What to Plant in May in North Texas (And What to Do Right Now)

What to Plant in May in North Texas (And What to Do Right Now)

May in North Texas is one of those months that feels like a sprint. The days are warm, the soil is finally done surprising you with late cold snaps, and if you don't get moving now, the window closes fast. By the time June rolls in, the heat becomes a whole different beast — and a lot of what you could have planted in May becomes much harder to establish.

The good news: May is genuinely one of the best months to garden here. You just have to know what works for this climate and move with a little urgency.

First, Understand the North Texas Timeline

Here's something that trips up a lot of beginner gardeners who move here from other states: North Texas doesn't follow a typical gardening calendar. Most of the country is just waking up in May. We're already racing the heat.

North Texas falls primarily in USDA Hardiness Zones 7b to 8a, depending on exactly where you are. That means our last frost is usually behind us by mid-March to early April — but our summer heat arrives fast and hits hard. Daytime temperatures regularly push into the 90s by June, and many cool-season crops simply can't survive what's coming.

May is the sweet spot. You're planting warm-season crops that can get established before the worst of summer, and you're also making decisions now that will shape your fall garden (yes, really — more on that in a moment).

Vegetables to Plant in May

Direct Sow from Seed

These can go straight into the ground now — no transplants needed:

  • Okra — thrives in Texas heat and is genuinely hard to kill once established. Direct sow now and you'll have it producing through the summer.
  • Southern peas (black-eyed peas, zipper peas, purple hull) — a Texas staple for good reason. Heat tolerant, drought tolerant, and low maintenance.
  • Green beans (bush or pole) — plant now for an early summer harvest. Bush varieties mature faster, which is helpful before temps spike.
  • Cucumbers — love the warmth and grow quickly. Get them in the ground early in May for the best results.
  • Summer squash and zucchini — fast growers that reward you quickly. They'll need consistent water as it heats up.
  • Sweet corn — if you have the space, May is your last good window before the heat makes pollination unreliable.
  • Watermelon and cantaloupe — these need room, but they are perfectly suited for a North Texas summer. Get seeds or transplants in now so they have time to develop before peak heat.

Transplants (Start These from Seedlings, Not Seeds)

  • Peppers — if you haven't planted them yet, there's still time early in May. They're slow to establish from seed this late in the season.
  • Eggplant — another heat lover that does well in Texas summers. Buy a transplant and put it in now.
  • Sweet potatoes — plant slips (the rooted cuttings) in May. They need a long, warm growing season, and North Texas gives them exactly that.

A Word on Tomatoes

If your spring tomatoes are still going, great — water them consistently and watch for disease. But if you're thinking about planting new tomato transplants in May, be cautious. Tomatoes stop setting fruit when daytime temps consistently exceed 95°F and nighttime temps stay above 75°F, which can happen by June or July here. A tomato planted mid-to-late May may not have enough time to produce well before it hits that wall. If you plant them, do it in the first week or two of May and choose a heat-tolerant variety like Celebrity, Solar Fire, or Heatmaster.

Flowers and Herbs Worth Planting Now

May is a great time to fill out beds and containers with summer annuals that can handle what's coming:

  • Zinnias — plant from seed directly in the ground. They germinate fast, bloom all summer, and pollinators go wild for them.
  • Sunflowers — another direct-sow winner. Get them in now and they'll peak in midsummer.
  • Portulaca (moss rose) — perfect for hot, dry spots with poor soil. Nearly impossible to kill.
  • Vinca (periwinkle) — a North Texas summer workhorse. Heat tolerant, minimal maintenance, reliable color all season.
  • Celosia — loves the heat and blooms in bold, unusual shapes. A good pop of color for containers.
  • Lantana — if you haven't put any in yet, May is the time. It will bloom from now until the first frost and barely needs any help from you.
  • Basil — loves the heat and grows fast right now. Plant it near your tomatoes or peppers.
  • Rosemary, thyme, and oregano — all well-suited for Texas conditions once established.

The Thing Most Beginners Don't Know: Start Thinking About Fall Now

This one surprises people, but it's important. The end of May is when you need to start thinking about your fall garden. Crops like broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and kale need to be started from seed around June or July to be ready as transplants for August and September planting. That cycle starts now.

You don't need to act on it today, but if you want a productive fall vegetable garden — which is genuinely spectacular in North Texas, where mild October and November weather does a lot of the heavy lifting — make a note to start seeds indoors in about four to six weeks.

Practical Tips for Planting in the Texas Heat

Getting plants in the ground is only half the battle. Here's how to set them up to actually survive:

Water deeply, not frequently. Surface watering encourages shallow roots. Soak the soil deeply a few times a week rather than giving plants a light sprinkle every day. Deep roots are more heat and drought resilient.

Mulch everything. A 2–3 inch layer of mulch around your plants does more than almost anything else you can do. It holds moisture, keeps roots cooler, and suppresses weeds. This is non-negotiable in a North Texas summer.

Plant in the evening. Transplants put in the ground during midday heat are stressed from the start. Plant in the late afternoon or evening so they have a full cool night to settle in before facing the sun.

Know your soil. North Texas is famous for its heavy black clay — the kind that cracks in summer and turns to concrete when dry. If that's what you're working with, adding compost before planting will make a significant difference in drainage and root health. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension recommends turning compost in 2 to 3 inches deep and working the soil down 8 to 10 inches for best results.

Watch for grasshoppers. They show up in May when they're young and much easier to deal with. If you let them get established, they'll mow through your garden. Scout early and treat while they're small.

Quick-Win Checklist for May

If you do nothing else this month, do these:

  1. Get okra, southern peas, and cucumbers in the ground — they're forgiving and productive
  2. Add a thick layer of mulch to any existing beds
  3. Plant at least one flat of zinnias from seed for summer color and pollinators
  4. Water deeply and move to a consistent schedule before the heat sets in
  5. Mark your calendar to start fall transplant seeds in late June

May doesn't last long here. But with the right plants and a little momentum, you can set your garden up for a productive summer and a spectacular fall.

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