Grayson West
May is almost here, and that means it’s the perfect time to get seedlings in the ground for a bountiful summer harvest. A little prep now will set your garden up for weeks of fresh, homegrown flavor. So, which crops thrive when planted this month? Let’s dig in.
Basil
Basil plants flourish with frequent trimming, eagerly soaking up the sun. They fill in fast, offering fragrant leaves perfect for fresh sauces, salads, and more. Keep the soil moist, harvest generously, and enjoy a plant that grows fuller with every snip.
Peppers
Whether you love it sweet or like it a little fiery, peppers love May’s rising temperatures. The trick is letting them ripen fully; they’ll sweeten and deepen in flavor the longer they hang on the vine. Give them enough sun and well-drained soil, and you’ll be snacking on crisp, homegrown heat all season.
Tomatoes
Tomato plants ask for two things—steady support and plenty of sun. Planting in May gives them enough of a head start before the heat sets in. And if you’re already growing basil in your garden, tomatoes are the perfect companion plant to enhance the flavor and repel insects. Provide them with room and patience, and they’ll deliver.
Zucchini
A single zucchini plant has no shortage of ambition. Once the flowers bloom, the fruit seems to multiply overnight. By mid-summer, you’ll have more than enough for grilling, baking, and swapping with neighbors. Keep the vines well-watered and let them sprawl—they’re generous producers when given space.
Strawberries
Fresh strawberries straight from the garden taste like candy—and you get bragging rights because they’re perennials. Plant June-bearing varieties in spring, and they’ll return year after year, producing a bigger harvest each season. Keep the patch weeded and watered; by early summer, you’ll be plucking handfuls daily.
Cucumbers
Cucumbers practically race toward harvest once they’ve taken root in warm soil. With a trellis, they’ll climb effortlessly, rewarding you with crisp fruits ideal for slicing, snacking, or pickling. Consistent watering keeps them tender, and with a little attention, they’ll keep producing all summer long.
Green Beans
Pole or bush, green beans reward you for keeping up with regular harvesting. So, do it regularly, and they won’t stop producing. Even better, they’re low maintenance—just sun, steady watering, and they’ll do their thing. There’s nothing quite like snapping off fresh beans and tossing them straight into a skillet for dinner.
Melons
Melons need room to stretch, so give them space and the sun, and they’ll appreciate your patience. Watermelons and cantaloupes love heat, but they also take their time to grow. The beauty of this is that it isn’t in vain—they’ll surprise you with the sweetest fruits at summer’s peak.
Raspberries
Raspberries thrive in well-drained soil with ample sunlight. Summer-bearing varieties, like Tulameen and Meeker, produce fruit on second-year canes in early summer. Everbearing types like Autumn Bliss and Caroline yield berries from late summer into fall. Regular watering, mulching, and proper pruning ensure a steady supply of these sweet, juicy berries.
Herbs Galore
A cluster of fresh herbs (parsley, dill, cilantro) transforms any meal instantly. Scatter seeds in any spare space or container, and you’ll have an endless supply for months—no more limp bunches from the store. Snip them as needed, let them flourish, and watch your cooking level up effortlessly.