What to plant in May in Germany
12 vegetables, fruits and herbs to sow or plant in May in Germany, for the climate around Cologne–Bonn area, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.
Climate: Cool temperate climate with cold winters (down to about -6 °C, frosts Nov–Mar), mild wet summers, the warmest months Jun–Aug and about 60–130 mm rain a month, with the driest weather in April and July.
Vegetables
Lettuce Lactuca sativa
Cool spring and autumn weather suits it, and it can be sown in succession from March to August.
Harvest: 45–60 daysEasyIn potsCare guide →
Radish Raphanus sativus
It grows fast in the mild German season and can be sown repeatedly from spring to early autumn.
Harvest: 25–35 daysEasyIn pots
Carrot Daucus carota
Moderate summers and moist soil give sweet roots, and it stores well in the ground into autumn.
Harvest: 70–80 daysEasyIn potsCare guide →
Kale Brassica oleracea
It stands up to frost and gets sweeter after cold nights, so it yields well into winter.
Harvest: 60–80 daysEasyCare guide →
Tomato Solanum lycopersicum
Warm summers allow fruit to ripen outdoors, especially against a sunny south wall or in a balcony pot.
Harvest: 60–85 daysModerateIn potsCare guide →
Zucchini Cucurbita pepo
It is planted after frost and the warm summer gives heavy yields from a single plant.
Harvest: 50–60 daysEasyIn potsCare guide →
French bean Phaseolus vulgaris
Warm soil in late spring and summer produces a long harvest of pods.
Harvest: 50–60 daysEasyIn potsCare guide →
Beetroot Beta vulgaris
It tolerates cool weather and keeps well in the ground, giving reliable roots from spring to autumn.
Harvest: 55–70 daysEasyIn pots
Herbs
Chives Allium schoenoprasum
Perennial clumps survive the winter cold and resprout reliably each spring.
Harvest: 60–75 daysEasyIn potsCare guide →
Mint Mentha spicata
It is hardy and thrives in the moist, mild climate, though it needs a container to contain its spread.
Harvest: 60–90 daysEasyIn potsCare guide →
Thyme Thymus vulgaris
It survives the cold winters and enjoys the sunny, drier summer weeks.
Harvest: 70–90 daysEasyIn potsCare guide →
Basil Ocimum basilicum
Warm summers suit it, but it must be planted out after frost and kept sheltered from cold nights.
Harvest: 60–75 daysModerateIn potsCare guide →