What to Plant in May, Canberra & ACT

40 crops you can sow in May across Canberra & ACT.

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

In Season This Month

All May Crops at a Glance

Plant	Category	Harvest	Spacing	Companions
Alyssum	Flower	55d	20cm	Lettuce, Brassicas, Beans
Borage	Flower	60d	40cm	Strawberry, Tomato, Cucumber
Boysenberry	Fruit	365d	150cm	Tansy, Marigold, Garlic
Broad Beans	Fruiting	90d	20cm	Potato, Corn, Lettuce
Broccoli Sprouts	Micro	7d	1cm	n/a
Calendula	Flower	60d	25cm	Tomato, Brassicas, Beans
Chamomile	Herb	60d	20cm	Brassicas, Onion, Lettuce
Chives	Herb	75d	15cm	Carrot, Tomato
Comfrey	Flower	60d	60cm	Tomato, Potato, Fruit trees
Culinary Rose	Flower	365d	100cm	Lavender, Garlic, Chives
Dill	Herb	60d	25cm	Cabbage, Onion, Corn
Elderflower	Fruit	365d	300cm	Fruit trees
Feijoa	Fruit	730d	300cm	Fruit trees, Comfrey
Fennel	Leafy	80d	30cm	n/a
Garlic	Root	210d	15cm	Beetroot, Lettuce, Strawberry
Good King Henry	Leafy	90d	40cm	Fruit trees
Lavender	Flower	90d	60cm	Brassicas, Tomato, Rosemary
Lettuce	Leafy	55d	25cm	Carrot, Radish, Chives
Lovage	Herb	90d	60cm	Beans, Potato
Mint	Herb	70d	30cm	Cabbage, Tomato
Mountain Pepper	Herb	730d	200cm	Native plants, Finger lime
Native Raspberry	Fruit	365d	100cm	Native plants
Olive	Fruit	1460d	500cm	Lavender, Rosemary, Thyme
Onion	Root	180d	10cm	Carrot, Beetroot, Lettuce
Oregano	Herb	90d	30cm	Capsicum, Tomato
Oyster Mushroom	Mushroom	21d	0cm	n/a
Parsley	Herb	80d	20cm	Tomato, Carrot
Pea Shoots	Micro	12d	1cm	n/a
Peas	Fruiting	75d	10cm	Carrot, Radish, Corn
Radish Sprouts	Micro	8d	1cm	n/a
Rhubarb	Fruiting	365d	90cm	Strawberry, Beans, Brassicas
Rosemary	Herb	180d	60cm	Sage, Carrot
Sage	Herb	75d	50cm	Rosemary, Brassicas, Carrot
Shallot	Root	110d	15cm	Carrot, Beetroot, Lettuce
Shiitake	Mushroom	60d	0cm	n/a
Sorrel	Leafy	60d	30cm	Strawberry, Lettuce
Strawberry	Fruit	90d	30cm	Borage, Lettuce, Spinach
Sunflower Microgreens	Micro	10d	1cm	n/a
Thyme	Herb	120d	30cm	Cabbage, Strawberry
Yarrow	Flower	90d	40cm	Brassicas, Tomato, Herbs

Print the May calendar

One-page A4 landscape PDF with every May crop for Canberra & ACT.

Download PDF →

Frequently Asked Questions

What vegetables can I plant in May in Canberra?

May in Canberra is autumn, so focus on crops suited to cool continental 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 Canberra garden as the weather cools in May?

As Canberra 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 Canberra?

Watering frequency depends on your soil type and weather. In May in Canberra, 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.

When is the last frost in Canberra and how does that affect May planting?

Canberra's last frost typically falls in mid to late October, though frost can occur into November in some years. In May, plan your planting around this date. Frost-sensitive crops like tomatoes, basil, and beans should wait until frost risk has passed. Use frost cloth to protect early plantings.

Never miss a planting window

The free app shows what to sow in Canberra & ACT this week and keeps track of what you have planted. Open the app.

What to Plant in May, Canberra & ACT

In Season This Month

Herb (11)

Flower (7)

Fruit (6)

Leafy (4)

Micro (4)

Root (3)

Fruiting (3)

Mushroom (2)