Home gardening has become increasingly popular in Texas, with many Texans devoting time to their gardens throughout the year.
Depending on the time of year, you can choose from a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, and other plants. However, knowing when to plant is the first step toward a fruitful crop.
The growing season in Texas typically lasts from January 1 to October 15, though these dates are flexible. The planting season can begin as late as the middle of April and end anywhere from October 15 to December 31.
But for the purposes of this article, let’s focus on planting in May. If you’re considering creating space in your garden, here are some suggestions for what to plant this month.
Table of Contents
Last and First Frost Dates in Texas
Planting seeds or transplanting plants at the correct time is essential to get the most out of your garden.
Knowing when the first and last frosts will occur will help you start your plant-based seeds at the appropriate time.
Remember that Texas is in USDA plant hardiness zones 6–9, so if you are looking for specific plant climate conditions, it is always beneficial to use this knowledge as a starting point for further detailed research.
| City | Last Frost Date | First Frost Date |
| Arlington | 3/21 | 11/14 |
| Austin | 2/17 | 11/5 |
| Corpus Christi | 2/1 | 12/21 |
| Dallas | 3/21 | 11/14 |
| El Paso | 3/24 | 11/8 |
| Fort Worth | 3/21 | 11/14 |
| Laredo | 2/9 | 12/5 |
| Houston | 3/1 | 11/29 |
| Plano | 3/20 | 11/13 |
| San Antonio | 3/20 | 11/12 |
Vegetables to Plant in May in Texas
Transplants seedlings:
- Tomato
- Eggplant
- Pepper
- Sweet potato
It’s not too late to enjoy tomatoes from your vegetable garden this year if you don’t have tomato seedlings to put in the ground yet.
Seeds sown in May will produce a second crop of summer tomatoes.
If you get a head start now, you may plant the seedlings in July and have a healthy harvest before the frost hits mid-November.
Sow seed for:
- Snap Beans
- Lima Beans
- Okra
- Beets
- Cantaloupe
- Sweet Corn
- Sweet Potatoes
- Tomato
- Watermelon
- Pumpkin
- Winter squash
- Melons
- Eggplant
- New Zealand spinach
- Warm-season greens
- Southern peas
- Spring onion
14 Herbs to Plant in May in Texas
Herbs used in the kitchen are easy to care for and can greatly improve the taste and nutritional value of your cuisine.
As a result of their low maintenance requirements and consistent yields, herbs are an excellent option for new gardeners.
- Fennel
- Mexican mint marigold
- Horseradish
- Lemongrass
- Lemon balm
- Lemon verbena
- Bay laurel
- Peppermint
- Oregano
- Rosemary
- Thyme
- Basil
- Catnip
- Comfrey
20 Flowers to Grow in May in Texas
Zinnias, marigolds, and sunflowers are some of the greatest summer flowers in Texas since they do well in full sun and tolerate high temperatures.
More heat-resistant choices are Lantana, black-eyed Susans, and Salvia. All of these attractive flowers can withstand high temperatures.
The hot Texas heat doesn’t seem to bother these plants at all, and they even flower magnificently. Others include:
- Coneflowers
- Petunia
- Morning Glory
- Daisy
- Portulaca
- Lily
- Cosmos
- Periwinkles
- Fall Aster
- Cape Plumbago
- Ornamental gourds
- Periwinkles
- Cannas
- Dahlias
General May Planting Tips
The weather in May shifts from milder to hotter temperatures. If you need to plant anything, now is the time to do so, specifically in the first part of May.
1. Water
- Don’t forget to water and mulch your plants. As we get into summer, watering becomes increasingly essential.
- In preparation for future water shortages, water plants more thoroughly but less frequently to promote deep roots.
2. Soil
- To prevent weeds and keep the soil moist, spread a layer of compost and then cover the area with mulch.
3. Maintenance
- Never let weeds go to seed by not keeping up with weeding.
- Use fertilizer in accordance with the results of a soil test.
- Prepare flower and vegetable gardens for the summer by installing drip irrigation systems.
- In the morning, take a stroll through the garden and remove any stink bugs or largus bugs you find. Their eggs can be found hidden under the leaves.
4. Transplant
- To give bedding plants time to establish deep roots before the arrival of heat waves, it’s best to plant them at the beginning of the month.
Final Thoughts
Beginning a garden project at the wrong time of the year is the most likely way to ensure its failure. Planning, preparing, and planting at the right time of year is essential for success.
This article contains a selection of flowers, vegetables, and herbs that can be planted in May and, in addition, are best suited to the weather conditions that are typical in Texas.
But putting seeds or seedlings in the ground is just the beginning.
Watering, fertilizing, and weeding your garden on a regular basis is compulsory if you want to enjoy a lush, green garden full of colorful flowers, delicious veggies, and aromatic herbs.
Resources
- https://www.floridayards.org/when-to-plant-a-vegetable-garden-in-texas/
- https://www.ufseeds.com/texas-vegetable-planting-calendar.html
- https://travis-tx.tamu.edu/about-2/horticulture/monthly-gardening-calendar-for-austin-area/may-gardening-checklist-for-austin-and-central-texas/
- https://www.centraltexasgardener.org/resource/may-to-do-list/
- https://a-z-animals.com/blog/the-best-flowers-to-plant-in-texas-flowers-that-survive-heat-waves/
- https://www.calloways.com/plants-flowers-texas/hot-summer-plants/
- https://thegardeningdad.com/best-flowers-to-plant-in-may-in-texas/