Weekly Planting Guide: Early May Tips And Tricks

Here's tips on what to plant, when to plant it and tools you'll need for peak growing season.

Atmosphere by The Weather Channel curates products and services for all seasons. If you buy something from one of our links, we may earn a commission.

“Inch by inch, row by row / Gonna make this garden grow,” sings John Denver, and this month it’s our cue to grab our rake and hoe. Trees and grass are greening, and while we’re still seeing some cold weather (including more snow in the Rockies), May is one of the busiest seasons for gardeners.

So while I can’t claim to have the greenest thumb in the South, gardening prime time is in full swing as we look into our May planting and harvesting season. From planting your warm-season crops, protecting your seedlings and keeping your veggies well watered, we’re outlining some key tips and tricks to keep your garden growing.

Whether you’re a beginner planter or a gardening expert, we’re breaking down the early May gardening calendar, along with a few useful products that can help you keep your garden prepped all season long.

Gardening Outlook: May Planning

As we discussed in our April planting guide, temperatures just started to warm and it meant soil temperatures will be steadily increasing (in most areas of the country, at least). April was the time for soil preparation tasks, including hardening your seedlings to prepare for outdoor conditions, mulching and planting your choice of “cool season” vegetables like lettuce, kale or onions.

So what does that leave for May?

Shop Spring Gardening Equipment: The Weather Channel Storefront on Amazon

May Weekly Calendar

Early May (Weeks 1-2)

Begin transitioning to warm-season crops like beans, corn, cucumbers, melons, spinach, sunflowers, marigolds, basil, etc. Make a second planting within two to three weeks of the first planting.
Install support structures for climbing plants (like pole beans)
Pest monitoring and organic control strategies
Water and mulch as needed

Now is the time to start planting some of your warm-season crops, which will likely require multiple plantings. It’s time to prep your beds to make sure your seedlings won’t be starved out by unexpected weeds, and it wouldn’t be a bad idea to consider aerating the soil with a garden fork.

If you’re not focused on a vegetable garden this season and prefer to look ahead at summer flowers, consider marigolds, hibiscus, black-eyed susans or petunias. Lavender, sunflowers and zinnias are just a few favorite pollinator-friendly summer plants.

It’s also nearing the end of the season when you can safely plant fruit trees before the summer arrives, so if you didn’t make it in time for fall planting season, it’s the final call to allow them enough time to establish roots.

Dwarf Blenheim Apricot Tree — Dwarf Apricot Tree
(The Home Depot)

Mid- To Late May (Weeks 3-4)

Complete warm-season crop plantings
Thinning seedlings and spacing adjustments
Irrigation setup for areas that experience hot, dry summers
Second round of fertilization for heavy feeders – wait until certain plants are flowering, and be sure to wait a few weeks between applications depending on the type of crop

For the remaining few weeks, focus on completing your warm-season plantings. After your initial planting, some of your rows may require thinning to reduce competition for resources (especially vegetables like beets, radishes, tomatoes and peppers).

Pests are also a fact of life, but pesticides may not be the answer – we want to keep beneficial insects (like bees and butterflies) coming back for that sweet, sweet pollen. One source suggested using garden mesh fabric to help control pests before they have a chance to get started, as well as provide some shade from harsh weather conditions.

Gardening Products And Planters: May 2025

1. Garden Netting Pest Barrier

Price: $6.23, was $7.99 at Amazon (4’ x 10’ net)

Shop It: Amazon

Features:

Bug barrier to protect plants from pests and animals like cicadas and carrot fly
Made from high-density polyethylene
UV-resistant; weaving that is durable and won’t unravel
Allows water and light to enter through net

2. Rain Bird Landscape and Garden Drip Watering Kit

Price: $45.56 at The Home Depot

Shop It: The Home Depot

Features:

Complete drip irrigation starter kit, running tubing and drippers from an outside faucet to the planting area
Eliminates watering by hand
Waters up to 22 plants
Comes with: 10 one gallon/hour drippers, 10 two gallon/hour drippers, 2 micro bubblers, 4 micro sprays, 50 feet of tubing, 50 feet of quarter-inch tubing, faucet connection, pressure regulator and fittings

3. Fiskars Ergo Cultivator for Digging, Aerating Soil and Weeding

Price: $5.39, was $12.99 at Amazon

Shop It: Amazon

Features:

Heavy-duty ergonomic hand cultivator
Ideal for digging in tough soil, aerating and removing weeds
Cast-aluminum head and tines

4. Garden 4-Tine Spading Fork

Price: $31.99 at Amazon

Shop It: Amazon

Features:

Ideal for: Lifting bulbs, digging new beds, transplants, composting
Made from metal and hardwood handle
Weighs 4.5 pounds

5. Geobin Compost Bin (246 Gallon)

Price: $35.99 at Amazon

Shop It: Amazon

Features:

Ventilation and adjustable size
BPA-free material, made from high-density polyethylene, according to company
Ideal for composting food scraps, yard waste, leaves, grass clippings, cardboard and manure
Composting ready in 2 months