Month by month · Oregon · Washington · Idaho

May in the garden

Warm crops go out once the soil warms. West of the Cascades that's usually mid to late May; in the high desert it's still risky.

What to plant in May

How much can go in across the five climate regions. Your region's row is highlighted once you pick a town.

Region	Plant outside	Start indoors
Coast	91 plants	2 plants
West-side valleys	40 plants	1 plant
East-side valleys	96 plants	Nothing
Inland Northwest	103 plants	2 plants
High desert	81 plants	9 plants

All 103 plants and their May dates, by region

Plant	Coast	West-side valleys	East-side valleys	Inland Northwest	High desert
Peas	Plant Mar 25 – May 6	—	Plant Mar 20 – May 1	Plant Apr 1 – May 13	Plant Apr 28 – Jun 9
Radishes	Plant Mar 25 – May 20	—	Plant Mar 20 – May 15	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Apr 28 – Jun 23
Spinach	—	—	—	Plant Apr 1 – May 6	Plant Apr 28 – Jun 2
Lettuce	Plant Mar 25 – May 20	—	Plant Mar 20 – May 15	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Apr 28 – Jun 23
Onions	—	—	—	Plant Apr 1 – May 6	Plant Apr 28 – Jun 2
Carrots	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Mar 15 – May 10	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Apr 15 – Jun 10	Plant May 12 – Jul 7
Beets	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Mar 15 – May 10	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Apr 15 – Jun 10	Plant May 12 – Jul 7
Kale	Plant Apr 1 – May 13	—	Plant Apr 1 – May 13	Plant Apr 15 – May 27	Plant May 12 – Jun 23
Broccoli	Plant Apr 1 – May 6	—	Plant Apr 1 – May 6	Plant Apr 15 – May 20	Plant May 12 – Jun 16
Cabbage	Plant Apr 1 – May 6	—	Plant Apr 1 – May 6	Plant Apr 15 – May 20	Plant May 12 – Jun 16
Swiss chard	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Mar 15 – May 10	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Apr 15 – Jun 10	Plant May 12 – Jul 7
Potatoes	Plant Apr 1 – May 13	—	Plant Apr 1 – May 13	Plant Apr 15 – May 27	Plant May 12 – Jun 23
Bush beans	Plant May 15 – Jun 26	Plant May 10 – Jun 21	Plant May 3 – Jun 14	Plant May 15 – Jun 26	—
Sweet corn	Plant May 15 – Jun 19	Plant May 10 – Jun 14	Plant May 3 – Jun 7	Plant May 15 – Jun 19	—
Cucumbers	Plant May 20 – Jun 17	Plant May 15 – Jun 12	Plant May 1–29	Plant May 20 – Jun 17	Start indoors May 12–19
Zucchini and summer squash	Plant May 20 – Jun 17	Plant May 15 – Jun 12	Plant May 1–29	Plant May 20 – Jun 17	Start indoors May 12–19
Winter squash	Plant May 20 – Jun 10	Plant May 15 – Jun 5	Plant May 1–22	Plant May 20 – Jun 10	Start indoors May 12–19
Tomatoes	Plant May 20 – Jun 17	Plant May 15 – Jun 12	Plant May 1–29	Plant May 20 – Jun 17	—
Peppers	—	Plant May 25 – Jun 15	Plant May 10–31	Plant May 30 – Jun 20	—
Basil	Start indoors Apr 20 – May 4	Plant May 25 – Jun 22	Plant May 10 – Jun 7	Start indoors Apr 18 – May 2 Plant May 30 – Jun 27	Start indoors May 5–19
Dahlias	Plant May 20 – Jun 17	Plant May 15 – Jun 12	Plant May 1–29	Plant May 20 – Jun 17	—
Cilantro	Plant Mar 25 – May 13	—	Plant Mar 20 – May 8	Plant Apr 1 – May 20	Plant Apr 28 – Jun 16
Parsley	Plant Apr 1 – May 20	Plant Mar 15 – May 3	Plant Apr 1 – May 20	Plant Apr 15 – Jun 3	Plant May 12 – Jun 30
Dill	Plant Apr 1 – Jun 3	Plant Mar 15 – May 17	Plant Apr 1 – Jun 3	Plant Apr 15 – Jun 17	Plant May 12 – Jul 14
Strawberries	Plant Apr 1 – May 13	—	Plant Apr 1 – May 13	Plant Apr 15 – May 27	Plant May 12 – Jun 23
Blueberries	Plant Apr 1 – May 20	Plant Mar 15 – May 3	Plant Apr 1 – May 20	Plant Apr 15 – Jun 3	Plant May 12 – Jun 30
Raspberries	Plant Apr 1 – May 13	—	Plant Apr 1 – May 13	Plant Apr 15 – May 27	Plant May 12 – Jun 23
Cauliflower	—	—	—	Plant Apr 15 – May 13	Plant May 12 – Jun 9
Brussels sprouts	Plant Apr 1 – May 13	—	Plant Apr 1 – May 13	Plant Apr 15 – May 27	Plant May 12 – Jun 23
Leeks	Plant Apr 1 – May 13	—	Plant Apr 1 – May 13	Plant Apr 15 – May 27	Plant May 12 – Jun 23
Arugula	Plant Mar 25 – May 6	—	Plant Mar 20 – May 1	Plant Apr 1 – May 13	Plant Apr 28 – Jun 9
Bok choy	—	—	—	Plant Apr 1 – May 6	Plant Apr 28 – Jun 2
Turnips	Plant Mar 25 – May 6	—	Plant Mar 20 – May 1	Plant Apr 1 – May 13	Plant Apr 28 – Jun 9
Kohlrabi	Plant Apr 1 – May 13	—	Plant Apr 1 – May 13	Plant Apr 15 – May 27	Plant May 12 – Jun 23
