Planting guide

What to plant in Zone 6 in May

USDA Zone 6 · US Northern Hemisphere May

May is when the summer garden goes in across zone 6. The average last freeze is in April (April 4 in Kansas City, April 16 in Cincinnati, April 20 in Indianapolis, at NOAA's stations), and the late freeze that comes one year in ten has passed by April 20 to May 5. That clears tomatoes, beans and corn for early May and the heat-lovers for the middle of the month.

Plant now

Tomato transplants (early in the month)

Purdue Extension classes tomatoes as tender: plant after the average last frost, once nights hold at 50°F (10°C). K-State's calendar for most of Kansas makes May the main tomato-planting month.

Bush and pole beans, sweet corn

Direct-sow once the soil reaches at least 60°F (16°C); in colder soil the seed is likely to rot. Several sowings spread the harvest.

Cucumbers and summer squash

Very tender: Purdue says at least two weeks after the average last frost, with nights at 60-65°F (16-18°C). K-State's main window opens in May and runs through June, into July for summer squash.

Pepper and eggplant transplants (from the second week)

Also very tender. K-State's main window opens in the second week of May and runs into early June. They need the same warm nights as cucumbers.

Melons, watermelon, winter squash and pumpkins (mid-month on)

Very tender as well. In K-State's calendar the main window starts in the second or third week of May.

Sweet potato slips (late in the month) and basil

Sweet potatoes go in from the last week of May through June in Kansas. Basil is safe about two weeks after the last frost.

Timing notes

  • A cold, wet spring changes the dates, not the order. Purdue's advice: when the soil has not warmed, delay beans, tomatoes, squash, sweet potatoes and sweet corn until it reaches 60°F (16°C).
  • If you make only one planting of a crop, Purdue suggests making it about midway through its date range, not on the first possible day.
  • Look up the average last frost for your own town with the frost date calculator; the zone number is a winter-minimum band, not a planting date.
Frost dates and a seed-starting schedule for your ZIP code Free calculator from NOAA station records: last spring frost, first fall frost, and what to start each week. ← All planting guides