10 Crops to Direct Sow in May, Wherever You Live!

In this video I answer the question, "What vegetables can I plant in May?" with my top 10 choices for vegetables to sow in May. Whether you sow these warm season vegetables indoors or outdoors depends on when your average last frost date is for your area. I'll show you how to find your last frost date and how to use it to know when to plant your vegetables.
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GROWING GUIDE VIDEOS FOR THE CROPS MENTIONED
How to Prune & Trellis Tomatoes: • How to Prune & Trellis...
How to Sow Tomato Seeds: • Best Way to Start Toma...
How to Grow Tomatoes: • Grow Lots of Tomatoes....
How to Grow Sweet Potatoes: • Easiest Way to Grow Sw...
How to Grow Summer Squash Vertically to Save Space: • How to Grow Squash Ver...
How to Get Rid of Squash Vine Borer: • How to Get Rid of Squa...
How to Get Rid of Squash Bugs: • How to Prevent and Kil...
How to Grow Beans: • 7 TIPS for Growing Bea...
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DIGITAL TABLE OF CONTENTS
00:05 - How to grow squash and melons
00:58 - How to avoid squash bugs and squash vine borer
02:15 - How to grow cucumbers
03:50 - How to grow sweet potatoes
05:56 - How to grow beans
08:35 - How to grow tomatoes
09:50 - How to plant tomatoes
10:40 - How to trellis (support) your tomatoes
11:22 - How to prune tomatoes
13:00 - How to use tomato hooks (tomahawks)
14:15 - How to grow basil
15:17 - How to grow peppers and chilies
17:07 - How to grow corn
19:16 - How to grow okra
19:47 - How to grow companion pants like daisies, zinnia, sunflowers, cosmos
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Hey Guys, I’m Brian from Next Level Gardening
Welcome to our online community! A place to be educated, inspired and hopefully entertained at the same time! A place where you can learn to grow your own food and become a better organic gardener. At the same time, a place to grow the beauty around you and stretch that imagination (that sometimes lies dormant, deep inside) through gardening.
I’m so glad you’re here!
(Some of the links here are affiliate links. If you purchase through our links we'll receive a small commission that helps support our channel, but the price remains the same, or better for you!)
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WHERE TO FIND ME
- Our Website: www.nextlevelgardening.tv
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- Our Facebook Garden Group: / nextlevelgardeners

[@susanhenley8240]

I never liked tomatoes until recently when a friend offered me one out of her garden, which I tasted just to be polite. OMG! Now I like garden-fresh organic tomatoes 🙂

[@MiladaKaiser]

When I first came to USA I was thinking that American store tomatoes taste like dirty dishes water. And in 1984 in London I was told not to buy CA strawberries because they taste like the worse unriped apples.

[@mommakimmins5554]

I've been hearing this about tomatoes, so when my husband prompted me to get a Big Boy tomato when we were at our local greenhouse I gave in. I just shook its first flower, so here's hoping my mind can be changed

[@Anne--Marie]

​@@mommakimmins5554Fred's tie dye and purple boy tomatoes are also fabulous.

[@jimroland7542]

Do not put two salted tomato slices between two pieces of bread with mayo. Don't do it. You have been warned.

[@hitthacienda]

That’s how it is with all food now. Homegrown and homemade is 100x better than anything from the store.

[@jeannamcgregor9967]

Last fall as an experiment in my frost-free zone 10a I cut back my spent Gigante pole beans to the ground leaving the roots undisturbed. They sprouted again in mid-April and the leaves are twice the size of the freshly planted beans. I'm doing this every year from now on! 💚

[@danhula2750]

F vc xxx c ,,, 4, ,z,xd x ,zzx z xxx,,, xcxxx cc gvbc , dex😢,or s de x x wd , , ,,, ?czx xxxd ? ? ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ,,peered edited 😮7😮2ceee😮r f , xxxxx ,,zzzzzzzxxx😮😅ee3x😮 x ,😮 '😢 ,,c 😢,, ,z !xxx e d x x z ,xd ,xfccv; ,, , , , 😊😊😊

[@janetnorris2255]

I live in zone 8. When did you plant your seeds? I had read they prefer cooler temps..yours did well?

