What to plant in May in Tennessee
In Tennessee (TN), May is the heart of the growing season - about 5 weeks after the last frost (April 10) and 23 weeks before the first (October 25). The state averages 198 frost-free days a year (last frost April 10, first frost October 25; USDA zones 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a).
54 crops have a sowing or planting window this month, including amaranth (leaf), bush bean, edamame (soybean), new zealand spinach, pole bean, pumpkin - and 40 of those windows close during May.
Dates here come from Tennessee frost dates (last frost Apr 10, first frost Oct 25). For one crop in detail, see when to plant bush bean, pole bean or pumpkin in Tennessee.
Tennessee: planting activity through the year
Last chance in May
Amaranth (Leaf) (direct sow (spring), by May 1) · Bush Bean (direct sow (spring), by May 1) · Edamame (Soybean) (direct sow (spring), by May 1) · New Zealand Spinach (direct sow (spring), by May 1) · Pole Bean (direct sow (spring), by May 1) · Pumpkin (direct sow (spring), by May 1) · Shiso (Perilla) (direct sow (spring), by May 1) · Summer Savory (direct sow (spring), by May 1) · Sweet Corn (direct sow (spring), by May 1) · Sweet Marjoram (direct sow (spring), by May 1) · Winter Squash (direct sow (spring), by May 1) · Zucchini / Summer Squash (direct sow (spring), by May 1) · Basil (transplant outdoors, by May 4) · Bell Pepper (transplant outdoors, by May 4) · Bitter Melon (transplant outdoors, by May 4) · Cantaloupe / Muskmelon (transplant outdoors, by May 4) · Chili Pepper (transplant outdoors, by May 4) · Cucamelon (transplant outdoors, by May 4) · Cucumber (transplant outdoors, by May 4) · Luffa (Loofah Gourd) (transplant outdoors, by May 4) · Malabar Spinach (transplant outdoors, by May 4) · Okra (transplant outdoors, by May 4) · Watermelon (transplant outdoors, by May 4) · Basil (direct sow (spring), by May 8) · Bitter Melon (direct sow (spring), by May 8) · Cantaloupe / Muskmelon (direct sow (spring), by May 8) · Chayote (direct sow (spring), by May 8) · Cucamelon (direct sow (spring), by May 8) · Cucumber (direct sow (spring), by May 8) · Lima Bean (direct sow (spring), by May 8) · Luffa (Loofah Gourd) (direct sow (spring), by May 8) · Malabar Spinach (direct sow (spring), by May 8) · Okra (direct sow (spring), by May 8) · Peanut (direct sow (spring), by May 8) · Southern Pea (Cowpea) (direct sow (spring), by May 8) · Watermelon (direct sow (spring), by May 8) · Eggplant (transplant outdoors, by May 11) · Ginger (transplant outdoors, by May 11) · Sweet Potato (transplant outdoors, by May 11) · Turmeric (transplant outdoors, by May 11)
Sow or plant outdoors in May (40)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amaranth (Leaf) | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 12 – May 1 | Last chance - ends May 1 |
| Bush Bean | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 12 – May 1 | Last chance - ends May 1 |
| Edamame (Soybean) | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 12 – May 1 | Last chance - ends May 1 |
| New Zealand Spinach | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 12 – May 1 | Last chance - ends May 1 |
| Pole Bean | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 12 – May 1 | Last chance - ends May 1 |
| Pumpkin | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 12 – May 1 | Last chance - ends May 1 |
| Shiso (Perilla) | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 12 – May 1 | Last chance - ends May 1 |
| Summer Savory | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 12 – May 1 | Last chance - ends May 1 |
| Sweet Corn | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 12 – May 1 | Last chance - ends May 1 |
| Sweet Marjoram | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 12 – May 1 | Last chance - ends May 1 |
| Winter Squash | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 12 – May 1 | Last chance - ends May 1 |
| Zucchini / Summer Squash | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 12 – May 1 | Last chance - ends May 1 |
| Basil | Transplant outdoors | Apr 17 – May 4 | Last chance - ends May 4 |
| Bell Pepper | Transplant outdoors | Apr 17 – May 4 | Last chance - ends May 4 |
| Bitter Melon | Transplant outdoors | Apr 17 – May 4 | Last chance - ends May 4 |
| Cantaloupe / Muskmelon | Transplant outdoors | Apr 17 – May 4 | Last chance - ends May 4 |
| Chili Pepper | Transplant outdoors | Apr 17 – May 4 | Last chance - ends May 4 |
| Cucamelon | Transplant outdoors | Apr 17 – May 4 | Last chance - ends May 4 |
| Cucumber | Transplant outdoors | Apr 17 – May 4 | Last chance - ends May 4 |
| Luffa (Loofah Gourd) | Transplant outdoors | Apr 17 – May 4 | Last chance - ends May 4 |
