Garden Guide May
Cultivating Warmth and Wonder
Oh, the summer garden. Visions arise—sun-warmed tomatoes, emerald towers of basil, the rustle of corn leaves, and beans twining toward the sky. Baskets brim with bright abundance, the archetype of gardening delight. Yet, in our Maritime Northwest, these symbols of the summer harvest carry a quiet challenge.
These crops hail from lands where summer nights stay warm and rain arrives in rhythm. Here in western Washington, we dwell under a sky shaped by the Pacific Ocean—cool nights, gray mornings, and summer rainfall that keeps us guessing. To garden here is to listen closely, to adapt, and to deepen our relationship with place.
But make no mistake: abundance is not beyond us—it simply asks more of our creativity, our care, and our timing.
In May, the soil begins to warm. The light lengthens. Our cloches, having nurtured tender starts through the chill of spring, now turn their service to heat-lovers like corn, cucumbers, and melons. Tomatoes, if well-hardened, may take root in beds under the shelter of a cloche. Peppers, eggplants, basil, and celery—these plants will still appreciate the safety of pots or cold frames until June nudges the nights a little warmer.
Take your time. Let the transition be slow and thoughtful. There is a tenderness in hardening off—a ritual of resilience. Plants, like people, need space to adjust to change.
May invites us to savor transformation. As the ancients did, we may “bring in the May” with garlands, green branches, and a joyful recognition of the turning season. Go outside. Let the scent of lilac or the hum of returning pollinators stir you. This is a month to honor our senses and our intentions.
Let your garden be a celebration—not just of harvests to come, but of presence, planning, and partnership with the land.
Vegetables & Herbs to Sow in May
This is a month rich with possibility. Beds once home to spring greens can now host the seeds of summer.
Sow Directly Throughout May
With the right warmth and timing, these families will thrive:
Amaranthaceae: Amaranth (grain & greens), quinoa
Poaceae (Grasses): Corn (sweet, flour, pop), teff
Fabaceae: Bush, pole, runner, and shelling beans
Brassicaceae: Asian greens, cabbage, kale, broccoli, collards, Brussels sprouts
Chenopodiaceae: Beets, Swiss chard, spinach, orach
Apiaceae: Carrots, cilantro, dill, parsnip, caraway
Lamiaceae: Anise hyssop, summer savory, shiso, Chinese artichokes
Amaryllidaceae: Leeks, scallions, chives, garlic chives
Portulacaceae: Purslane
Solanaceae: Potatoes
Compositae: Lettuce, burdock (gobo)
Sow Under Cloche
To coax germination from reluctant seeds in cool soil, employ cloches for:
Lamiaceae: Basil
Cucurbitaceae: Cucumbers, melons, pumpkins, squash (summer & winter)
Be sure to vent cloches during warm afternoons and water regularly—trapped heat and dryness can sneak up fast.
Flowers to Sow in May
Let your garden offer beauty as well as nourishment. Many warm-season bloomers can be sown now to dazzle in late summer and early fall:
Amaranthaceae: Globe Amaranth, Flowering Amaranth
Boraginaceae: Borage
Capparaceae: Spider Flower (Cleome)
Onagraceae: Evening Primrose
Scrophulariaceae: Slipper Flower
Convolvulaceae: Morning Glory
Tropaeolaceae: Nasturtiums
Malvaceae: Lavatera
Loasaceae: Blazing Star
Solanaceae: Butterfly Flower
Compositae: Calendula, China Aster, Cosmos (bipinnatus & sulphureus), Creeping Zinnia, Marigolds, Tithonia, Coreopsis, Zinnias, Sunflowers
Araliaceae: Blue Lace Flower
These are the late bloomers that arrive when the garden is already bursting—symbols of endurance and exuberance.
At Eco-Restore, we walk alongside you as you grow—helping you plan, plant, and adjust your garden to thrive in our uniquely beautiful bioregion. From cloche construction and seasonal planting plans to coaching that helps you navigate the finer points of timing and soil, we are here to make gardening more joyful and less overwhelming.
This is not the time to go it alone. Whether you’re coaxing tomatoes from a cold corner or seeking a new way to approach a tricky garden bed, we offer insight, encouragement, and practical solutions. Together, we restore balance, resilience, and wonder to the garden.
May you find delight in the unfurling leaves, the humming bees, and the small, sure signs of summer.
