What to Plant in May in California

Your May planting guide for California (USDA Zones 5–11, typically Zone 9). We've broken out activities by zone — jump to yours below.

Growing season varies across Zones 5–11155–365 days. Pick the zone that matches your part of the state.

🏠

57

Start Indoors

🌿

1374

Transplant Outdoors

🌱

1220

Direct Sow

🧺

923

Harvest

California · Zones 5–11

Zone 9 May guide

Zone 9May in California★ Most of CA

1441 varieties active · Last frost February 15 · 290-day season

🏠 Indoor 57🌿 Transplant 258🌱 Sow 591🧺 Harvest 614
Full Zone 9 guide →

+ 1433 more Zone 9 varieties for May

Zone 8May in California

1764 varieties active · Last frost March 15 · 240-day season

🏠 Indoor 57🌿 Transplant 1265🌱 Sow 889🧺 Harvest 411
Full Zone 8 guide →

+ 1756 more Zone 8 varieties for May

Zone 10May in California

754 varieties active · Last frost January 31 · 320-day season

🏠 Indoor 57🧺 Harvest 754
Full Zone 10 guide →

+ 746 more Zone 10 varieties for May

Zone 7May in California

1837 varieties active · Last frost April 1 · 210-day season

🏠 Indoor 57🌿 Transplant 1359🌱 Sow 1210🧺 Harvest 298
Full Zone 7 guide →

+ 1829 more Zone 7 varieties for May

Zone 11May in California

830 varieties active · Year-round growing

🏠 Indoor 57🧺 Harvest 830
Full Zone 11 guide →

+ 822 more Zone 11 varieties for May

Zone 6May in California

1831 varieties active · Last frost April 15 · 180-day season

🏠 Indoor 57🌿 Transplant 1353🌱 Sow 1210🧺 Harvest 206
Full Zone 6 guide →

+ 1823 more Zone 6 varieties for May

Zone 5May in California

1814 varieties active · Last frost April 30 · 155-day season

🏠 Indoor 57🌿 Transplant 1336🌱 Sow 1207🧺 Harvest 138
Full Zone 5 guide →

+ 1806 more Zone 5 varieties for May

May in Regions Overlapping Zones 5–11

May by Zone

California Monthly Guides