In early May, you can plant a wide variety of vegetables suitable for spring and summer growth. Here are some vegetables you can plant now:
- Leafy greens and salad crops: Lettuce, salad leaves, spinach (annual and perpetual), rocket, pak choi, mustard greens, and radishes
- Root vegetables: Beetroot, carrots, radishes, turnips, parsnips, and celeriac
- Legumes: Broad beans, peas, French beans, runner beans
- Brassicas: Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage (spring and summer varieties), kale, Brussels sprouts, Chinese cabbage, kalettes
- Nightshades and warm-season crops: Aubergines (eggplant), peppers (sweet and chili), tomatoes (start indoors or plant out if seedlings are ready), courgettes (zucchini), cucumbers, pumpkins, butternut squash, marrow, sweetcorn
- Herbs: Basil, thyme, mint, lemon verbena
- Other: Asparagus crowns, artichoke (globe), celery, fennel, Swiss chard, lettuce, microgreens
Many of these can be sown directly outdoors or started indoors and transplanted later, depending on your climate and local frost dates. For example, peas, carrots, broad beans, and radishes can be sown directly outside now, while tomatoes and peppers are often started indoors or in greenhouses before planting out
. This planting list is suitable for temperate climates in spring, and you should adjust based on your local zone and weather conditions. Keep in mind that some crops like tomatoes and melons may require warmer soil and air temperatures to thrive outdoors
. In summary, May is a good time to plant a broad range of vegetables including leafy greens, root crops, legumes, brassicas, and warm-season vegetables to ensure a productive summer and fall harvest
