What to Plant in May — Zone 2

May is the pivot month in zone 2: the average last frost lands around May 30. Hardy crops go out all month; tender ones wait for the far side of that date.

Start seeds indoors — Counted back from the last frost so transplants are ready on time.

🥬 Lettuce	Apr 18 – May 2	45–60 days to maturity
🥬 Kale	Apr 18 – May 2	55–65 days to maturity
🌈 Swiss Chard	Apr 25 – May 9	50–60 days to maturity
🍃 Collard Greens	Apr 18 – May 2	60–75 days to maturity
🥬 Brussels Sprouts	Apr 18 – May 2	90–110 days to maturity
🥒 Cucumbers	May 2 – May 9	50–70 days to maturity
🥒 Zucchini	May 2 – May 9	45–60 days to maturity
🎃 Winter Squash	May 2 – May 9	85–110 days to maturity
🎃 Pumpkins	May 2 – May 9	90–110 days to maturity
🍉 Watermelon	May 2 – May 9	75–95 days to maturity
🍈 Cantaloupe	May 2 – May 9	75–90 days to maturity
🌶️ Okra	May 2 – May 9	55–65 days to maturity
🌿 Basil	Apr 18 – May 2	30–60 days to maturity
🌸 Zinnias	May 2 – May 9	60–70 days to maturity
🏵️ Marigolds	Apr 18 – May 2	50–60 days to maturity

Transplant outdoors — Set out sturdy transplants during these windows.

🥬 Lettuce	May 2 – May 16	45–60 days to maturity
🥬 Kale	May 2 – May 16	55–65 days to maturity
🌈 Swiss Chard	May 16 – May 30	50–60 days to maturity
🍃 Collard Greens	May 2 – May 16	60–75 days to maturity
🥬 Cabbage	May 2 – May 16	65–85 days to maturity
🥦 Broccoli	May 9 – May 23	60–75 days to maturity
🥦 Cauliflower	May 16 – May 30	60–80 days to maturity
🥬 Brussels Sprouts	May 30 – Jun 13	90–110 days to maturity
🧅 Onions	Apr 18 – May 2	90–110 days to maturity
🧅 Leeks	May 2 – May 16	100–120 days to maturity
🥬 Celery	May 30 – Jun 13	100–120 days to maturity
🌿 Parsley	May 16 – May 30	70–90 days to maturity
🌱 Chives	May 16 – May 30	75–85 days to maturity
🌿 Thyme	May 30 – Jun 13	90–120 days to maturity
🌿 Oregano	May 30 – Jun 13	80–90 days to maturity

Direct sow — Seeds straight into garden soil.

🫛 Peas	Apr 18 – May 2	55–70 days to maturity
🥬 Lettuce	May 2 – May 30	45–60 days to maturity
🍃 Spinach	Apr 18 – May 2	40–50 days to maturity
🥬 Kale	May 2 – May 16	55–65 days to maturity
🌿 Arugula	Apr 25 – May 9	30–40 days to maturity
🌈 Swiss Chard	May 16 – May 30	50–60 days to maturity
🍃 Collard Greens	May 16 – May 30	60–75 days to maturity
🥬 Kohlrabi	May 2 – May 16	45–60 days to maturity
🥕 Carrots	May 9 – May 30	60–75 days to maturity
🫒 Beets	May 2 – May 16	50–65 days to maturity
🌶️ Radishes	Apr 25 – May 9	22–30 days to maturity
🥔 Turnips	May 2 – May 16	40–55 days to maturity
🥕 Parsnips	May 9 – May 30	100–120 days to maturity
🧅 Onions	May 2 – May 16	90–110 days to maturity
🧅 Scallions	May 2 – May 16	60–70 days to maturity
🥔 Potatoes	May 2 – May 16	70–100 days to maturity
🥬 Bok Choy	May 9 – May 23	45–55 days to maturity
🌿 Mustard Greens	May 2 – May 16	35–45 days to maturity
🌿 Cilantro	May 9 – May 23	45–55 days to maturity
🌿 Parsley	May 16 – May 30	70–90 days to maturity
🌾 Dill	May 16 – May 30	40–55 days to maturity
🌱 Chives	May 16 – May 30	75–85 days to maturity

Windows use zone 2's typical frost dates (May 30 / Sep 8). For your own city's dates, run the frost lookup — the planting calendar then localizes everything automatically.

Frequently asked questions

What can I plant outside in May in zone 2?

30 crops can go in the ground: lettuce, kale, swiss chard, collard greens, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, and 22 more. Exact windows are in the tables above — early and late in the month can differ by a full frost date.

What seeds should I start indoors in May in zone 2?

Lettuce, kale, swiss chard, collard greens, brussels sprouts, cucumbers, zucchini, winter squash, and 7 more — each is counted back from zone 2's average last frost around May 30, so transplants are ready exactly when the garden is.

Is May the right time for tomatoes in zone 2?

Not yet — zone 2 tomatoes start indoors roughly 8–6 weeks before the May 30 last frost and transplant just after it.