 | May 8 – May 25 |
| Bell Pepper | Transplant outdoors | May 8 – May 25 | May 8 – May 25 |
| Bitter Melon | Transplant outdoors | May 8 – May 25 | May 8 – May 25 |
| Cantaloupe / Muskmelon | Transplant outdoors | May 8 – May 25 | May 8 – May 25 |
| Chili Pepper | Transplant outdoors | May 8 – May 25 | May 8 – May 25 |
| Cucamelon | Transplant outdoors | May 8 – May 25 | May 8 – May 25 |
| Cucumber | Transplant outdoors | May 8 – May 25 | May 8 – May 25 |
| Luffa (Loofah Gourd) | Transplant outdoors | May 8 – May 25 | May 8 – May 25 |
| Malabar Spinach | Transplant outdoors | May 8 – May 25 | May 8 – May 25 |
| Okra | Transplant outdoors | May 8 – May 25 | May 8 – May 25 |
| Watermelon | Transplant outdoors | May 8 – May 25 | May 8 – May 25 |
| Basil | Direct sow (spring) | May 10 – May 29 | May 10 – May 29 |
| Bitter Melon | Direct sow (spring) | May 10 – May 29 | May 10 – May 29 |
| Cantaloupe / Muskmelon | Direct sow (spring) | May 10 – May 29 | May 10 – May 29 |
| Chayote | Direct sow (spring) | May 10 – May 29 | May 10 – May 29 |
| Cucamelon | Direct sow (spring) | May 10 – May 29 | May 10 – May 29 |
| Cucumber | Direct sow (spring) | May 10 – May 29 | May 10 – May 29 |
| Lima Bean | Direct sow (spring) | May 10 – May 29 | May 10 – May 29 |
| Luffa (Loofah Gourd) | Direct sow (spring) | May 10 – May 29 | May 10 – May 29 |
| Malabar Spinach | Direct sow (spring) | May 10 – May 29 | May 10 – May 29 |
| Okra | Direct sow (spring) | May 10 – May 29 | May 10 – May 29 |
| Peanut | Direct sow (spring) | May 10 – May 29 | May 10 – May 29 |
| Southern Pea (Cowpea) | Direct sow (spring) | May 10 – May 29 | May 10 – May 29 |
| Watermelon | Direct sow (spring) | May 10 – May 29 | May 10 – May 29 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 15 – Jun 1 | Opens May 15 |
| Ginger | Transplant outdoors | May 15 – Jun 1 | Opens May 15 |
| Sweet Potato | Transplant outdoors | May 15 – Jun 1 | Opens May 15 |
| Turmeric | Transplant outdoors | May 15 – Jun 1 | Opens May 15 |
Keep sowing (succession)
Repeat sowings of crops already in the ground, for a steady harvest instead of a glut.
- Pea: sow again on May 2 and May 14 and May 26
- Lettuce: sow again on May 11 and May 23
- Spinach: sow again on May 2 and May 14 and May 26
- Carrot: sow again on May 16
- Beet: sow again on May 9 and May 27
- Radish: sow again on May 3 and May 13 and May 23
- Arugula: sow again on May 9 and May 21
- Turnip: sow again on May 8 and May 22
- Kohlrabi: sow again on May 8 and May 22
- Mustard Greens: sow again on May 8 and May 22
- Green Onion / Scallion: sow again on May 15
- Endive & Escarole: sow again on May 1 and May 15 and May 29
- Mache (Corn Salad): sow again on May 8 and May 22
- Rapini (Broccoli Raab): sow again on May 8 and May 22
- Tatsoi: sow again on May 9 and May 21
- Mizuna: sow again on May 9 and May 21
- Chervil: sow again on May 8 and May 22
- Watercress: sow again on May 8 and May 29
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 Pennsylvania
Every crop has its own full-year dates for Pennsylvania: indoor start, transplant or direct sowing, and harvest.
Main planting month: May garden jobs in Pennsylvania
- With the average last frost on May 1, 60 crops can go in outdoors this month, including bok choy / pak choi, borage, cilantro / coriander, collard greens.
- 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 Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania spans USDA zones 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b. 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 Pennsylvania in May?
78 crops have a window in May: bok choy / pak choi, borage, cilantro / coriander, collard greens, kale, leek, napa cabbage, parsley, potato, radicchio and more. The tables above give the exact dates for each.
Is it too late to plant tomatoes in Pennsylvania in May?
No - transplant outdoors runs May 1 – May 18 in Pennsylvania, so do it before May 18.
Is it too late to plant lettuce in Pennsylvania in May?
Not too late - it's actually a little early. In Pennsylvania the next lettuce window opens around August 5: sow for a fall crop.
When is the first frost in Pennsylvania?
The statewide average first fall frost is around October 10 and the last spring frost around May 1. Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania’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.