Eggplant	—	Plant May 25 – Jun 15	Plant May 10–31	Plant May 30 – Jun 20	—
Melons	Start indoors May 4–11	Start indoors Apr 27 – May 4 Plant May 25 – Jun 15	Plant May 10–31	Start indoors May 2–9 Plant May 30 – Jun 20	Start indoors May 19–26
Pole beans	Plant May 15 – Jun 19	Plant May 10 – Jun 14	Plant May 3 – Jun 7	Plant May 15 – Jun 19	—
Fava beans	—	—	—	Plant Apr 1 – May 6	Plant Apr 28 – Jun 2
Asparagus	Plant Apr 1 – May 13	—	Plant Apr 1 – May 13	Plant Apr 15 – May 27	Plant May 12 – Jun 23
Rhubarb	Plant Mar 25 – May 6	—	Plant Mar 20 – May 1	Plant Apr 1 – May 13	Plant Apr 28 – Jun 9
Chives	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Mar 15 – May 10	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Apr 15 – Jun 10	Plant May 12 – Jul 7
Mint	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Mar 15 – May 10	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Apr 15 – Jun 10	Plant May 12 – Jul 7
Rosemary	Plant Apr 1 – May 20	Plant Mar 15 – May 3	Plant Apr 1 – May 20	Plant Apr 15 – Jun 3	Plant May 12 – Jun 30
Thyme	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Mar 15 – May 10	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Apr 15 – Jun 10	Plant May 12 – Jul 7
Oregano	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Mar 15 – May 10	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Apr 15 – Jun 10	Plant May 12 – Jul 7
Sunflowers	Plant May 15 – Jun 26	Plant May 10 – Jun 21	Plant May 3 – Jun 14	Plant May 15 – Jun 26	—
Sweet peas	—	—	—	Plant Apr 1 – May 6	Plant Apr 28 – Jun 2
Apple trees	Plant Mar 25 – May 20	—	Plant Mar 20 – May 15	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Apr 28 – Jun 23
Pear trees	Plant Mar 25 – May 20	—	Plant Mar 20 – May 15	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Apr 28 – Jun 23
Plum trees	Plant Mar 25 – May 20	—	Plant Mar 20 – May 15	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Apr 28 – Jun 23
Cherry trees	Plant Mar 25 – May 20	—	Plant Mar 20 – May 15	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Apr 28 – Jun 23
Fig trees	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Mar 15 – May 10	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Apr 15 – Jun 10	Plant May 12 – Jul 7
Peach trees	Plant Mar 25 – May 20	—	Plant Mar 20 – May 15	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Apr 28 – Jun 23
Hazelnut trees	Plant Mar 25 – May 20	—	Plant Mar 20 – May 15	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Apr 28 – Jun 23
Blackberries	Plant Mar 25 – May 13	—	Plant Mar 20 – May 8	Plant Apr 1 – May 20	Plant Apr 28 – Jun 16
Grapes	Plant Mar 25 – May 20	—	Plant Mar 20 – May 15	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Apr 28 – Jun 23
Hardy kiwi	Plant Apr 1 – May 20	Plant Mar 15 – May 3	Plant Apr 1 – May 20	Plant Apr 15 – Jun 3	Plant May 12 – Jun 30
Artichokes	Plant Apr 1 – May 13	—	Plant Apr 1 – May 13	Plant Apr 15 – May 27	Plant May 12 – Jun 23
Huckleberries	Plant Mar 25 – May 20	—	Plant Mar 20 – May 15	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Apr 28 – Jun 23
Oregon grape	Plant Mar 25 – May 20	—	Plant Mar 20 – May 15	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Apr 28 – Jun 23
Red-flowering currant	Plant Mar 25 – May 20	—	Plant Mar 20 – May 15	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Apr 28 – Jun 23
Serviceberry	Plant Mar 25 – May 20	—	Plant Mar 20 – May 15	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Apr 28 – Jun 23
Lavender	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Mar 15 – May 10	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Apr 15 – Jun 10	Plant May 12 – Jul 7
Tomatillos	Plant May 20 – Jun 17	Plant May 15 – Jun 12	Plant May 1–29	Plant May 20 – Jun 17	—
Zinnias	Plant May 15 – Jun 26	Plant May 10 – Jun 21	Plant May 3 – Jun 14	Plant May 15 – Jun 26	—
Collards	Plant Apr 1 – May 13	—	Plant Apr 1 – May 13	Plant Apr 15 – May 27	Plant May 12 – Jun 23
Parsnips	Plant Apr 1 – May 13	—	Plant Apr 1 – May 13	Plant Apr 15 – May 27	Plant May 12 – Jun 23
Celery	Plant May 20 – Jun 24	Plant May 15 – Jun 19	Plant May 1 – Jun 5	Plant May 20 – Jun 24	—
Ground cherries	Plant May 20 – Jun 17	Plant May 15 – Jun 12	Plant May 1–29	Plant May 20 – Jun 17	Start indoors Apr 21 – May 5
