May is a wonderful time to get planting in the garden. With the risk of frost behind us and the soil warming up, it’s the perfect month to bring colour to your beds, start your vegetable crops, and refresh containers and borders. Whether you’re a seasoned green-fingered enthusiast or just getting started, here’s our guide to the best flowers, veg, and more to grow in May.
Brilliant Blooms to Plant Now
Summer Bedding Plants
May is ideal for planting out colourful summer bedding after the last frost. These vibrant plants will keep your garden looking cheerful right through to autumn. Favourites include:
- Petunias
- Geraniums (Pelargoniums)
- Busy Lizzies (Impatiens)
- Marigolds
- Begonias
These are great for borders, pots, and hanging baskets. Just remember to keep them well-watered and deadhead regularly to prolong flowering. For more tips on bedding plants, visit the RHS Guide on Bedding Plants.
Hardy Annuals and Perennials
You can also sow hardy annuals directly into well-prepared soil now, such as:
- Cosmos
- Nigella (Love-in-a-Mist)
- Cornflowers
- Calendula
Plus, planting perennials like Salvia, Lupins, or Echinacea now gives them a head start to establish before summer.
For more tips on planting perennials, check out our Popular Perennials for the Garden.
Vegetables to Sow or Plant in May
Whether you’re growing in raised beds, veg plots, or containers, May is a key month to get a wide variety of crops underway.
Direct Sow Outdoors:
- Carrots
- Beetroot
- French Beans and Runner Beans
- Lettuce and other salad leaves
- Peas
Alt Text: A set of four botanical illustrations displays vegetables ideal for May planting: vibrant orange carrots with leafy tops, a deep red beetroot with healthy green leaves, French beans and runner beans climbing a trellis, and fresh lettuce and mixed salad leaves flourishing in garden soil.
For tips on getting your veg patch ready, see our March Gardening Tasks.
Plant Out Seedlings or Buy Young Plants:
- Courgettes
- Tomatoes (in a greenhouse or sunny, sheltered spot)
- Sweetcorn
- Cabbages and Broccoli
Alt Text: A landscape illustration displaying Courgettes, Tomatoes, Sweetcorn, and Cabbages & Broccoli. Each vegetable is illustrated with detailed foliage and fruit, showcasing their optimal growth for May planting.
Top tip: Be sure to protect young seedlings from slugs and snails—especially during damp weather. For slug and pest control advice, refer to the RHS Guide to Slug Control.
Herbs and Edibles for Pots or Borders
May is a brilliant time to start a herb patch or pot up some containers near the kitchen door. Try planting:
- Basil
- Parsley
- Mint (keep it in a pot to stop it spreading!)
- Chives
- Thyme
- Rosemary
Alt Text: A botanical illustration in watercolor style displaying six common culinary herbs: Basil, Parsley, Mint (in a terracotta pot), Chives, Thyme, and Rosemary. Each herb is carefully labeled and depicted in vibrant green tones, ideal for planting in pots or borders.
They’ll thrive in sunny spots and are perfect for summer cooking. For more tips on growing herbs, check out the RHS Herb Growing Guide.
Final Tips for May Planting Success
- Water newly planted flowers and veg regularly, especially during dry spells.
- Add mulch around plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
- Feed container plants every couple of weeks to encourage strong growth and blooms.
- Stake tall or climbing plants early, so they grow up supported.
- Keep an eye on late frosts in early May—be ready to protect tender plants with fleece if needed.
For more gardening tips, visit our April Gardening Jobs to keep your garden in top shape.
Need a Hand Getting Started?
If you’d love to enjoy a vibrant garden this summer but don’t have the time to tackle the planting yourself, we’re here to help. At Steve’s Garden Services, we offer expert planting, garden makeovers, and regular maintenance across Norwich, Swardeston, and the surrounding villages.
Get in touch today for a free quote and let’s get your garden blooming!
For more inspiration, explore our Spring Planting Tips and discover how to make the most of your garden all year round.
