• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

The Real Gardener

How People Actually Grow Food

  • Home
  • Shop
  • Blog
  • About

What to Plant in May in Your Vegetable Garden

Disclaimer: This blog post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Learn More. Thank you for supporting our garden community.

May 3, 2024 by Jonathan 1 Comment

May is an exciting time for gardeners as the weather warms up and nature comes alive with vibrant colors. It’s the perfect opportunity to plant a variety of crops and flowers that will thrive throughout the summer months. In this guide, we will explore what to plant in may in your vegetable garden, offering tips and recommendations to help you create a bountiful and beautiful garden.

what to plant in may in the vegetable garden

May is the perfect time to get your garden growing!

Table of Contents

Toggle
  • What to Plant in May in Your Vegetable Garden
    • Vegetables to Plant in May
    • Flowers to Plant in May
    • Herbs to Plant in May
    • Shrubs and Trees to Plant in May
    • Why is it Best to Plant These in May
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Products
    • Conclusion
      • The Best Organic Fertilizer for Lettuce Plants That You NEED
      • 3 DIY Pea Trellis Ideas That WORK and Increase Your Harvest
      • How to Grow Broccoli the RIGHT Way (What People Get Wrong)
      • Is Window Light Enough for Seedlings? The Truth
      • 9 Warm-Season Vegetables to Grow in Containers
      • Planting Bare Root Raspberries in Spring
      • How to Grow Lettuce From Seed in Every Season
      • Fix These 11 Common Seedling Problems Easily

What to Plant in May in Your Vegetable Garden

In this post, you will learn about the best plants, flowers, vegetables, herbs, shrubs, and trees to plant in May, providing you with a comprehensive guide for a vibrant and flourishing garden. You will gain insights into the specific plant varieties that thrive in May’s weather conditions and how to support their growth through proper care and maintenance.

Additionally, we will discover the importance of timing and the advantages of planting these particular varieties during this transitional period. By the end of this post, you will feel empowered with the knowledge and inspiration to start your gardening journey, maximizing the potential of your outdoor space and reaping the rewards of a beautiful and productive garden.

Vegetables to Plant in May

May is an excellent time to start growing a wide range of vegetables. Some popular options include tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and pumpkins. These warm-season crops love the longer, sunnier, and warmer days of late spring and early summer. Check out our guides on each of these vegetables to learn more.

what to plant in may cucumbers spring planting

Make sure to choose varieties that are suited to your climate and follow proper planting techniques. SeedsNow carries a wide selection of some of our favourite spring vegetable seeds, such as tomatoes and peppers.

Provide them with adequate support, water, and nourishment to ensure healthy growth and a fruitful harvest. If you want to buy a good quality organic fertilizer, check out Arber for their wide selection of organic fertilizers.

Flowers to Plant in May

May is synonymous with colorful blooms, and there are plenty of flowers to choose from to create stunning displays in your garden. Some popular flowers to plant in May include marigolds, petunias, begonias, and chamomile. Each of these flowers will grow perfectly in the current conditions and will provide beautiful blooms this summer.

flowers to plant in may including marigolds and chamomile

Make sure to choose the right varieties for your garden from SeedsNow.

Consider the lighting conditions in your garden and choose flowers that thrive in either full sun or partial shade. Prepare the soil, provide proper spacing, and pay attention to watering and fertilizing needs to ensure vigorous growth and a vibrant flower garden.

Flowers can also be interplanted with vegetables and other plants as an organic pest control method. Check out our guide on companion planting to learn more.

Herbs to Plant in May

If you love fresh herbs in your culinary endeavors, May is an ideal time to plant them. Popular herbs to grow in May include basil, rosemary, thyme, and mint. Choose a sunny spot in your garden or use grow bags if you have limited space.

plant rosemary and mint herbs in may

You can pick up your herb seeds from SeedsNow, and choose from their wide array of different varieties.

Herbs are generally low-maintenance but require regular watering and occasional pruning to stimulate growth and maintain flavor. You can also try using a herb garden planter to save some space in the garden. Enjoy the convenience of having these aromatic additions to your dishes just a few steps away from your kitchen.

Shrubs and Trees to Plant in May

May is also a great time to introduce new shrubs and trees to your garden. Consider options such as hydrangeas, azaleas, magnolias, or fruit trees. Carefully select plants that are suitable for your specific climate and take into account the space they need to grow.

what to plant in may hydrangeas

Nature Hills Nursery carries a large selection of different perennials that you can grow in your garden.

