Asparagus
Plant out
A twenty-year crop: plant crowns in winter, then wait before your first real pick. This is a may action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.
Adelaide, SA · Mediterranean temperate
What to plant in Adelaide in May
A data-backed may starting point for the Adelaide & Mediterranean SA growing profile. GrowCal uses this profile to resolve the baseline schedule for each plant.
What to plant in May
These plants have dated GrowCal schedule data for this regional profile and include a sow or plant-out action in May. Select a plant name to read its broader Australian guide.
Bok Choy
Sow seeds
Grows fast in cool weather; harvest at any size you like. This is a may action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.
Broad Beans
Sow seeds
A winter crop that feeds the soil; stake it if the site is windy. This is a may action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.
Cabbage
Sow seeds
Space generously and net against cabbage whites. This is a may action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.
Chives
Plant out
Plant in clumps and cut leaves at the base; divide established clumps to make more. This is a may action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.
Coriander
Sow seeds · Plant out
Sow direct into cool-season beds and keep it moist; heat and root disturbance make it bolt. This is a may action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.
Kale
Sow seeds
Pick outer leaves as you need them and the plant keeps producing for months. This is a may action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.
Lettuce
Sow seeds
Pick outer leaves and keep water up — heat and dryness turn lettuce bitter. This is a may action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.
Onion
Sow seeds
Choose a variety matched to your day length and keep the bed weed free. This is a may action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.
Parsley
Sow seeds · Plant out
Direct sow or plant seedlings; cut outer stems at the base so the plant keeps reshooting. This is a may action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.
Peas
Sow seeds
Get the trellis in before sowing; peas hate root disturbance. This is a may action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.
Radish
Sow seeds
The quickest crop in the patch and a good one for impatient kids. This is a may action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.
Rocket
Sow seeds
Fast, hardy and best picked young; water well or it turns hot and bitter. This is a may action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.
Snow Peas
Sow seeds
Sow direct into damp soil, give them something to climb, and pick often. This is a may action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.
Spinach
Sow seeds
Grow it fast and keep the water up, or the leaves turn bitter. This is a may action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.
May garden jobs
GrowCal also surfaces maintenance and harvest actions when the resolved schedule lists them for this month.
Vegetables
Herbs
Fruit Trees & Citrus
Why timing varies locally
Adelaide is not one uniform growing environment. This page uses the mapped Adelaide & Mediterranean SA profile, while a nearby locality may resolve differently. Frost pockets, shade, soil, aspect and the variety you grow can all change what is sensible in a particular garden. Treat these dates as a prompt to look at your garden, not a rigid instruction.
Read the GrowCal data & methodology for sources, validation status and limitations.
Ready to plan your year?
Enter your suburb, city or postcode to resolve the regional profile for your own garden and choose the plants you grow.
Build my personalised calendar