[@jeannamcgregor9967]

@janetnorris2255 Maybe early April? I think all beans like warmth but you can plant them now and they'll come up when they're ready.

[@katiebradford9751]

Hahaha! Great shout out for Texas tomato gardeners, where even the hot weather plants need shade! 🇨🇱😅 And as a former Cali gardener, who never knew the devil bug Squash Vine Boarer until I moved here, they are no joke. I must add that the aluminum foil doesn’t work. They will lay their eggs anywhere on the vine, most times I find them far from the base of the stalk. My first year trying to grow my squash vertically quickly turned into a rescue mission as I had to cut all the ties off and bury the stems above the boarer in the ground. This allowed the stems to root again and saved about 75% of my plants. A lot of folks don’t even bother growing it here but I’m stubborn and I’m in my garden hours a day so I don’t mind fussing over the plants, the fresh squash is worth it and feels like the greatest victory one can imagine. As always, great video. Peace, Love and Garden Defiantly!

[@jansasser1606]

Squash and melons Cucumbers Sweet potatoes Beans Tomatoes Peppers and chilies Corn Okra Daisy type flowers I think I missed one

[@dko3623]

Basil

[@bimpeadeoye8568]

Thank you 😊

[@Anne--Marie]

Where it's already hot try Malabar spinach, Egyptian spinach and New Zealand spinach.

[@fayekeller7411]

Beets

[@Anne--Marie]

@@fayekeller7411 It's too warm for beets here in Central Florida.

[@breezyvibe]

congratuations on a MILLION subscribers. that's a HUGE deal. 👍

[@MorePranaGardens]

Haha. Texas acknowledges being called out. "Texas full sun" is about 4 hours, preferably early in the day. Afternoons are brutal for sure.

[@KismetWLS]

I've tried explaining that to people, they often decide I haven't got a clue, and throw their money away trying to do things they way they did them in Colorado, North Carolina, or Connecticut.

[@maryboyd4918]

That’s for sure, I’m battling now in North Texas. Just bought a solar drip irrigation system just to not have to water 2-3 times a day.

[@dottiegiudice7960]

You are so thorough with your directions in growing our garden plants, I don't even click on any other gardeners. I got your book Companion Planting and love it. Thanks so much for that. Thanks again

[@Nan54424]

Thank you so much for your milk tip for powdery mildew on my cucumbers. It worked and my plants are so beautiful!!!!

[@MikeR65]

My favorite time of the year ! Putting my seedlings in the ground.

[@sherriwelsch5009]

By far one of your best videos- thank you ;-)😊

[@melissabarnes853]

So much information is packed in to 20 minutes. I'm going to have to watch this a few times. Thank you for the time and effort you put in making these videos.

[@HealthyHabitsGrow]

I started taking notes. Lol. So much to remember. 1 guy i watch always suggest a journal. Keep up with what works and what didnt for future reference. I often times have to go look to cross check info in my head..

[@tammythorn5380]

Glad you mentioned using shade cloth in the heart regions like Texas. I live in the western part of Texas. Hundred plus during the summer months. Shade cloth extends the garden life out. As well as using trees to help shade the garden from the late afternoon sun. Learn what plants work best in your region.

[@simoncobian2816]

I used to grow pumpkins out here in SD it was always so much fun and the kids used to like when we’d harvest them

[@spiritsbeyondthestars3493]

I live in Oklahoma, and I have my garden on the south side of my house. In the garden gets at least 6 hours of sun.

[@sonyahogan5673]

I'm always in awe at how much information you provide in each video! Love it!❤

[@ordiekelleher2641]

Tomatoes cucumber onions chives parsley yum yum.😊

[@vsafuu1077]

WOW!!! BEST AND ONLY VIDEOS THAT EXPLAINS EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW!!!THANK YOU SO MUCH YOUR AWESOME!!!SENDING LOVE AND LIGHT!!!!❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@123WorryFreeGardening]

Finally it's May! We have to wait until mid month yet. Very anxious to plant.

