PPatch

Melbourne, VIC

What to plant in Melbourne in May.

Melbourne has broadly cool temperate conditions: changeable weather, cool winters and occasional late frost. These suggestions are a practical starting point for the month.

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74broad choices
Cool temperateclimate
Mayplanting month

Your starting list

Planting ideas for May

Grow to Eat

SpinachSow direct • Part sun • 6–8 weeksLettuceSow or transplant • Part sun • 6–10 weeksBeetrootSow direct • Full sun • 8–12 weeksBroccoliStart in trays • Full sun • 12–16 weeksRadishSow direct • Full sun • 4–7 weeksPeasSow direct • Full sun • 10–14 weeksSilverbeetSow or transplant • Full sun • 8–12 weeksCorianderSow direct • Part sun • 6–8 weeksSpring onionSow direct • Full sun • 8–12 weeksKaleSow or transplant • Full sun • 8–12 weeksGarlicPlant cloves • Full sun • 24–32 weeksCabbageStart in trays • Full sun • 12–20 weeksCauliflowerStart in trays • Full sun • 16–24 weeksBok choySow or transplant • Part sun • 6–9 weeksLeekStart in trays • Full sun • 20–30 weeksBrown onionSow or transplant • Full sun • 20–28 weeksParsleySow or transplant • Part sun • 10–14 weeksDillSow direct • Full sun • 8–12 weeksTurnipSow direct • Full sun • 7–11 weeksCeleryStart in trays • Part sun • 16–22 weeksSnow peasSow direct • Full sun • 8–12 weeksBroad beansSow direct • Full sun • 16–22 weeksRosemaryPlant seedlings • Full sun • Light harvest in 8–12 weeksThymePlant seedlings • Full sun • Light harvest in 8–12 weeksOreganoPlant seedlings • Full sun • Light harvest in 8–12 weeksMintPlant in a container • Part sun • Light harvest in 6–8 weeksArtichokePlant seedlings • Full sun • Heads in 24–36 weeksRocketSow direct • Part sun • 4–7 weeksEndiveSow or transplant • Part sun • 8–12 weeksMustard greensSow direct • Full or part sun • 6–10 weeksMizunaSow direct • Part sun • 5–8 weeksTatsoiSow direct • Part sun • 6–9 weeksKohlrabiSow or transplant • Full sun • 8–12 weeksBrussels sproutsStart in trays • Full sun • 20–30 weeksFennelSow direct • Full sun • 12–16 weeksChivesPlant divisions • Full or part sun • Light harvest in 8–12 weeksSagePlant seedlings • Full sun • Light harvest in 10–14 weeksTarragonPlant divisions • Full sun • Light harvest in 10–14 weeks

Grow for Beauty

NasturtiumSow direct • Full or part sun • Flowers in 8–12 weeksSweet peaSow direct • Full sun • Flowers in 12–16 weeksPansyPlant seedlings • Part sun • Flowers in 6–10 weeksCalendulaSow direct • Full sun • Flowers in 8–12 weeksAlyssumSow or transplant • Full or part sun • Flowers in 6–10 weeksSnapdragonPlant seedlings • Full sun • Flowers in 10–14 weeksStockPlant seedlings • Full sun • Flowers in 10–14 weeksViolaPlant seedlings • Part sun • Flowers in 6–10 weeksTulipPlant chilled bulbs • Full or part sun • Flowers in springDaffodilPlant bulbs • Full or part sun • Flowers in late winter–springFreesiaPlant corms • Full sun • Flowers in late winter–springRanunculusPlant claws • Full sun • Flowers in springLavenderPlant seedlings • Full sun • Establishes in 1–2 seasonsHydrangeaPlant a young shrub • Part sun • Flowers in 1–2 seasonsCamelliaPlant a young shrub • Part sun • Establishes in 1–2 yearsGardeniaPlant a young shrub • Part sun • Flowers in 1–2 seasonsGeraniumPlant cuttings • Full or part sun • Flowers in 10–16 weeksSalviaPlant seedlings • Full sun • Flowers in 10–14 weeksFoxgloveSow or transplant • Part sun • Flowers in the next cool seasonDelphiniumPlant seedlings • Full sun • Flowers in spring–summerCornflowerSow direct • Full sun • Flowers in 10–14 weeksPoppySow direct • Full sun • Flowers in 12–16 weeksIrisPlant divisions • Full sun • Flowers in the next seasonLilyPlant bulbs • Full or part sun • Flowers in spring–summerHyacinthPlant chilled bulbs • Full or part sun • Flowers in springCrocusPlant bulbs • Full sun • Flowers in late winter–springAnemonePlant corms • Full sun • Flowers in springChrysanthemumPlant cuttings • Full sun • Flowers in autumnAsterPlant seedlings • Full sun • Flowers in late summer–autumnConeflowerPlant seedlings • Full sun • Flowers in summerGauraPlant seedlings • Full sun • Flowers through warm monthsVerbenaPlant seedlings • Full sun • Flowers in 8–12 weeksLobeliaPlant seedlings • Part sun • Flowers in 8–12 weeksFuchsiaPlant a young shrub • Part shade • Flowers in 1–2 seasonsJasminePlant a vine • Full or part sun • Flowers in 1–2 seasonsAzaleaPlant a young shrub • Part shade • Flowers in 1–2 seasons
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Before you plant

A quick May garden check

  1. Check the forecast.Delay tender planting during frost, heatwaves, waterlogged weather or damaging wind.
  2. Prepare the soil.Remove weeds, check drainage and add mature compost where the plant benefits from it.
  3. Read the label.Exact varieties can need different depth, spacing, pollination or pruning.
  4. Water the root zone.Water new plants thoroughly and keep moisture consistent while roots establish.

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