What to Plant in May: A Love & Vegetables Guide for Zone 6

In Zone 6, May is the month where it all begins. The last frost is (mostly) behind us, the soil is warming, and your garden is finally ready to come alive. This is your chance to direct sow summer crops, transplant indoor starts, and get your garden into full swing.

🧊 Frost Facts:

• Average last frost: May 10–15

• Soil temp for warm crops: 60°F and rising

• Use a cheap soil thermometer for best results!

🌾 What to Direct Sow in May:

These crops thrive when you plant them straight into the garden:

• Bush Beans – Plant every two weeks for staggered harvests

• Corn – Needs to be planted in blocks for pollination

• Cucumbers – Pre-warm the soil with black plastic for faster growth

• Zucchini & Summer Squash – Don’t overplant—one or two is plenty!

• Sunflowers & Nasturtiums – Great for pollinators, plus fun for kids

🌱 What to Transplant in May:

Start these indoors or buy starts, and plant them out now that it’s warming up:

• Tomatoes – Stake them early and mulch deeply

• Peppers – Hold off until nights are consistently warm

• Eggplants – Loves heat, plant with black mulch

• Basil – Tender herb, plant after all frost risk is gone

🧅 Cool Crops You Can Still Plant (Early May Only):

If your spring was cold, you can still sneak in:

• Lettuce

• Beets

• Radishes

• Carrots

• Swiss Chard

• Spinach (bolt-resistant varieties only)

🧑‍🌾 Garden To-Do List for May:

• Fertilize early plantings with an organic boost

• Prune tomato suckers to promote airflow

• Apply mulch before weeds take hold

• Keep an eye out for pests like slugs and aphids

• Install trellises for beans and cucumbers now

👨‍👩‍👧 Family Garden Project: Build a Three Sisters Bed

Try this fun companion planting method:

• Corn grows tall and supports the beans

• Beans climb the corn and add nitrogen to the soil

• Squash spreads along the ground, shading out weeds

Kids will love seeing how these three crops work together. It’s a living science lesson right in your backyard.

🛍️ Build Your Complete Garden