Sweet potatoes	—	Plant May 25 – Jun 15	Plant May 10–31	Plant May 30 – Jun 20	—
Pumpkins	Plant May 20 – Jun 10	Plant May 15 – Jun 5	Plant May 1–22	Plant May 20 – Jun 10	Start indoors May 12–19
Honeyberries	Plant Mar 25 – May 20	—	Plant Mar 20 – May 15	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Apr 28 – Jun 23
Currants	Plant Mar 25 – May 20	—	Plant Mar 20 – May 15	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Apr 28 – Jun 23
Gooseberries	Plant Mar 25 – May 20	—	Plant Mar 20 – May 15	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Apr 28 – Jun 23
Elderberries	Plant Mar 25 – May 20	—	Plant Mar 20 – May 15	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Apr 28 – Jun 23
Mustard greens	Plant Mar 25 – May 6	—	Plant Mar 20 – May 1	Plant Apr 1 – May 13	Plant Apr 28 – Jun 9
Mâche	—	—	—	Plant Apr 1 – May 6	Plant Apr 28 – Jun 2
Radicchio	Plant Apr 1 – May 6	—	Plant Apr 1 – May 6	Plant Apr 15 – May 20	Plant May 12 – Jun 16
Sorrel	Plant Mar 25 – May 20	—	Plant Mar 20 – May 15	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Apr 28 – Jun 23
Horseradish	Plant Mar 25 – May 6	—	Plant Mar 20 – May 1	Plant Apr 1 – May 13	Plant Apr 28 – Jun 9
Sage	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Mar 15 – May 10	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Apr 15 – Jun 10	Plant May 12 – Jul 7
Lemon balm	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Mar 15 – May 10	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Apr 15 – Jun 10	Plant May 12 – Jul 7
Tarragon	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Mar 15 – May 10	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Apr 15 – Jun 10	Plant May 12 – Jul 7
Cosmos	Plant May 15 – Jun 26	Plant May 10 – Jun 21	Plant May 3 – Jun 14	Plant May 15 – Jun 26	Start indoors May 5–19
Nasturtiums	Plant May 15 – Jun 26	Plant May 10 – Jun 21	Plant May 3 – Jun 14	Plant May 15 – Jun 26	—
Marigolds	Plant May 20 – Jun 24	Plant May 15 – Jun 19	Plant May 1 – Jun 5	Plant May 20 – Jun 24	Start indoors Apr 28 – May 12
Calendula	Plant Apr 1 – May 20	Plant Mar 15 – May 3	Plant Apr 1 – May 20	Plant Apr 15 – Jun 3	Plant May 12 – Jun 30
Ranunculus	Plant Apr 1 – May 6	—	Plant Apr 1 – May 6	Plant Apr 15 – May 20	Plant May 12 – Jun 16
Snapdragons	Plant Apr 1 – May 13	—	Plant Apr 1 – May 13	Plant Apr 15 – May 27	Plant May 12 – Jun 23
Persimmon trees	Plant Mar 25 – May 20	—	Plant Mar 20 – May 15	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Apr 28 – Jun 23
Asian pear trees	Plant Mar 25 – May 20	—	Plant Mar 20 – May 15	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Apr 28 – Jun 23
Quince trees	Plant Mar 25 – May 20	—	Plant Mar 20 – May 15	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Apr 28 – Jun 23
Mulberry trees	Plant Mar 25 – May 20	—	Plant Mar 20 – May 15	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Apr 28 – Jun 23
Thimbleberry	Plant Mar 25 – May 20	—	Plant Mar 20 – May 15	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Apr 28 – Jun 23
Salmonberry	Plant Mar 25 – May 20	—	Plant Mar 20 – May 15	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Apr 28 – Jun 23
Salal	Plant Mar 25 – May 20	—	Plant Mar 20 – May 15	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Apr 28 – Jun 23
Kinnikinnick	Plant Mar 25 – May 20	—	Plant Mar 20 – May 15	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Apr 28 – Jun 23
Western columbine	Plant Mar 25 – May 20	—	Plant Mar 20 – May 15	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Apr 28 – Jun 23
Douglas aster	Plant Mar 25 – May 20	—	Plant Mar 20 – May 15	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Apr 28 – Jun 23
Oregon sunshine	Plant Mar 25 – May 20	—	Plant Mar 20 – May 15	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Apr 28 – Jun 23
Pacific ninebark	Plant Mar 25 – May 20	—	Plant Mar 20 – May 15	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Apr 28 – Jun 23
Sword fern	Plant Mar 25 – May 20	—	Plant Mar 20 – May 15	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Apr 28 – Jun 23
Oregon iris	Plant Mar 25 – May 20	—	Plant Mar 20 – May 15	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Apr 28 – Jun 23