[@SarahBahou]

Yes, Houston area here and starting my first garden so don't forget about us with too much water and heat 😂❤

[@lindag9975]

Of those items, you can only successfully plant sweet potatoes, basil, okra, Armenian cucumbers, and cantaloupes during May here in the Phoenix area low desert. Or you can plant anything but it will probably fry before it has a chance to produce. Everything else had to be in the ground much sooner. I'm learning that gardening in the low Sonoran Desert is very different from most places. However my peppers produced in January and are producing again now. They were planted late last summer during what we call Monsoon planting around here.

[@Katydidit]

Alot like Texas

[@karend8575]

Excellent video! My tomatoes are almost ready to plant in the raised beds. I have never had luck…yup the darn hornworm! But this time, basil, cosmos, asylum and a black light flashlight! I dare them to find my tomatoes! 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻

[@qwenqwen1476]

Wish you success! I had bad luck with them too!

[@wasntme3651]

I use seven dust on mine and no problem. It’s a powder and I take a cup with a lid, like from a fast food place. I put a good amount in the dry cup and put the lid on. Then punch a bunch of small holes in the lid like a pepper shaker. Then apply the seven dust like using pepper from a pepper shaker. Some people don’t like to use the product but I never have any issues and most of all I never have problems with any bugs on any of my plants.

[@NMWriterofWords]

Here in southern New Mexico our sun is too strong. So we plant where they have the first half of the day's sun and the second half of the day shade and they do outstanding. The only ones I plant in full sun are winter squash, and I have to water them over and over during the day

[@davidcreason8410]

Thanks for the information. I have reviewed this video 3 times already. Took notes.

[@ninaneuberger2622]

Congrats on a million subscribers, you deserve success. Your videos are excellent. Thanks for the basil tip. Tomato horn worms got us last year - basil seeded next to tomatoes this year.

[@Lynn-kh5rs]

Great video! I'm celebrating today. I live in KY and we've gotten 80 deg. temps early this year. I had a very happy discovery when I left the house this morning. My very bright yellow peony bush BLOOMED for the first time!! Took almost 5 years from planting. I'd just about given up hope thinking all I'd ever get was a nice looking green plant. 💃😁

[@nikkireigns]

I’m jealous! I planted a yellow peony last year, I’ll probably have to wait a few for mine 💛

[@JessicaJLandi]

Yes! My 3 year old peony plant is the biggest its ever been with 3 separate clusters of blooms. We're in NY, zone 7, a bit behind KY in the growing season, so here's hoping those peonies bloom soon!

[@Lynn-kh5rs]

@@JessicaJLandi Fingers crossed for you. I had officially given up hope last year & just expected a nice green bush as usual.

[@Lynn-kh5rs]

@@nikkireigns Once it does bloom the yellow will cheer you right up.

[@dustyflats3832]

I know exactly how excited you are! There was red leafed peonies here from previous owner they never bloomed over 12 years I tried lifting them and moving them and waited several years and nothing. I bought new ones and I’m sooo excited to see buds on one!! So at least I know they will grow in this soil now.

[@mommadeb49]

Thai basil has amazing flavor and Holy basil is very medicinal

[@marthakratz7877]

I love Thai basil, tuscan basil also.

[@user-mc3tp5sd2z]

If you can find wild magic basil get some a plant it where you can drink in the amazing smell. Bees go wild for it.

[@nadinelara2939]

I am in central Texas, most things in garden were planted in mid-late February. This is my 2nd year gardening and I am really enjoying it. We are very sandy soil here so most things are in raised beds. Pole & Bush green beans harvesting daily, Already harvested several large Carrots, Bell Peppers, Cucumbers, Yellow Squash, and Jalapenos. Some Zucchini are almost ready also. Okra, Roma tomatoes, Cherry tomatoes are all flowering and starting to produce. Cantaloupe and Watermelon are vining and starting to flower.

[@Kat-Knows]

has ur garden been affected by all the rain storms & flooding in texas?

