What to Plant in May in Australia
Pick your region below to see exactly what to sow this month.
May across Australia
May is the start of the cool season in most regions. It is prime planting time for leafy greens, brassicas, root vegetables, peas, and herbs. In subtropical and tropical regions, you can still grow a wide range of crops. In cooler areas like Melbourne, Hobart, and Canberra, focus on frost-tolerant plants and protect tender seedlings.
Select your region above to see a personalised list, or jump to your regional May page below.
Select a region above to see your May planting list.
May Planting by Region
Jump straight to your regional May planting guide for full details, downloadable PDF calendars, and crop tables.
Subtropical. Mild winter, wide planting range.
Warm temperate. Frost-free coast, cooler inland.
Subtropical. Mild winter, long growing season.
Tropical. Dry season, great for warm-season crops.
Tropical. Dry season starting, peak planting time.
Cool temperate. Frost likely, ideal for brassicas.
Mediterranean. Cool wet winters, reliable greens.
Mediterranean. Mild winter, broad planting window.
Cool temperate. Hard frosts, cold-hardy focus.
Cool continental. Heavy frost, short planting window.
May Gardening Tips
May is when autumn properly settles in across most of the country. Days are shortening, soil is cooling, and the pace of the garden shifts. This is the ideal time to get garlic, onion, and broad bean sets into the ground. Leafy greens like spinach, lettuce, kale, and silverbeet thrive in the cooler weather and are less likely to bolt than in warmer months.
In frost-prone regions, protect tender seedlings with cloches, cold frames, or frost cloth overnight. Established plants handle light frost, but freshly transplanted seedlings are vulnerable. Mulch beds to retain soil warmth and moisture.
In subtropical and tropical regions, May is one of the best planting months. The oppressive summer heat has passed, humidity is dropping, and pest pressure eases. You can plant almost anything from your regional list with confidence.
Track Your May Plantings
Add your May crops to the Planting Season app for harvest reminders and spacing guides tailored to your region.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What can I plant in May in Australia?
What you can plant in May depends on your region. Australia spans tropical, subtropical, Mediterranean, and cool temperate climates, so each region has a different planting list. Select your region above to see the specific crops, sowing methods, spacing, and harvest timing for your area.
Is May a good time to start a vegetable garden in Australia?
You can start a vegetable garden any month of the year in most parts of Australia. May is autumn in southern Australia and offers plenty of crops to choose from. Pick your region above to see the full list of what you can plant right now.
How do I know what zone I am in for May planting?
Planting Season organises guides by region rather than hardiness zone, because Australian growing conditions vary more by local climate than by a single zone number. Select your nearest region above (Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, SEQ, Northern Rivers, North QLD, Canberra, Hobart, or Darwin) for a planting list tailored to your conditions.