What to Plant in May in Iowa
Here's what you can plant in Iowa during May. Since Iowa spans multiple USDA zones, planting dates vary by location. Find your zone below.
Zone 4b
View full Zone 4b planting guide for May
Transplant Outdoors
- Acorn Squash
- Alpine Strawberries
- Amaranth
- Angelica
- Anise
- Aronia
- Arugula
- Asparagus
- Basil
- Bee Balm
- Belgian Endive
- Blueberries
- Bok Choy
- Borage
- Broccoli
- Broccoli Rabe
- Brussels Sprouts
- Butternut Squash
- Cabbage
- Cantaloupe
- Caraway
- Catnip
- Cauliflower
- Celeriac
- Celery
- Celtuce
- Chamomile
- Chard
- Chervil
- Chickpeas
- Chicory
- Chinese Cabbage
- Chives
- Christmas Lima Beans
- Cilantro
- Collard Greens
- Comfrey
- Cranberries
- Cress
- Crookneck Squash
- Cucumber
- Currants
- Delicata Squash
- Dill
- Echinacea
- Elderberries
- Endive
- Escarole
- Fava Beans
- Fennel
- Fennel (herb)
- Garlic Chives
- Goji Berries
- Gooseberries
- Grapes
- Ground Cherry
- Hardy Kiwi
- Haskaps
- Honeydew
- Horehound
- Horseradish
- Hubbard Squash
- Hyssop
- Jostaberry
- Kabocha
- Kai Lan
- Kale
- Kohlrabi
- Komatsuna
- Leeks
- Lemon Balm
- Lentils
- Lettuce
- Lingonberries
- Lovage
- Mache
- Medlar
- Melon
- Microgreens
- Mint
- Mitsuba
- Mizuna
- Mulberries
- Mustard Greens
- Napa Cabbage
- Onion
- Oregano
- Pac Choi
- Parsley
- Patty Pan Squash
- Peas
- Peppers
- Persimmon
- Pole Beans
- Potatoes
- Pumpkin
- Purslane
- Radicchio
- Raspberries
- Rhubarb
- Romanesco
- Rue
- Sage
- Savory
- Savoy Cabbage
- Scallions
- Scarlet Runner Beans
- Serviceberries
- Shallot
- Shiso
- Snap Peas
- Snow Peas
- Sorrel
- Spaghetti Squash
- Spinach
- Squash (Summer)
- Squash (Winter)
- Strawberries
- Sunchoke
- Sunflower
- Tarragon
- Tatsoi
- Thai Basil
- Thyme
- Tomatillo
- Tomatoes
- Valerian
- Watercress
- Watermelon
- Yarrow
- Zucchini
Direct Sow
- Acorn Squash
- Amaranth
- Angelica
- Anise
- Arugula
- Basil
- Beets
- Belgian Endive
- Black Beans
- Bok Choy
- Borage
- Broccoli
- Broccoli Rabe
- Brussels Sprouts
- Butternut Squash
- Cabbage
- Caraway
- Carrots
- Cauliflower
- Celeriac
- Celery
- Celtuce
- Chamomile
- Chard
- Chervil
- Chickpeas
- Chicory
- Chinese Cabbage
- Christmas Lima Beans
- Cilantro
- Collard Greens
- Corn
- Cress
- Crookneck Squash
- Crosne
- Cucumber
- Daikon
- Delicata Squash
- Dill
- Edamame
- Endive
- Escarole
- Fava Beans
- Fennel
- Fennel (herb)
- Green Beans
- Hubbard Squash
- Kabocha
- Kai Lan
- Kale
- Kidney Beans
- Kohlrabi
- Komatsuna
- Leeks
- Lentils
- Lettuce
- Lima Beans
- Mache
- Melon
- Microgreens
- Mitsuba
- Mizuna
- Mustard Greens
- Napa Cabbage
- Onion
- Pac Choi
- Parsley
- Parsnip
- Patty Pan Squash
- Peas
- Peppers
- Pole Beans
- Potatoes
- Pumpkin
- Purslane
- Radicchio
- Radish
- Romanesco
- Rutabaga
- Salsify
- Savoy Cabbage
- Scallions
- Scarlet Runner Beans
- Shallot
- Shiso
- Snap Peas
- Snow Peas
- Sorrel
- Soybeans
- Spaghetti Squash
- Spinach
- Squash (Summer)
- Squash (Winter)