[@robingreany899]

Excellent information. Thank you ever so much. ❤️

[@user-th6od9oc3d]

Hi Brian. I didn't have vitamin C tablets and so I squeezed half a lemon into a jar of water. I put a purple sweet potato in for the 15 min. and then in dirt like you showed. Put in a warm sunny window and kept it moist. 2 weeks and it sprouted just like you said. Waiting for last frost date so i can plant everything. I got my beans, peas, carrots, beets, and turnip seeds planted. The lettuce that went to seed last fall fell in other pots near it and this May 1st I noticed them growing. I lucked out on that one. I'm glad I found your you tube videos.😊😊😊

[@OldSchoolPrepper]

please remember to check your seed packets for the seed germination temperature and plant when the soil is that temperature....not just because it's "Mother's Day" or simply because it's "May" our last frost date was the beginning of April, but we had 3 nights of freezing last week....check the soil temp!

[@tmserapis5279]

This year i'm growing Hellsing Junction, Bayou, Osu, Indigo Rose, Julirot and noname cocktail tomatos^^ Along with some Marketmore cucumbers and a few Cayenne peppers. Also thinking of starting some berries (raspberry, blackberry, black currant). (Love to y'all from Hungary)

[@Katydidit]

I love the Indigo Rose tomato

[@ruthfurlow5468]

It’s the middle of May here now and it’s been raining non stop for a month and in the 50’s at night, yesterday our heat kicked on! So we got 5” of rain in 2 days just less than a week ago, and it’s usually sunny and warm here. So everything is going to have to be replanted. And this is southern Illinois

[@debbiecasalina4475]

I used Electra culture last year and had an abundance of squash and melons, and cucumbers, plus more no fertilizer, and no bad bugs, just pollinators! ❤ I even grew things I never had good luck with like sweet potatoes, celery and melons!

[@Mrgreenjeans578]

Electra? Never heard that before

[@debbiep7419]

I'm so excited summer gardening is finally here! My tomato and pepper seedlings are in. I planted seeds for squash, melons and beans yesterday. Good "things to grow" suggestions. My youngest daughter HATES tomatoes - "except mom's tomatoes" - lol. I tried corn once with very poor results even though it was in a block, not a row. Do you think a daily shaking of the plant would help the tassels drop the pollen onto the silk? Might try corn again next year. One warning about okra you didn't mention is that it must be checked daily for harvest, sometimes twice a day - they are faster than zucchini!

[@obessedwithhealth]

Hands down the best garden channel on the internet!!

[@gwenmaddaford4161]

So grateful for your good information that obviously comes from much experience and knowledge , and explained in easy to understand descriptions . Also appreciate the inclusion of the benefits and challenges of different growing environments. Living in the prairies in Canada is a short growing season and very harsh winters but I still learn so much from these videos. Thank you

[@queen.mama.slots.5977]

Thank You ❤we planted before our last rain. Central California. ❤

[@LifeHomeandGardenwithAnaRica]

Best gardening channel, great useful info.

[@shawncarr8699]

i hear a Rumer that borage planter near by can help repel squash bugs. did some digging and found 3 university studies that showed promising results. supposed to also help with with horn worms and cabbage moths. im planting borage everywhere this year and crossing my fingers! thank you for all the great info!

[@ukchanak]

Be careful as borage can self seed and overcome your garden

[@definitelyp8652]

I have to check the underside of leaves and dispose of leaves with eggs and keep an eye out for an adult.

[@DebRoo11]

Borage is like mint. You will regret planting it everywhere lol

[@emkn1479]

I’ve heard that daikon radishes can help…not sure if it’s backed up at all. I’m trying it, nothing to lose!

[@DebRoo11]

@@emkn1479 I'll try that too! Can't hurt 🤷🏼‍♀️

[@mommakimmins5554]

I've just begun growing my own vegetables. Sweet corn is one of the things I'm most excited for.

[@bobalman]

Look into hand pollinating corn. It's easy and results in almost every kernel growing. If you don't, the ears will likely not have many kernels.

