As far as the calendar is concerned, spring is half over, despite the sense for many of us in 2017 that is yet to begin! There are still dozens of seeds to start in May. It can still be cold at night, so some seeds will continue to benefit from starting indoors in a warm room. Most seeds will germinate faster and more evenly if heated from below with a heating mat. Other seeds actually prefer cool soil for germination, and they can be direct sown in May here on the coast.

Start these seeds indoors in May:

AsparagusAsparagus

(start indoors in the first week for transplanting mid-June)

Brussels SproutsBrussels Sprouts

(sow indoors last week in May for early August transplanting)

Cauliflower Cauliflower

(start indoors for transplanting June to August)

Cucumbers Cucumbers

(start them indoors in the second week in May, transplant in June)

Pumpkins Pumpkins
Squash Squash

(start indoors before the 15th for transplanting in June)

Direct sow outdoors in May:

Alyssum Alyssum

(after the 15th)

Amaranth Amaranth

(after the 15th)

Arugula Arugula

(continue direct sowing short rows)

Asclepias Asclepias
Basil Basil

(after the 15th)

Bush Beans Bush Beans
Pole Beans Pole Beans

(after the 15th)

Borage Borage
Broccoli Broccoli
Calendula Calendula
Catnip Catnip
Celery Celery
Celosia Celosia
Chamomile Chamomile
Cilantro Cilantro
Clarkia Clarkia
Cynoglossum Cynoglossum
Dill Dill
Echinacea Echinacea

(after the 15th)

Fennel Fennel
Gaillardia Gaillardia
Gaura Gaura

(before the 15th)

Gypsophila Gypsophila
Iberis Iberis
Kale Kale
Kohlrabi Kohlrabi
Lemon Balm Lemon Balm
Lettuce Lettuce
Mint Mint
Morning Glory Morning Glory
Nasturtiums Nasturtiums
Nemophila Nemophila
Nicotiana Nicotiana
Nigella Nigella
Oregano Oregano

(after the 15th)

Pac Choi Pac Choi
Parsley Parsley

(May is the best time to direct sow parsley seeds)

Parsnips Parsnips
Peas Peas

(up to the end of May)

Phacelia Phacelia
Quinoa Quinoa
Radishes Radishes

(until the 7th)

Scallions Scallions
Spinach Spinach
Sunflowers Sunflowers
Sweet Peas Sweet Peas

(to the end of the month)

Swiss Chard Swiss Chard
Tithonia Tithonia
Turnips Turnips
Verbena Verbena
Veronica Veronica
Wildflowers Wildflowers

(to the end of the month)

Zinnia Zinnia

It’s still too cold at night to transplant tomatoes and tender perennials outdoors without protection. Wait for night time temperatures to be steadily above 10°C (50°F).

If you live outside of our mild coastal growing area, please look to our Regional Planting Charts adjusted to your region.