Seasonal Action Guide
What to Do in the Garden in May (Warm-Climate US)
The short answer
May is when the warm-climate garden pivots from planting to producing. Spring-planted tomatoes, squash, beans, and cucumbers start coming in heavily across zones 8-10, while the only new vegetables worth planting are the true heat lovers: okra, southern peas, sweet potatoes, and peppers. Coastal California gardeners, on a milder rhythm, are just setting out their main tomato and pepper transplants this month.
Heat and pest management begin in earnest. Florida and Texas extension calendars flag chinch bugs in St. Augustinegrass from May onward, irrigation moves to deep and less frequent, and UF/IFAS recommends checking and pruning trees now to prepare for hurricane season.
Plant and sow
- Plant the heat specialists: okra, southern peas (cowpeas), sweet potato slips, peppers, and eggplant.
- Coastal California: set out main-season tomato, pepper, and squash transplants now (UC Master Gardener monthly tips).
- Replace bolting cool-season herbs with basil and other heat-tolerant herbs.
- Plant heat-proof annuals — vinca, zinnia, coleus, daylilies — for summer color.
- Succession-sow okra and southern peas into June for continuous pods.
Maintain and protect
- Watch St. Augustinegrass for chinch bug damage — irregular yellowing patches in hot, sunny areas (UF/IFAS May guidance).
- Water deeply and less often; morning irrigation reduces disease.
- Prune and assess trees before hurricane season; remove weak or crossing limbs.
- Keep tomatoes evenly watered to limit blossom-end rot; maintain mulch.
- Scout squash for vine borer entry holes and pick off pests by hand where practical.
Harvest
- Pick squash, cucumbers, and beans every day or two — they outgrow prime size fast in heat.
- Harvest the first ripe tomatoes and peppers in the lower South.
- Dig spring potatoes as tops yellow in the Gulf South; pull onions when tops fall over.
Sources
Reviewed 2026-07-18. We cite university Extension, government, and established horticultural sources — and never invent pesticide rates or dangerous treatments.
- UF/IFAS Extension — North Florida Gardening Calendar (EP451) — May: continue warm-season vegetables; watch for chinch bugs in St. Augustinegrass; prepare trees for hurricane season
- UC Master Gardeners of Sacramento County — Monthly Vegetable Gardening Tips — California month-by-month vegetable tasks, including main warm-season transplanting in late spring
- LSU AgCenter — Louisiana Vegetable Planting Guide (Pub. 1980) — Gulf South planting windows for heat-tolerant crops (okra, southern peas, sweet potatoes) extending through late spring
Keep going
Garden Tasks for January (Warm-Climate US)
Seasonal Action Guide
Garden Tasks for February (Warm-Climate US)
Seasonal Action Guide
Garden Tasks for March (Warm-Climate US)
Seasonal Action Guide
Garden Tasks for April (Warm-Climate US)
Seasonal Action Guide
Garden Tasks for August (Warm-Climate US)
Seasonal Action Guide
Garden Tasks for December (Warm-Climate US)
Seasonal Action Guide
Garden Tasks for July (Warm-Climate US)
Seasonal Action Guide
Garden Tasks for June (Warm-Climate US)
Seasonal Action Guide