What to Plant in Your Veggie Patch this May

As the crisp mornings and cozy evenings settle in, May is the time to get organised.

While the pace of growth slows with the cooler weather, your veggie patch can still thrive with the right plants. In fact, now’s the perfect opportunity to sow and grow a range of hearty, cold-tolerant crops that will ensure a bountiful harvest.

Here’s our guide to what you can plant this month in your veggie patch:

Leafy Greens

Cooler weather is a leafy green’s best friend! With less risk of bolting (this simply means it starts producing flower stalks and seeds instead of continuing to grow leaves) and fewer pests, it’s the perfect time to plant:

• Spinach – Fast-growing and packed with nutrients. Pick baby leaves for salads or let them mature for cooking.
• Silverbeet – Hardy and colourful, silverbeet thrives through winter and is incredibly versatile in the kitchen.
• Lettuce – Choose loose-leaf varieties for continuous harvests through the season.

Brassicas

Brassicas love Melbourne's cool May conditions. Start planting:

• Broccoli – Plant seedlings now for a late winter harvest.
• Cauliflower – Best grown from seedlings; they’ll enjoy the slow, steady cool weather.
• Cabbage – Another great winter staple, offering plenty of hearty meals when it’s cold outside.

Tip: Protect young brassicas from cabbage moths with netting.

Root Vegetables

• Carrots – Sow seeds directly into well-prepared soil for sweet, crunchy carrots later in winter.
• Beetroot – Beetroot loves the cool weather and gives you both vibrant roots and edible greens.
• Turnips – Quick to grow and ideal for hearty winter soups and roasts.

Alliums

Slow and steady wins the race when it comes to alliums:

• Garlic – May is prime garlic planting time! Pop individual cloves (pointy end up) into the soil and let them develop over winter for a summer harvest.
• Onions – Plant onion seedlings now for a slow but rewarding journey to harvest in spring and summer.
• Leeks – A great cold-season crop, leeks add flavour and heartiness to winter meals.

Herbs

Don't forget your herb patch! While some herbs slow down, others thrive:

• Parsley – Hardy and packed with flavour, parsley will push through the cold months.
• Thyme – Low-maintenance and perfect for winter stews and roasts.
• Coriander – Loves cooler weather and is less likely to bolt compared to summer planting.

A Few Quick Tips for May Planting:

• Prepare your soil: Add compost or well-aged manure to refresh the nutrients.
• Mulch well: Mulching helps retain moisture and keeps roots snug and warm.
• Keep an eye on the weather: Melbourne can still throw a few surprises, so be ready to cover tender seedlings if there’s a sudden cold snap.

Final Thoughts
Gardening in May is all about laying the foundations for a productive winter veggie patch. By planting thoughtfully now, you’ll not only enjoy some winter greens but also set yourself up for an abundant spring harvest. So pop on a cozy jumper, grab your gloves, and get your hands dirty — your garden will thank you for it!

Happy planting!