- Sunflower
- Sweet Corn
- Tatsoi
- Thai Basil
- Tomatillo
- Tomatoes
- Turnip
- Watercress
- Watermelon
- Wax Beans
- Zucchini
Harvest
Zone 5a
View full Zone 5a planting guide for May
Transplant Outdoors
- Acorn Squash
- Alpine Strawberries
- Amaranth
- Angelica
- Anise
- Aronia
- Arugula
- Asparagus
- Basil
- Bee Balm
- Belgian Endive
- Bitter Melon
- Blackberries
- Blueberries
- Bok Choy
- Borage
- Boysenberries
- Broccoli
- Broccoli Rabe
- Brussels Sprouts
- Butternut Squash
- Cabbage
- Calabash
- Cantaloupe
- Caraway
- Catnip
- Cauliflower
- Celeriac
- Celery
- Celtuce
- Chamomile
- Chard
- Che Fruit
- Chervil
- Chickpeas
- Chicory
- Chinese Cabbage
- Chives
- Christmas Lima Beans
- Cilantro
- Collard Greens
- Comfrey
- Cranberries
- Cress
- Crookneck Squash
- Cucumber
- Cumin
- Currants
- Delicata Squash
- Dill
- Echinacea
- Eggplant
- Elderberries
- Endive
- Epazote
- Escarole
- Fava Beans
- Fennel
- Fennel (herb)
- Feverfew
- Garlic Chives
- Goji Berries
- Gooseberries
- Grapes
- Ground Cherry
- Hardy Kiwi
- Haskaps
- Honeydew
- Horehound
- Horseradish
- Hot Peppers
- Hubbard Squash
- Hyssop
- Jostaberry
- Kabocha
- Kai Lan
- Kale
- Kohlrabi
- Komatsuna
- Lavender
- Leeks
- Lemon Balm
- Lemon Thyme
- Lentils
- Lettuce
- Lingonberries
- Lovage
- Mache
- Medlar
- Melon
- Microgreens
- Mint
- Mitsuba
- Mizuna
- Mulberries
- Mustard Greens
- Napa Cabbage
- New Zealand Spinach
- Okra
- Onion
- Oregano
- Pac Choi
- Parsley
- Patty Pan Squash
- Pawpaw
- Peas
- Peppers
- Persimmon
- Pole Beans
- Potatoes
- Pumpkin
- Purslane
- Quince
- Radicchio
- Raspberries
- Rhubarb
- Romanesco
- Rue
- Sage
- Savory
- Savoy Cabbage
- Scallions
- Scarlet Runner Beans
- Serviceberries
- Shallot
- Shiso
- Snap Peas
- Snow Peas
- Sorrel
- Spaghetti Squash
- Spinach
- Squash (Summer)
- Squash (Winter)
- Strawberries
- Sunchoke
- Sunflower
- Sweet Potatoes
- Tarragon
- Tatsoi
- Thai Basil
- Thyme
- Tomatillo
- Tomatoes
- Valerian
- Watercress
- Watermelon
- Winter Melon
- Yard Long Beans
- Yarrow
- Zucchini
Direct Sow
- Acorn Squash
- Amaranth
- Angelica
- Anise
- Arugula
- Basil
- Beets
- Belgian Endive
- Bitter Melon
- Black Beans
- Bok Choy
- Borage
- Broccoli
- Broccoli Rabe
- Brussels Sprouts
- Butternut Squash
- Cabbage
- Calabash
- Caraway
- Carrots
- Cauliflower
- Celeriac
- Celery
- Celtuce
- Chamomile
- Chard
- Chervil
- Chickpeas
- Chicory
- Chinese Cabbage
- Christmas Lima Beans
- Cilantro
- Collard Greens
- Corn
- Cowpeas
- Cress
- Crookneck Squash
- Crosne
- Cucumber
- Cumin
- Daikon
- Delicata Squash
- Dill
- Edamame
- Eggplant
- Endive
- Epazote
- Escarole
- Fava Beans
- Fennel
- Fennel (herb)
- Green Beans
- Hot Peppers
- Hubbard Squash
- Kabocha
- Kai Lan
- Kale
- Kidney Beans
- Kohlrabi
- Komatsuna
- Leeks
- Lentils
- Lettuce
- Lima Beans
- Mache
- Melon
- Microgreens
- Mitsuba
- Mizuna
- Mustard Greens
- Napa Cabbage
- New Zealand Spinach
- Okra
- Onion
- Pac Choi
- Parsley
