What to plant in May in Italy
5 vegetables, fruits and herbs to sow or plant in May in Italy, for the climate around Umbria and Marche border, central Italy (Perugia–Terni area).
Climate: Cold winters with frosts down to about -3 °C from November to February, hot dry summers peaking near 38 °C, and a wet autumn and winter with the heaviest rain from October to February, while June to August are nearly rainless.
Vegetables
Tomato Solanum lycopersicum
Warm dry summers ripen fruit well once seedlings are planted after the last frost.
Harvest: 70–90 daysEasyIn potsCare guide →
Zucchini Cucurbita pepo
Hot summer days give vigorous growth and heavy yields with little care.
Harvest: 45–60 daysEasyIn potsCare guide →
Beetroot Beta vulgaris
Tolerates both spring cool and summer heat, giving a long harvest window.
Harvest: 55–70 daysEasyIn pots
Sweet pepper Capsicum annuum
Hot summers ripen peppers well once transplanted after the frosts.
Harvest: 70–90 daysModerateIn potsCare guide →
Herbs
Basil Ocimum basilicum
Loves the warm summer days and thrives on a sunny balcony.
Harvest: 60–70 daysEasyIn potsCare guide →