What to plant in May in China
8 vegetables, fruits and herbs to sow or plant in May in China, for the climate around Shanghai, China.
Climate: Humid subtropical: winter nights fall below freezing from December to February, summers are hot and humid, June to August brings plum-rain and typhoon rains (Aug about 450 mm), and the growing season runs roughly from late March to late November.
Vegetables
Tomato Solanum lycopersicum
Warm, long summers ripen fruit well, and seedlings set easily once nights stay above 15 °C.
Harvest: 60–80 days after transplantingEasyIn potsCare guide →
Sweet pepper Capsicum annuum
The hot Shanghai summer suits peppers, which fruit steadily from July to October.
Harvest: 70–90 days after transplantingEasyIn potsCare guide →
Eggplant Solanum melongena
Heat-loving and productive in the humid summers, and a staple of local cooking.
Harvest: 70–90 days after transplantingEasyIn potsCare guide →
Cucumber Cucumis sativus
Direct-sown after the last frost, cucumbers thrive in the warm, humid early summer.
Harvest: 50–70 daysEasyIn potsCare guide →
Zucchini Cucurbita pepo
Vigorous and heavy-yielding in the warm season, with no frost risk once it is sown after April.
Harvest: 45–60 daysEasyIn potsCare guide →
Fruits
Watermelon Citrullus lanatus
Shanghai's hot, sunny summers give the heat and length of season that melons need to sweeten.
Harvest: 80–100 daysModerate
Herbs
Basil Ocimum basilicum
Thrives in the warm, humid summer and grows well in balcony pots.
Harvest: 30–40 daysEasyIn potsCare guide →
Chinese chives Allium tuberosum
Frost-hardy perennial that regrows after cutting, and is a common herb in Shanghai kitchens.
Harvest: 60–80 daysEasyIn pots