Prepare the soil with compost and ensure proper watering and mulching to enhance their establishment and long-term health. These additions will provide structure, fragrance, and visual interest to your landscape for years to come.

Why is it Best to Plant These in May

May is a transitional time in the gardening calendar as the harsh winter weather subsides, and the soil temperature and daylight increase. The warm sun, combined with moderate rainfalls, provides ideal conditions to get your garden blooming before the heat of summer takes hold.

The plants we’ve recommended in this guide are best suited to take advantage of these ideal growing conditions. Vegetables can germinate and grow quickly with warmer soil conditions, while flowers love the longer days and mild temperatures.

Herbs thrive in the spring weather, benefitting from the cool nights and warm days, while shrubs and trees can establish roots before the hot and dry summer months. By planting in May, you give your plants a head start and the best chance for successful growth throughout the season.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it too late to plant seeds in May?

No, it’s not too late to plant seeds in May for many vegetables and flowers. Warm soil temperatures in May can actually help seeds germinate quickly.

When should I transplant tomatoes in May?

You can transplant tomato seedlings outdoors in May as long as there is no danger of frost.

What flowers can I plant in May?

May is a great time to plant annual flowers like zinnias, cosmos, marigolds, and cleome. You can also plant perennials like peonies and roses in May.

What herbs can I plant in May?

May is a great time to plant basil, cilantro, dill, and other warm-season herbs.

What vegetables can I plant in May?

May is a great time to plant warm-season vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, squash, beans, and cucumbers.

What should I do with my garden in May?

In addition to planting, May is a good time to amend your garden soil, add mulch around your plants, and start weeding.

Products

For all-purpose organic fertilizers, check out Arber.

To buy organic, non-GMO garden seeds, check out SeedsNow.

For a wide selection of garden plants, check out Nature Hills Nursery.

For gardening equipment, check out Bootstrap Farmer.

Conclusion

With the arrival of May, we’re presented with a myriad of opportunities to bring life and color to our gardens. Whether it’s planting vegetables for a summer harvest, adorning our spaces with flowers, growing herbs for fresh flavor, or adding structure with shrubs and trees, there’s something for every gardener to enjoy.

So, roll up your sleeves, dig in, and let your garden thrive this May. Remember to provide the necessary care and attention throughout the season for a flourishing and rewarding experience.

We hope this comprehensive guide has inspired you and provided the information you need to start planting your garden this May. Happy gardening!

If you want to learn more about gardening, foraging, nature, and sustainability, check out The Real Gardener on Instagram, YouTube, and Pinterest. 

Pin this post for later:


fertilizer for lettuce plants on garden soil

The Best Organic Fertilizer for Lettuce Plants That You NEED

pea trellis

3 DIY Pea Trellis Ideas That WORK and Increase Your Harvest

How to Grow Broccoli the RIGHT Way (What People Get Wrong)

is window light enough for seedlings

Is Window Light Enough for Seedlings? The Truth

long season vegetables to grow in containers

9 Warm-Season Vegetables to Grow in Containers

planting bare root raspberries

Planting Bare Root Raspberries in Spring

How to Grow Lettuce From Seed in Every Season

seedling problems

Fix These 11 Common Seedling Problems Easily

Like this:

Like Loading...

Filed Under: Spring Gardening Tagged With: may garden, spring garden, spring gardening, vegetables to plant in may, what to plant in may

About Jonathan

Previous Post: « 9 Plants for Mother’s Day: The Perfect Green Gift for Your Mom
Next Post: Foraging Dandelions: A Comprehensive Guide »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Hey! I’m Jonathan. I’m a no-nonsense gardener in Canada. I know that nobody reads the manual, because I don’t either. Here you’ll find no-nonsense, straight-to-the-point tips about vegetable gardening. Learn more about my story here

Popular Content

Best Organic Garden Mulch for Your Vegetables

how to grow peppers

How to Grow Peppers This Summer

leggy seedlings

Don’t Restart Your Leggy Seedlings. Try THIS First!

Seeds Guaranteed to Grow

Shop Burpee Garden Seeds Now Shop Burpee Garden Seeds Now

Copyright © 2025 · Niche Theme

Copyright © 2025 · Niche Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

Manage Consent
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behaviour or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
Manage options Manage services Manage {vendor_count} vendors Read more about these purposes
View preferences
{title} {title} {title}
%d