What to Plant in May, Adelaide & SA
87 crops you can sow in May across Adelaide & SA.
In Season This Month
Leafy (16)
Herb (14)
Root (13)
Flower (12)
Fruit (10)
Brassica (8)
Fruiting (8)
Micro (4)
Mushroom (2)
All May Crops at a Glance
| Plant | Category | Harvest | Spacing | Companions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flower | 55d | 20cm | Lettuce, Brassicas, Beans | |
| Fruit | 1460d | 700cm | — | |
| Fruiting | 65d | 20cm | Corn, Carrot, Cucumber | |
| Root | 65d | 10cm | Lettuce, Onion, Brassicas | |
| Leafy | 50d | 20cm | Beetroot, Celery | |
| Flower | 60d | 40cm | Strawberry, Tomato, Cucumber | |
| Fruiting | 90d | 20cm | Potato, Corn, Lettuce | |
| Brassica | 90d | 45cm | Beetroot, Onion, Celery | |
| Micro | 7d | 1cm | — | |
| Brassica | 90d | 50cm | Beetroot, Onion, Dill | |
| Flower | 60d | 25cm | Tomato, Brassicas, Beans | |
| Root | 85d | 5cm | Lettuce, Onion, Leek | |
| Brassica | 100d | 55cm | Beetroot, Celery, Onion | |
| Root | 150d | 30cm | Leek, Beans, Brassicas | |
| Leafy | 120d | 25cm | Leek, Tomato, Beans | |
| Herb | 60d | 20cm | Brassicas, Onion, Lettuce | |
| Leafy | 90d | 30cm | Carrot, Beans | |
| Herb | 75d | 15cm | Carrot, Tomato | |
| Flower | 60d | 60cm | Tomato, Potato, Fruit trees | |
| Herb | 50d | 15cm | Spinach, Dill | |
| Flower | 70d | 20cm | Wildflowers, Grains | |
| Flower | 365d | 100cm | Lavender, Garlic, Chives | |
| Root | 60d | 20cm | Carrot, Lettuce | |
| Herb | 60d | 25cm | Cabbage, Onion, Corn | |
| Fruit | 730d | 300cm | Fruit trees | |
| Fruit | 1095d | 300cm | Fruit trees, Comfrey | |
| Leafy | 80d | 30cm | — | |
| Fruit | 1095d | 300cm | — | |
| Fruiting | 90d | 25cm | Lettuce, Peas | |
| Brassica | 55d | 25cm | Beetroot, Onion, Dill | |
| Root | 210d | 15cm | Beetroot, Lettuce, Strawberry | |
| Fruiting | 180d | 100cm | Sunflower, Tarragon, Peas | |
| Leafy | 90d | 40cm | Fruit trees | |
| Root | 120d | 15cm | Tomato, Asparagus | |
| Root | 150d | 40cm | Corn, Beans, Sunflower | |
| Leafy | 70d | 40cm | Beetroot, Onion, Celery | |
| Brassica | 60d | 20cm | Beetroot, Onion | |
| Leafy | 35d | 20cm | Lettuce, Beans | |
| Flower | 90d | 60cm | Brassicas, Tomato, Rosemary | |
| Brassica | 120d | 15cm | Carrot, Celery | |
| Herb | 60d | 30cm | Tomato, Brassicas, Fruit trees | |
| Fruit | 730d | 300cm | Comfrey | |
| Leafy | 55d | 25cm | Carrot, Radish, Chives | |
| Fruit | 730d | 300cm | Comfrey | |
| Herb | 90d | 60cm | Beans, Potato | |
| Fruit | 1460d | 700cm | — | |
| Flower | 50d | 25cm | Tomato, Beans, Capsicum | |
| Leafy | 35d | 15cm | Lettuce, Radish | |
| Herb | 70d | 30cm | Cabbage, Tomato | |
| Leafy | 40d | 20cm | Carrot, Lettuce | |
| Herb | 730d | 200cm | Native plants, Finger lime | |
| Brassica | 40d | 25cm | Beetroot, Carrot | |
| Flower | 50d | 30cm | Cucumber, Zucchini, Pumpkin | |
| Fruit | 365d | 100cm | Native plants | |
| Flower | 90d | 20cm | Native plants, Ferns | |
| Root | 180d | 10cm | Carrot, Beetroot, Lettuce | |
