My Planting Calendar

What to plant in May in zone 9

USDA zone 9 has winter lows of 20 to 30°F, a typical last spring frost around Feb 20 and first fall frost around Nov 30, roughly 280 frost-free days. May is the "peak growing season" there.

9 crops have a sowing or planting window this month.

Dates come from the typical frost dates of USDA zone 9 (last frost Feb 20, first frost Nov 30). A zone covers many climates, so for dates tuned to your town use the planting calendar, or pick your state below.

Peak growing seasonSow or plant: 9Start indoors: 0Harvesting: 49

Zone 9: planting activity through the year

70
83
63
9
9
9
4
9
28
20
2
25
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Frost riskFrost-free: Feb 20 – Nov 30
Bars count the vegetables, herbs and fruit with a sowing or planting window in each month, from the state’s average frost dates. 9 have one in May; the busiest month is February (83).

Harvesting in May

First harvests expected this month from crops sown or planted on time earlier in the season.

Cabbage · Mar 31 – May 10Basil · Apr 5 – May 5Broccoli · Apr 7 – May 2Cauliflower · Apr 7 – May 7Radicchio · Apr 7 – May 17Tarragon · Apr 14 – May 14Potato · Apr 17 – Jun 6Parsley · Apr 17 – May 7New Zealand Spinach · Apr 18 – May 8Fennel (Bulb) · Apr 19 – May 14Summer Savory · Apr 23 – May 8Mint · Apr 24 – May 14Lemon Balm · Apr 24 – May 14Cucumber · Apr 25 – May 15Okra · Apr 25 – May 10Tomato · Apr 28 – May 23Pole Bean · Apr 28 – May 8Sweet Corn · Apr 28 – Jun 7Sweet Marjoram · Apr 28 – May 18Onion · Apr 30 – May 30Shallot · Apr 30 – May 30Bitter Melon · Apr 30 – May 20Malabar Spinach · Apr 30 – May 15Endive & Escarole · May 2 – May 17Bell Pepper · May 5 – Jun 4Southern Pea (Cowpea) · May 5 – Jun 4Thyme · May 6 – May 21Sage · May 6 – May 21Brussels Sprouts · May 7 – Jun 6Ground Cherry · May 8 – May 28Sunflower · May 8 – Jun 7Shiso (Perilla) · May 8 – May 28Lima Bean · May 10 – Jun 9Cucamelon · May 10 – May 20Oregano · May 11 – May 21Edamame (Soybean) · May 13 – Jun 7Tomatillo · May 13 – Jun 7Chili Pepper · May 15 – Jun 14Cantaloupe / Muskmelon · May 15 – Jun 4Watermelon · May 15 – Jun 14Eggplant · May 17 – Jun 6Leek · May 17 – Jul 6Winter Squash · May 18 – Jun 17Parsnip · May 24 – Jun 23Salsify · May 27 – Jul 6Pumpkin · May 28 – Jun 27Rosemary · May 28 – Jun 27Celery · May 31 – Jul 10Celeriac · May 31 – Jun 20

Peak growing season: May garden jobs in zone 9

  1. 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.
  2. 28 weeks until the average first frost (November 30). Plan the fall garden now - most fall crops are sown 8-12 weeks before first frost. See the fall and winter garden guide.
  3. Check the undersides of leaves twice a week - catching pests early is most of the battle (pest identification guide).
  4. Harvest often: cabbage, basil, broccoli, cauliflower should be coming in. Picking regularly keeps beans, squash and cucumbers producing.

Questions gardeners ask

What can I plant in zone 9 in May?

9 crops have a window in May: . The tables above give the exact dates for each.

When are the last and first frost in zone 9?

The typical last spring frost is around Feb 20 and the first fall frost around Nov 30. These are broad zone averages, so your own town can be a week or two either side: look yours up by ZIP code in the planting calendar.

What can I harvest in zone 9 in May?

From plantings made on time: cabbage, basil, broccoli, cauliflower, radicchio, tarragon, potato, parsley, new zealand spinach, fennel (bulb).

May in states with land in zone 9

AlabamaArizonaCaliforniaFloridaGeorgiaLouisianaMississippiNevadaNew MexicoOregonSouth CarolinaTexasUtahWashington

Zone 9 in other months

JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecemberZone 9 overview →

What to plant in May in other zones

Zone 3Zone 4Zone 5Zone 6Zone 7Zone 8Zone 10All states →

Dates are computed from the zone’s typical frost dates and each crop’s timing in our crop database. Your garden may be a week or two either side.