Dates are for one typical town in each region: Astoria, Portland, Pendleton, Spokane and Bend and Redmond. Plant now shows your own town's dates.

May jobs

Plant and sow

Plant tomatoes, peppers and squash once nights stay above 50°F and the soil is warm. West-side valleys
Sow beans, corn and cucumbers when the soil reaches about 60°F.
Plant warm crops early in the month. East-side valleys
Transplant warm crops late in the month with frost cover ready. High desert and Inland Northwest
Keep sowing lettuce, radishes and carrots every two to three weeks.
Sow basil outside, or set out basil starts, once nights are warm.

Start indoors

Start fall broccoli, cabbage and Brussels sprouts late in the month for summer transplanting.

Harvest

Lettuce, spinach, radishes, peas (late in the month) and green onions.
Strawberries start late in the month. West-side valleys
Asparagus until the spears get thin.

Garden care

Mulch around plants after the soil warms, to hold moisture and smother weeds.
Thin carrots and beets sown in spring.
Stake or cage tomatoes at planting time.
Start regular watering as rain tapers off; water deeply, not often.

Pests and problems

Cover young squash and cucumbers with row cover until they flower, to stop cucumber beetles.
Check the undersides of brassica leaves for cabbage worm eggs and caterpillars.
Hand-pick slugs on damp evenings. West-side valleys

Fruit, berries and flowers

Pinch out the first strawberry runners so plants put energy into fruit.
Net blueberries and cherries before they ripen; birds find them fast.
Plant out dahlias and other summer bulbs.