What to Plant in May in Washington State (PNW Guide)

If April is about starting, May is about momentum.

Soil has warmed. Days are longer. Growth starts to feel real.

This is one of the most important planting windows of the year in Washington—especially in the lowland PNW (zones 8a–8b). What you plant now will carry your garden through summer.

Vegetables to Plant in May

May is when you can finally start planting warm-season crops with confidence.

Direct Sow Outdoors

• Beans (bush & pole)

• Carrots

• Beets

• Lettuce (still, but choose heat-tolerant varieties)

• Radishes (quick harvest before summer heat)

• Spinach (early May only)

• Corn (late May when soil is warm)

Transplant Starts

• Tomatoes (after last frost—usually early to mid-May)

• Peppers

• Cucumbers

• Zucchini & summer squash

• Winter squash (late May)

• Broccoli & cauliflower (early May only)

💡 If it loves heat, May is your moment.

Flowers to Plant in May

This is when your garden starts to feel alive—not just productive.

Direct Sow

• Cosmos

• Zinnias

• Sunflowers

• Calendula

• Nasturtiums

Transplant

• Marigolds

• Petunias

• Geraniums

• Dahlias (tubers go in now)

🌼 Mix in flowers early—they bring pollinators when your vegetables need them most.

Herbs to Plant in May

Herbs thrive in May’s mild warmth.

• Basil (wait until nights are reliably warm)

• Cilantro (plant in partial shade to slow bolting)

• Parsley

• Dill

• Chives

Watch the Weather (PNW Reality Check)

Even in May, the Pacific Northwest can surprise you.

• Last frost: Typically early May, but always check your local forecast

• Cold nights: Tomatoes and peppers can stall if temps dip below ~50°F

• Rain: Still common—watch for soggy soil and spacing issues

💡 When in doubt, wait a week. Warm soil matters more than the calendar.

What to Do in the Garden This Month

Planting is only part of it—May is also about setting your garden up to succeed.

• Thin seedlings (it matters more than you think)

• Mulch beds to hold moisture and suppress weeds

• Start staking or supporting plants early

• Water consistently as dry days increase

• Keep an eye out for slugs (they love fresh growth)

A Simple May Planting Strategy

If you’re not sure where to start, keep it simple:

1. Plant your warm-season vegetables (tomatoes, squash, beans)

2. Fill gaps with fast growers (lettuce, radish)

3. Add a few flowers for pollinators

4. Leave space—everything will grow faster than you expect

The Quiet Shift

May is where gardening shifts from planning… to participation.

You stop wondering if things will grow—and start trying to keep up.

Don’t aim for perfect. Aim for planted.