The final window for starting tender crops indoors and the first real outdoor season for summer vegetables across the UK.
Plan every month with the UK vegetable planting calendar.
Sow Indoors
French beans, runner beans (for early planting out), basil, outdoor cucumbers, salad leaves
Sow Outdoors
Beetroot, carrots, peas, spinach, chard, lettuce, radishes, spring onions, kale, turnips, swede, herbs
Plant Out
Courgettes, squash, tomatoes (under cover first), leeks, summer cabbages, Brussels sprouts, celery, celeriac (after hardening off)
Harvest Now
Asparagus (first cuts), spring cabbages, spinach, salads, radishes, rhubarb, early potatoes (from late May)
What to Sow in May
French Beans (Indoors or Direct Outdoors)
From early May indoors or late May directly outdoors. Sow 5cm deep, one seed per 7.5cm pot indoors, or 10cm apart in drills outdoors. Soil temperature must be at least 12°C for outdoor sowing. Successional sowing every 3 weeks through to July gives continuous harvests from July to October.
Runner Beans (Indoors)
Sow runner beans indoors in May, one bean per 7.5cm pot. They grow quickly and can be planted out in late May or early June once hardened off and frost risk has passed. Erect supports (2m canes or poles) before planting out — runner beans can reach 3m. See our when to plant runner beans UK guide.
Kale and Turnips (Outdoors)
May is a good time to sow kale for autumn and winter harvests. Sow in modules or a seedbed and transplant to final positions in July. Turnips sown in May provide roots from August. Both are fast-growing and fill gaps between other crops.
What to Plant Out in May
Tomatoes (Under Cover First)
Tomatoes can be planted into an unheated greenhouse or polytunnel from early May. For outdoor growing, wait until late May or early June after the last frost. Harden off plants thoroughly before moving outside — even a mild frost will kill young tomato plants. See our when to plant tomatoes UK guide.
Courgettes and Squash
Plant courgettes, squash, and pumpkins outdoors from late May once all frost risk has passed. Space courgettes 90cm apart — they spread widely. Water deeply after planting and mulch around the base to retain moisture. Protect with fleece if cold nights are forecast in the first week.
Leeks (Transplant)
Leek seedlings sown in January or February should be pencil-thick by May and ready to transplant. Make 15cm deep holes with a dibber, drop one seedling per hole, and water in without backfilling. Space 15–23cm apart in rows 30cm apart. See our when to plant leeks UK guide.
What to Harvest in May
- Asparagus — peak season; cut spears when 15–20cm tall for 6–8 weeks
- Rhubarb — main outdoor harvest season begins
- Spring cabbages — at their best in May; harvest as whole heads before they bolt
- Radishes — fast crops sown in March and April ready now
- Lettuce and salad leaves — first outdoor cut-and-come-again harvests
- Early potatoes — from late May in the south, when plants have flowered
Plan Your Whole Growing Season
Month-by-month sowing and harvest guides for every UK vegetable and salad crop.
Get the UK Garden Planner →What To Plant In May UK
In May, UK gardeners can sow beetroot, carrots, lettuce, radishes, French beans, runner beans, courgettes, cucumbers, pumpkins, squash, spinach and sweetcorn. You can start winter brassicas, late courgettes, cucumbers, squash, herbs and succession lettuce under cover, plant out tomatoes, sweetcorn, courgettes, pumpkins, squash, beans, brassicas and salads after frost risk has passed, and harvest lettuce, radishes, spinach, spring onions, early herbs, rhubarb and overwintered greens.
| May task | Good UK options | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sow outdoors | Beetroot, carrots, lettuce, radishes, french beans, runner beans, courgettes, cucumbers, pumpkins, squash, spinach and sweetcorn. | Check soil moisture and local frost risk before sowing. |
| Seeds to start indoors or under cover | Winter brassicas, late courgettes, cucumbers, squash, herbs and succession lettuce. | Protected sowings help you control temperature, pests and watering. |
| Vegetables to plant out | Tomatoes, sweetcorn, courgettes, pumpkins, squash, beans, brassicas and salads after frost risk has passed. | Water transplants well and protect young plants where weather or pests are likely. |
| What to harvest | Lettuce, radishes, spinach, spring onions, early herbs, rhubarb and overwintered greens. | Harvest little and often, then record what clears space for the next crop. |
Vegetables to sow outdoors in May
Sow beetroot, carrots, lettuce, radishes, French beans, runner beans, courgettes, cucumbers, pumpkins, squash, spinach and sweetcorn. Use small repeat sowings where possible so the harvest is easier to manage and gaps do not sit empty.
Seeds to start indoors or under cover
Start winter brassicas, late courgettes, cucumbers, squash, herbs and succession lettuce under cover. This is useful when outdoor conditions are too cold, too dry, too exposed or too pest-prone for reliable germination.
Vegetables to plant out
Plant out tomatoes, sweetcorn, courgettes, pumpkins, squash, beans, brassicas and salads after frost risk has passed. Match the planting window to your local weather and give new plants enough water while roots establish.
What to harvest in May
Harvest lettuce, radishes, spinach, spring onions, early herbs, rhubarb and overwintered greens. Keep notes on what performed well so next year's plan is based on your own garden rather than memory.
Jobs for the vegetable garden in May
Harden off tender plants, water new transplants, start succession sowing and protect brassicas from pests.
Common mistakes in May
Avoid planting tender crops before the last frost, forgetting to water transplants and leaving no space for summer crops.
Printable monthly checklist
For May, write down four columns: sow outdoors, start under cover, plant out and harvest. Add one line for weather notes, one for bed space, and one for the next crop so the month turns into a practical plan.
Related UK planting guides
Use the vegetable planting calendar UK, compare what to plant in April UK and what to plant in June UK, then check how to grow sweetcorn UK, how to grow radishes UK and how to grow spring onions UK.
FAQ section
What vegetables can I plant in May in the UK?
In May, UK gardeners can sow beetroot, carrots, lettuce, radishes, French beans, runner beans, courgettes, cucumbers, pumpkins, squash, spinach and sweetcorn. You can start winter brassicas, late courgettes, cucumbers, squash, herbs and succession lettuce under cover, plant out tomatoes, sweetcorn, courgettes, pumpkins, squash, beans, brassicas and salads after frost risk has passed, and harvest lettuce, radishes, spinach, spring onions, early herbs, rhubarb and overwintered greens.
What seeds can I sow outdoors in May?
In May, outdoor options include beetroot, carrots, lettuce, radishes, French beans, runner beans, courgettes, cucumbers, pumpkins, squash, spinach and sweetcorn. Adjust the list for your local soil, weather, frost risk and available protection.
Is May safe for planting tender vegetables outside?
Often, but not always. Plant tender crops outside only after your local frost risk has passed and plants have been hardened off gradually.
Turn This Month's Jobs Into A Plan
Month-by-month advice works best when it becomes a written sowing list, bed plan, and follow-up task list.
Plan the next step
Use the printable UK Vegetable Garden Planner to turn this guide into sowing dates, bed layouts, and weekly garden tasks.