[@mommakimmins5554]

@bobalman thanks for the tip. I already have to hand pollinate my husband's tomato plant, so hopefully it's similarly easy

[@bobalman]

@@mommakimmins5554 It's easy. When a tassel is ripe with pollen, break it off and using it like a feather duster, dust the silks of the cobs. the trick is to get all or as many as possible of the silks pollinated since each silk is connected to an individual kernel. If you miss one, that kernel will not develop.

[@TheSantos173]

Are you planting in a container by chance?

[@57nv]

Love yr videos...I learn why the things my father taught me are so important!

[@user-kp5vd1tg3r]

Thank you so much. I am just building my beds and a week of rain, so putting seeds out next week!!!

[@joey_the_farmdawg]

Great information!! Growing food for the first year and have found your info so helpful!!

[@clyde685]

I have started to harvest tomatoes this week….plants are producing heavy both Roma’s and slicers… I live in zone 9B and had my plants outside by Feb 15…..things are looking good this year so far….. also have been harvesting strawberries for sometime now and average 7 oz per day harvest…I do love my strawberries 😁😁😁

[@judyware4460]

Where is 9 b

[@clyde685]

@@judyware4460 I live in the Valley of the Sun…Phoenix area…

[@kleineroteHex]

I just planted mine😊

[@kleineroteHex]

​@@judyware4460growing zones are a bit deceiving in different areas, spreading east to west, concerning rainfall etc.

[@Caddywoman]

Thank you for the time you spent preparing for this video. Like others stated, the smount of information you offer pet video is awesome.

[@katallen4021]

Thanks for the great information!

[@phylwilton1966]

REALLY EXCELLENT descriptions!!

[@esthersdaughterlong8149]

Thank you Brian for the great information.

[@GrantStreetGarden]

Such an inspiration!!! We got heavy rain yesterday and the garden is exploding. I am trying a new cherry type tomato, called a Purple Bumble Bee tomato, I am going to grow them in containers, so I am going to watch your video on container cherry tomatoes. Yay Spring!!

[@KittyO122]

I am in zone 5 so it will be a few weeks before I can get out there and get the squash in. I am doing tri color bush beans in a bed this year and adding a different variety of pole green beans. Thanks for the video. It is just so helpful!

[@cbak1819]

Great video.. lots of tips.. I forget from year to year🎉

[@klomax7089]

Excellent video, thanks for sharing 👍🏾

[@657449]

I tried the double cup method this year and one video recommended using a string to act as a wick. Outstanding results!

[@H.O.P.E.1122]

I really enjoyed this informative format. Hooray for a million subs.

[@isabelladavis1363]

Wow great information truly appreciated lots to digest never knew peppers were perennials will come back to this until I get it right! Stay blessed

[@brooklynhomesteader3721]

Excellent video loaded with first time gardener information! Thank you.

[@terrivance8750]

Thank you, Brian. 😊

[@always.wondering.wandering]

Great information! I will have to try that Kellogs tomato next year, sounds delicious. Thanks Brian!

[@Arcticdi]

This one was fun!! Thanks!

[@celestahoover9746]

This was so encouraging and straightforward. Thank you!!

[@stephanieg5195]

Fantastic information, thank you!

[@annabenedict9419]

This was a very informative video Thank you!

[@giseliapereira5914]

Awesome sweet potato crop.

[@terribuckner3256]

Awesome, thorough, and to the point video! Thank you!

[@sylviemercier4406]

Thank you for all your great advice! I just want to say that the growing tomatoes in the double plastic glass and marbles is more trouble them you one plastic glass growing …that work just great and less complicated! Good Day and I really appreciate all of your advice!

[@sharongrashen1196]

Thanks for sharing!💜🙏🏼

[@cyndywatt6820]

wow, your tomatoes are beautiful!

[@karendavis7988]

GREAT video. Informative. Thanks.❤

[@luckcox6652]

Very precise, Thank you

[@sleepydrJ]

Very helpful! Thank you!

[@patkrueger7353]

Hat a wealth of information. Thank you very much! Love your videos. We're still a little bit chilly here in Pa at nights

[@karenneelyreed6451]

Great content! Thanks for the support.

