May in the Garden: The Heat Is Coming Fast!
Here’s a quick update on how things are going in my garden here at the start of May.
We’ve officially transitioned out of spring. The last of the cool-season crops are gone—anything that didn’t bolt in April is now either compost or chicken snacks. Most of the warm-season crops we planted back in March and April are starting to take off. The tomatoes are flowering, the peppers are settling in, the Armenian cucumbers are beginning their climb, and the summer squash are growing so fast you can almost watch them expand.
Some of the seeds we put in the ground last month—like okra, black-eyed peas, and Malabar spinach—are just starting to pop up now. They love this warming weather, and it’s their time to shine. The sunflowers are stretching tall, and the delicate spring flowers that brought so much color to the garden are fading fast under the pressure of the rising heat.
May: The Turning Point
May is the real turning point here in the Valley. Early in the month, the mornings can still be pleasant. But by the end of the month, we’ll be into triple digits regularly. It’s the moment of truth for your warm-season plants—if they’re not established yet, they might not make it through the blast furnace that is June.
This is also the time where your garden will start to divide itself. Some plants are going to absolutely thrive in the heat—okra, Malabar spinach, sweet potatoes, black-eyed peas—and others may begin to struggle, especially if they weren’t well-established earlier in the season. If you’re still trying to plant summer crops, your window is closing fast. By mid-May, the focus shifts from planting to maintaining and protecting.
It’s Time to Mulch (or Ground Cover)... and don't forget the Shade and watering!
The video below discusses the best ways to help you plants survive the Phoenix summer!
What You Can Still Plant in May
The list is definitely shorter than in March or April, but there are still options—especially if you’re focusing on heat lovers.
Be aware that anything planted now will need a little extra attention to get established—so don’t slack on watering and shading new seedlings if needed.
Either Transplant or Seeds
- Armenian Cucumber
- Artichoke (Jerusalem) – Will spread, Don’t put in main Garden
- Basil
- Cantaloupe
- Malabar Spinach
- Okra
- Roselle Hibiscus
- Sweet Potatoes (From Slips)
Only from Seed
- Black-Eyed Peas (Cowpeas)
- Yardlong Beans (Snake beans)
- Buckwheat
- Sunflowers
- Sweet Potatoes (from Slips)
Final Thoughts
May gardening in Phoenix is all about transition. It’s the end of our spring glory and the start of our real summer hustle. Your job now is to support the crops you’ve planted, add in the last of your summer heat lovers, and get your garden ready to survive the June heatwave that’s just around the corner.
I’ll be out there sweating right along with you.
Wishing you strong plants, deep roots, and a cool-ish breeze every once in a while,
Aaron