| Malabar Spinach | Transplant outdoors | Apr 17 – May 4 | Last chance - ends May 4 |
| Okra | Transplant outdoors | Apr 17 – May 4 | Last chance - ends May 4 |
| Watermelon | Transplant outdoors | Apr 17 – May 4 | Last chance - ends May 4 |
| Basil | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 19 – May 8 | Last chance - ends May 8 |
| Bitter Melon | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 19 – May 8 | Last chance - ends May 8 |
| Cantaloupe / Muskmelon | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 19 – May 8 | Last chance - ends May 8 |
| Chayote | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 19 – May 8 | Last chance - ends May 8 |
| Cucamelon | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 19 – May 8 | Last chance - ends May 8 |
| Cucumber | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 19 – May 8 | Last chance - ends May 8 |
| Lima Bean | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 19 – May 8 | Last chance - ends May 8 |
| Luffa (Loofah Gourd) | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 19 – May 8 | Last chance - ends May 8 |
| Malabar Spinach | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 19 – May 8 | Last chance - ends May 8 |
| Okra | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 19 – May 8 | Last chance - ends May 8 |
| Peanut | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 19 – May 8 | Last chance - ends May 8 |
| Southern Pea (Cowpea) | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 19 – May 8 | Last chance - ends May 8 |
| Watermelon | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 19 – May 8 | Last chance - ends May 8 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 24 – May 11 | Last chance - ends May 11 |
| Ginger | Transplant outdoors | Apr 24 – May 11 | Last chance - ends May 11 |
| Sweet Potato | Transplant outdoors | Apr 24 – May 11 | Last chance - ends May 11 |
| Turmeric | Transplant outdoors | Apr 24 – May 11 | Last chance - ends May 11 |
Keep sowing (succession)
Repeat sowings of crops already in the ground, for a steady harvest instead of a glut.
- Pea: sow again on May 5
- Lettuce: sow again on May 2 and May 14
- Spinach: sow again on May 5
- Carrot: sow again on May 13
- Beet: sow again on May 6
- Radish: sow again on May 2 and May 12
- Cilantro / Coriander: sow again on May 2
- Dill: sow again on May 1
- Arugula: sow again on May 12
- Turnip: sow again on May 1 and May 15
- Kohlrabi: sow again on May 1 and May 15
- Bok Choy / Pak Choi: sow again on May 8
- Mustard Greens: sow again on May 1 and May 15
- Green Onion / Scallion: sow again on May 15
- Fennel (Bulb): sow again on May 15
- Endive & Escarole: sow again on May 8
- Mache (Corn Salad): sow again on May 1 and May 15
- Sunflower: sow again on May 1 and May 15 and May 29
- Rapini (Broccoli Raab): sow again on May 1 and May 15
- Tatsoi: sow again on May 12
- Mizuna: sow again on May 12
- Chervil: sow again on May 1 and May 15
- Watercress: sow again on May 8
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 Tennessee
Every crop has its own full-year dates for Tennessee: indoor start, transplant or direct sowing, and harvest.
Peak growing season: May garden jobs in Tennessee
- 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: tatsoi, mustard greens, mache (corn salad), lettuce should be coming in. Picking regularly keeps beans, squash and cucumbers producing.
USDA zone chart for Tennessee
Tennessee spans USDA zones 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a. 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 Tennessee in May?
54 crops have a window in May: amaranth (leaf), bush bean, edamame (soybean), new zealand spinach, pole bean, pumpkin, shiso (perilla), summer savory, sweet corn, sweet marjoram and more. The tables above give the exact dates for each.
Is it too late to plant tomatoes in Tennessee in May?
For this year, yes - the tomato windows in Tennessee have closed. The next step is to start seeds indoors from about February 13.
Is it too late to plant lettuce in Tennessee in May?
Not too late - it's actually a little early. In Tennessee the next lettuce window opens around August 20: sow for a fall crop.
When is the first frost in Tennessee?
The statewide average first fall frost is around October 25 and the last spring frost around April 10. Your town can be a week or two either side - look yours up by ZIP code.
What can I harvest in Tennessee in May?
From plantings made on time: tatsoi, mustard greens, mache (corn salad), lettuce, turnip, rapini (broccoli raab), chervil, pea, bok choy / pak choi, beet.
What to plant in May in other states
Dates are computed from Tennessee’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.