May in Zone 2
May in Zone 2 (last frost late may – early june, first frost mid august – early september). There are 19 crops to sow, transplant, or harvest this month.
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- Min Winter Temp
- -50 to -40 °F / -46 to -40 °C
- Last Spring Frost
- Late May – early June
- First Fall Frost
- Mid August – early September
- Growing Season
- 75–100 days
- Annual Rainfall
- 12–25 in
May overview
May is the last frost month for most of the US and the traditional time to transplant warm-season vegetables. Gardens are at peak spring beauty, and the shift from cool-season to warm-season crops is in full swing.
Transplanting tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and melons in most zones; last frost passes in Zones 5–6; warm-zone gardeners are harvesting spring crops and planting summer succession crops.
- Season
- spring
- Temperature trend
- Warm and pleasant in most regions; last frosts typically occur in early-to-mid May in cold zones.
- Daylight
- Long days; approximately 14–15 hours of daylight in mid-latitudes.
- Zone 2 last frost
- Late May – early June
- Zone 2 first frost
- Mid August – early September
6
Sow indoors
10
Sow outdoors
3
Transplant
0
Harvest
1
Maintenance
🌱 Sow indoors
Start these indoors
Get a jump on the season under lights or on a sunny windowsill so transplants are ready when the weather warms.
Tomatoes
Sow ¼ in deep in cell trays; keep at 70–75°F. Germinates in 7–10 days.
Tomatillos
Sow ¼ in deep at 70°F; treat like tomatoes.
Broccoli
Sow ¼ in deep; ready to transplant in 4–6 weeks at 4–5 in tall.
Cabbage
Sow ¼ in deep; harden off well before setting out.
Basil
Surface-sow under lights at 70°F; very frost-tender.
Marigolds
Sow ¼ in deep; quick and reliable from seed.
🌿 Sow outdoors
Sow these directly outdoors
Soil and weather are right to sow these straight into the garden where they will grow.
Peas
Sow 1 in deep, 2 in apart as soon as soil is workable; trellis tall types.
Lettuce
Surface-sow and barely cover; succession-sow every 2 weeks for a steady supply.
Spinach
Sow ½ in deep in cold soil; bolts fast once days lengthen and warm.
Radishes
Sow ½ in deep, thin to 1 in. Ready in just 3–4 weeks — great for kids and impatient gardeners.
Carrots
Sow ¼ in deep in loose, stone-free soil; keep surface moist until sprouts appear (2–3 weeks).
Carrots
Fall carrots sweeten after frost — sow midsummer for autumn harvest.
Beets
Sow ½ in deep; each "seed" is a cluster, so thin to 3 in. Eat the thinnings as greens.
Kale & collards
Sow ¼ in deep or transplant; extremely cold-hardy.
Cilantro
Sow ½ in deep; succession-sow — it bolts quickly in heat.
Sweet peas
Soak seed, sow 1 in deep in cool soil, and give them something to climb.
🪴 Transplant
Transplant these into the garden
Move hardened-off seedlings into their final beds.
Broccoli
Transplant while still cool; space 18 in apart. Heat ruins the heads.
Cabbage
Transplant 12–18 in apart into firm soil while weather is still cool.
Onions
Set out pencil-thick seedlings (or sets) 4 in apart as soon as soil is workable.
🛠️ Maintenance
Harden off and prep beds
Zone 2's last frost lands around now (Late May – early June).
📌 Harden off indoor seedlings over 7–10 days, work compost into beds, and keep frost cloth handy for surprise late freezes.
General May tasks
These apply broadly regardless of zone — a useful checklist alongside the zone-specific tasks above.
- ✓Transplant tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, and basil after last frost
- ✓Direct sow beans, squash, cucumbers, and corn after last frost
- ✓Plant annual herbs: basil, summer savory
- ✓Set up tomato cages, stakes, and trellises at planting time
- ✓Thin direct-sown beets, carrots, and lettuce to proper spacing
- ✓Begin regular fertilizing of container plants
- ✓Deadhead spring bulbs and let foliage die back naturally
- ✓Install supports for climbing plants: beans, peas, cucumbers
⚠ Watch-outs for May
- ⚠Late May frosts in Zones 4–5 can kill transplants set out too early
- ⚠Soil should be at least 60°F before transplanting warm-season crops
- ⚠Cutworms peak in May — use collars around transplant stems
- ⚠Over-watering newly transplanted seedlings causes root rot — let soil dry between waterings
May in Zone 2: common questions
What can I plant in May in Zone 2?＋
In May, Zone 2 gardeners can sow or transplant Tomatoes, Tomatillos, Broccoli, Cabbage, Basil, Marigolds, Peas, and Lettuce. May in Zone 2 (last frost late may – early june, first frost mid august – early september). There are 19 crops to sow, transplant, or harvest this month.
When is the last and first frost in Zone 2?＋
Zone 2 typically has its last spring frost around Late May – early June and its first fall frost around Mid August – early September, giving a growing season of roughly 75–100 days. Always check a local frost-date source, since microclimates vary.
What garden jobs matter most in May in Zone 2?＋
Focus on transplant tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, and basil after last frost, direct sow beans, squash, cucumbers, and corn after last frost, plant annual herbs: basil, summer savory. Watch out for late may frosts in zones 4–5 can kill transplants set out too early.