What to plant in May in zone 2a
136 crops to start indoors, direct sow, or transplant in May in USDA hardiness zone 2a. Typical last spring frost around May 22, 2026, first fall frost around Sep 2, 2026 — exact dates vary by location within the zone.
Zone 2a covers a lot of ground. Enter your ZIP for May dates from your nearest weather station and a month-by-month calendar:
Start indoors
Sow these under lights or on a windowsill now for transplants later.
- Armenian Cucumber
- Cucamelon
- Cucumber
- Gourd (Angled Luffa)
- Gourd (Bitter)
- Gourd (Bottle)
- Gourd (Luffa)
- Gourd (Ornamental)
- Gourd (Turban)
- Gourd (Wax)
- Korean Summer Squash
- Melon
- Melon (Pickling)
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Pumpkin
- Pumpkin (Maxima)
- Pumpkin (Moschata)
- Summer Squash
- Watermelon
- West Indian Gherkin
- Wild Arugula
- Winter Squash (Acorn)
- Winter Squash (Banana)
- Winter Squash (Buttercup)
- Winter Squash (Butternut)
- Winter Squash (Cushaw)
- Winter Squash (Delicata)
- Winter Squash (Hubbard)
- Winter Squash (Spaghetti)
Direct sow outside
Sow these straight into the garden bed this month.
Transplant outdoors
Move these hardened-off seedlings into the garden.
- Achillea
- Agastache
- Angelica
- Artichoke
- Bee Balm
- Bishop's Flower
- Bok Choy
- Broccoli
- Broccoli Raab
- Brussels Sprouts
- Bunching Onion
- Burdock
- Cabbage
- Calendula
- Cardoon
- Catnip
- Cauliflower
- Celeriac
- Celery
- Celtuce / Stem Lettuce
- Chicory
- Chinese Broccoli
- Chinese Cabbage
- Chinese Celery
- Chive
- Chrysanthemum Greens
- Clasping Coneflower
- Dandelion
- Echinacea
- Endive
- Ethiopian Kale
- Evening Primrose
- Garlic Chives
- Hamburg Parsley
- Horehound
- Huauzontle
- Hyssop
- Kohlrabi
- Komatsuna Mustard
- Leek
- Lemon Balm
- Lemon Mint
- Lettuce
- Lovage
- Mibuna
- Misome
- Mitsuba
- Mizuna
- Onion
- Orach
- Parsley
- Purple Yu Choy Sum
- Radicchio
- Roman Chamomile
- Romanesco Broccoli
- Rue
- Russian Kale
- Sage
- Salad Burnet
- Shallot
- Sheep Sorrel
- Soapwort
- Strawberry Spinach
- Sweet Woodruff
- Tansy
- Tarragon
- Thyme
- Veined Catmint
- Wormwood
- Yu Choy Sum
Plant out
Set out these crops (sets, tubers, or starts) now.
Keep going
Timings use NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals for a representative location (ZIP 99711) in zone 2a, computed with the same engine as GardenDraft’s in-app schedule. Guidance, not guarantees — your exact dates depend on your address.