- Parsnip
- Patty Pan Squash
- Peas
- Peppers
- Pole Beans
- Potatoes
- Pumpkin
- Purslane
- Radicchio
- Radish
- Romanesco
- Rutabaga
- Salsify
- Savoy Cabbage
- Scallions
- Scarlet Runner Beans
- Shallot
- Shiso
- Snap Peas
- Snow Peas
- Sorrel
- Soybeans
- Spaghetti Squash
- Spinach
- Squash (Summer)
- Squash (Winter)
- Sunflower
- Sweet Corn
- Sweet Potatoes
- Tatsoi
- Thai Basil
- Tomatillo
- Tomatoes
- Turnip
- Watercress
- Watermelon
- Wax Beans
- Winter Melon
- Yard Long Beans
- Zucchini
Harvest
Zone 5b
View full Zone 5b planting guide for May
Transplant Outdoors
- Acorn Squash
- Alpine Strawberries
- Amaranth
- Aronia
- Arugula
- Asparagus
- Basil
- Bee Balm
- Belgian Endive
- Bitter Melon
- Blackberries
- Blueberries
- Bok Choy
- Boysenberries
- Broccoli
- Broccoli Rabe
- Brussels Sprouts
- Butternut Squash
- Cabbage
- Calabash
- Cantaloupe
- Catnip
- Cauliflower
- Celeriac
- Celery
- Celtuce
- Chard
- Che Fruit
- Chickpeas
- Chicory
- Chinese Cabbage
- Chives
- Christmas Lima Beans
- Collard Greens
- Comfrey
- Cranberries
- Cress
- Crookneck Squash
- Cucumber
- Currants
- Delicata Squash
- Echinacea
- Eggplant
- Elderberries
- Endive
- Epazote
- Escarole
- Fava Beans
- Fennel
- Feverfew
- Garlic Chives
- Goji Berries
- Gooseberries
- Grapes
- Ground Cherry
- Hardy Kiwi
- Haskaps
- Honeydew
- Horehound
- Horseradish
- Hot Peppers
- Hubbard Squash
- Hyssop
- Jostaberry
- Kabocha
- Kai Lan
- Kale
- Kohlrabi
- Komatsuna
- Lavender
- Leeks
- Lemon Balm
- Lemon Thyme
- Lentils
- Lettuce
- Lingonberries
- Lovage
- Mache
- Medlar
- Melon
- Microgreens
- Mint
- Mizuna
- Mulberries
- Mustard Greens
- Napa Cabbage
- New Zealand Spinach
- Okra
- Onion
- Oregano
- Pac Choi
- Patty Pan Squash
- Pawpaw
- Peas
- Peppers
- Persimmon
- Pole Beans
- Potatoes
- Pumpkin
- Purslane
- Quince
- Radicchio
- Raspberries
- Rhubarb
- Romanesco
- Rue
- Sage
- Savory
- Savoy Cabbage
- Scallions
- Scarlet Runner Beans
- Serviceberries
- Shallot
- Shiso
- Snap Peas
- Snow Peas
- Spaghetti Squash
- Spinach
- Squash (Summer)
- Squash (Winter)
- Strawberries
- Sunchoke
- Sunflower
- Sweet Potatoes
- Tarragon
- Tatsoi
- Thai Basil
- Thyme
- Tomatillo
- Tomatoes
- Valerian
- Watercress
- Watermelon
- Winter Melon
- Yard Long Beans
- Yarrow
- Zucchini
Direct Sow
- Acorn Squash
- Amaranth
- Basil
- Bitter Melon
- Black Beans
- Butternut Squash
- Calabash
- Christmas Lima Beans
- Corn
- Cowpeas
- Crookneck Squash
- Cucumber
- Delicata Squash
- Edamame
- Eggplant
- Epazote
- Fennel
- Green Beans
- Hot Peppers
- Hubbard Squash
- Kabocha
- Kidney Beans
- Lima Beans
- Melon
- New Zealand Spinach
- Okra
- Patty Pan Squash
- Peppers
- Pole Beans
- Potatoes
- Pumpkin
- Scarlet Runner Beans
- Shiso
- Snap Peas
- Soybeans
- Spaghetti Squash
- Squash (Summer)
- Squash (Winter)
- Sunflower
- Sweet Corn
- Sweet Potatoes
- Thai Basil
- Tomatillo
- Tomatoes
- Watermelon
- Wax Beans
- Winter Melon
- Yard Long Beans
- Zucchini