| Herb | 90d | 30cm | Capsicum, Tomato | |
| Mushroom | 21d | — | — | |
| Herb | 80d | 20cm | Tomato, Carrot | |
| Root | 120d | 10cm | Rosemary, Beans | |
| Micro | 12d | 1cm | — | |
| Fruiting | 75d | 10cm | Carrot, Radish, Corn | |
| Root | 90d | 30cm | Beans, Nasturtium, Marigold | |
| Fruit | 1460d | 500cm | Native plants, Host tree (semi-parasitic) | |
| Leafy | 80d | 30cm | Beans, Carrot, Lettuce | |
| Root | 30d | 5cm | Lettuce, Carrot | |
| Micro | 8d | 1cm | — | |
| Fruiting | 365d | 90cm | Strawberry, Beans, Brassicas | |
| Leafy | 40d | 15cm | Lettuce, Carrot | |
| Herb | 180d | 60cm | Sage, Carrot | |
| Herb | 75d | 50cm | Rosemary, Brassicas, Carrot | |
| Root | 120d | 15cm | Carrot, Lettuce, Onion | |
| Fruiting | 70d | 20cm | Corn, Lettuce, Radish | |
| Root | 120d | 15cm | Carrot, Onion | |
| Herb | 90d | 30cm | Pigface, Samphire | |
| Mushroom | 60d | — | — | |
| Leafy | 60d | 30cm | Beans, Onion, Lettuce | |
| Fruiting | 60d | 10cm | Carrot, Radish, Corn | |
| Leafy | 60d | 30cm | Strawberry, Lettuce | |
| Leafy | 55d | 20cm | Strawberry, Pea | |
| Fruit | 90d | 30cm | Borage, Lettuce, Spinach | |
| Micro | 10d | 1cm | — | |
| Leafy | 45d | 20cm | Carrot, Onion | |
| Herb | 120d | 30cm | Cabbage, Strawberry | |
| Flower | 70d | 15cm | Lettuce, Strawberry | |
| Brassica | 75d | 45cm | Onion, Dill, Beetroot | |
| Flower | 90d | 40cm | Brassicas, Tomato, Herbs |
Print the May calendar
One-page A4 landscape PDF with every May crop for Adelaide & SA.
Download PDF →Frequently Asked Questions
What vegetables can I plant in May in Adelaide?
May in Adelaide is autumn, so focus on crops suited to Mediterranean conditions at this time of year. Check the full planting list above for every vegetable, herb, and fruit you can sow or transplant this month, with spacing and harvest timing included.
What should I plant in my Adelaide garden as the weather cools in May?
As Adelaide transitions into cooler weather, switch from summer crops to cool-season varieties. Sow broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, beetroot, carrot, lettuce, peas, and Asian greens. Clear spent summer plants and add compost before replanting.
How often should I water my vegetable garden in May in Adelaide?
Watering frequency depends on your soil type and weather. In May in Adelaide, check the soil moisture by pushing your finger 5 centimetres into the soil. If it feels dry, water deeply. Mulch reduces watering needs significantly. Most vegetable gardens need deep watering two to three times per week rather than light daily sprinkles.
How do I manage water restrictions when gardening in Adelaide in May?
Adelaide's water restrictions vary by season. Use drip irrigation and soaker hoses to water efficiently. Mulch beds heavily with straw or lucerne to reduce evaporation. Consider installing a rainwater tank and using greywater on ornamentals. Wicking beds are excellent for growing vegetables with minimal water.
