What to Sow in May
The frost lifts — tender crops finally go outside.
May is the great planting-out month. After the last frost (mid-to-late May in most of Central Europe), tender crops can move outdoors and warm-soil sowings can be made directly. It is a month of both sowing and transplanting.
Dates assume a temperate Central European climate. Warmer regions can sow a little earlier; colder or higher areas a little later. Ask a coach if you’d like advice for your own climate zone.
Start indoors / under cover
French & runner beans
VegetablesSow in pots for a later succession, or start any not yet begun.
Cucumbers & courgettes (late)
VegetablesA final indoor sowing 2 cm deep for plants to follow on after the first.
Basil & tender herbs
HerbsContinue sowing warm; pot on strong seedlings for the kitchen.
Sow direct outdoors
French, runner & climbing beans
VegetablesOnce frost has passed, sow 5 cm deep at the base of supports.
Sweetcorn
VegetablesSow 2-3 cm deep in a block (not a single row) for good wind pollination.
Courgettes, squash & pumpkins
VegetablesSow two seeds per station 2 cm deep and remove the weaker seedling.
Carrots, beetroot, chard & salads
VegetablesContinue successional direct sowing 1-2 cm deep.
Tips for May
- Harden off all indoor-raised plants over 7-10 days before planting them out permanently.
- Watch the forecast — hold tender plants back or cover them if a late frost is predicted.
- Mulch around establishing plants to lock in the spring moisture before summer heat.
Harvesting now
Asparagus, radishes, early lettuce, spinach, and the first new-season herbs.