[@Joan-ej7wv]

Thank you. You teach well. and very good explanation.

[@camicri4263]

Thank you Brian! I wish you could come plant for me too! Blessings!

[@sallyjoligocki5011]

Thank you. The information is helpful .

[@thebusybrownangel5829]

Great info! Awesome video! 💚

[@deecooper1567]

As always, great info 👍👵🏻👩‍🌾❣️

[@carolsparker6967]

Just found you and although I love in UK a lot of your advice is useful to me. I hope to have a bumper crop of tomatoes this year so can make pesto your advice on the planting of Basil was great, I have not grown it before but have a lot on the go from seeds, wandering where to plant it out, now I know to put it with the toms that's spot on, thanks. Looking forward to seeing more of your videos.

[@juliemendoza7258]

Wonderful video!

[@robinroseberry]

Thank you !

[@ANGEL-nc5lx]

Thanks for sharing. 👍👍

[@judymckerrow6720]

Thanks Jim. 💐💚🙃

[@EvaNichols28]

Well, we just got 6+ inches of snow and night temperatures in the 22F range, so I’m not going to sow anything in May with our last frost date of June 20th. Northern California, high elevation is a whole other world! Zone 6A, frost free less that 2 1/2 months. It takes a lot of patience and defiance to garden up here!😅

[@cbk1232]

Great video. I love brandywine and sun gold cherry tomatoes. I have a bad problem with slugs so this year I’m covering my raised beds with landscape fabric to see what happens.it’s always an experiment

[@kerry4987]

Thank you so much for all your videos! You cover so many questions I have in my mind. Have you written a book? Cuz you have the info to help new gardeners! Thanks again! 😊

[@patricecarter5096]

Great video....thank u

[@clif_plays]

Great video. I have a bunch of random tomatoes started. I’m going to have to figure out how to handle them as I go. I have one particularly strong plant that’s coming up near some cilantro. I think that may have a similar effect to the basil. I also put a ton of pepper seeds down so I’m hoping to see them thrive in the warm weather

[@GardenerGray]

Great informative content 😊👍

[@tishasolomon6173]

Thank you 😊

[@darlenecarter7859]

Thank you

[@bluwtr]

I always plant my tomatoes extra deep as well. I remove most all of the leaves and plant up to almost that point. I know this will produce many more roots and help the plant long term. I also use blood meal and bone meal.

[@stephenhope7319]

Been a subscriber for 4 or 5 years, good info. Here in Sacramento, Ca 9b in Natomas we are subject to a lot of north winds and as a result I have found it best to wait until early-may to plant most summer crops. Now at end of May I have all my 12 tomato plants at about 5 feet tall, my bell peppers are four feet tall and my basil is around 18 inches tall and all thriving.I have zucchini's that are 8 inches long now too. I think a grower needs to know the area they grow in because it is NOT one size fits all in the yard.

[@pattieldred9678]

Hope you are recovering well

[@tambrasmith9707]

Your flowers are beautiful

[@tambrasmith9707]

I hate vine borers & squash bugs, I wrap the stems with vet wrap

[@IsisRenee1]

I was hoping to hear about carrots on this video but it’s still such good info. I’ll look on the channel for carrots.

[@nancybaumgartner6774]

I use Bonide dust on the base of my cucurbits . That appears to sort the borer problem.

[@loraleiffxi]

I remember picking tomatoes off the vine of my mom's garden in the summer, under the sun. Just a knife, salt shaker, and a tomato that's still warm from the sun. I can't remember any food that's better than that. Very few life events are better than that, lol! ;)

[@BB-mo1ms]

Same for me, only it was turnips.

[@stephensclavos4485]

I used last year the string system for Tom plants but strung the string s horizontally using 2 x 4 s between them, they grew 9 foot tall! Put a couple strings on each side of the plant ( close ) used some cheap zip tie s to hold them up , had so many tomatoes we froze them , still using them! Lol

[@melissavalentine9771]

That's cool, now i want a tomato trellis 😅

[@gawain8000]

Nice