GrowCalAustralia

Darwin, NT · Tropical monsoon

What to plant in Darwin in May

A data-backed may starting point for the Darwin & Top End 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.

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.

Basil

Sow seeds · Plant out

Sow into punnets once frost has passed and pinch out flower buds to keep leaves coming. This is a may action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Beetroot

Sow seeds

Thin seedlings early — each seed cluster produces several plants. This is a may action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Broccoli

Sow seeds

Feed well, watch for cabbage white caterpillars and cut the main head before it opens. This is a may action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Brussels Sprouts

Plant out · Feed & fertilise

A long, cold-season crop — worth the wait after the first frosts. 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.

Carrot

Sow seeds

Sow direct into deep, friable, stone-free soil and keep the surface damp. This is a may action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Celery

Sow seeds

Plant in a block for longer stems, and never let it dry out. This is a may action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Chives

Sow seeds · 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.

Cucumber

Sow seeds

Train up a trellis for straighter fruit and far less mildew. This is a may action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Dill

Sow seeds

Sow direct in a sheltered sunny spot; it runs to seed quickly, so keep sowing. This is a may action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Fennel

Sow seeds · Plant out · Feed & fertilise

Grown for the swollen bulb; blanch it late to keep the flavour sweet. This is a may action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Garlic

Plant out

Plant single cloves in full sun and free-draining soil; harvest in summer. This is a may action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Leek

Sow seeds

Plant deep and mound soil up the stems for a long white shank. This is a may action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Lemongrass

Sow seeds · Plant out

Full sun and moist, well-drained soil; it is frost tender, so pot it in cold districts. This is a may action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Mint

Sow seeds · Plant out

Plant into a pot or a contained bed — mint runs, and it prefers moist soil in light shade. This is a may action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Oregano

Sow seeds · Plant out

Keep it on the dry side and harvest often — unpicked plants turn hard and woody. 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

Plant out · Feed & fertilise

Get the trellis in before sowing; peas hate root disturbance. This is a may action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Potato

Plant out

Plant certified seed potatoes in well-drained soil and mound as they grow. This is a may action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Pumpkin

Sow seeds

Give it room to run, and hand-pollinate early in the morning for reliable fruit. This is a may action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Rockmelon

Sow seeds · Plant out · Feed & fertilise

Frost sensitive and hungry for sun — give it six hours a day and room to spread. This is a may action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Rosemary

Sow seeds · Plant out

Give it hot, dry, well-drained conditions; in the tropics and subtropics keep it in a pot. This is a may action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Sage

Sow seeds · Plant out

A permanent full-sun spot with very sharp drainage; do not enrich the soil. This is a may action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Shallot

Sow seeds · Feed & fertilise

Push the bulbs in with their tops just showing and leave them room. This is a may action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Spring Onion

Sow seeds

Grown as a cut-and-come-again crop; a few clumps cover most kitchen needs. This is a may action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Strawberry

Sow seeds · Plant out · Feed & fertilise

Plant runners into free-draining soil, mulch with straw and feed while fruiting. This is a may action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Sweet Corn

Sow seeds

Plant in a block, not a row, so the flowers pollinate each other. This is a may action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Tomato

Plant out

Plant deeply, stake early and water at the base to keep leaves dry. This is a may action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Turnip

Sow seeds

Quick and forgiving; pull them young for the best texture. This is a may action in the resolved GrowCal schedule.

Watermelon

Sow seeds · Plant out · Feed & fertilise

Sow into warm soil with room to run, and ease off water once the fruit sizes up. 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 & Berries

  • RockmelonSow seeds · Plant out · Feed & fertilise
  • StrawberrySow seeds · Plant out · Feed & fertilise
  • WatermelonSow seeds · Plant out · Feed & fertilise

Why timing varies locally

Darwin is not one uniform growing environment. This page uses the mapped Darwin & Top End 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.

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