5 Essential Garden Jobs for May (Zone 6 Veggie Patch Checklist)

Author: Meg

If you’re gardening in Zone 6, May is a month for action—planting warm-weather crops, mulching beds, watching for pests, and feeding your soil. Not in Zone 6? You can still use this list as a guide—just hop over to What Planting Zone Am I In? to see where you fall and adjust your timing accordingly.

Welcome to the Busy Season

If April felt like a gentle warm-up, May is when the veggie patch really hits its stride. The soil’s warming up, seedlings are stretching toward the sun, and your garden to-do list is growing almost as fast as the weeds.

This list is written with Zone 6 in mind, where our average last frost is finally in the rearview and the garden is ready to take off. Not in Zone 6? Don’t worry—everything here still applies, you just might need to shift the timing a little. You can check your USDA zone with this quick guide.

And if you’re feeling behind? You’re not. May always feels a little wild in the garden. Tackle what you can, when you can. Let’s dig in.

1. Harden Off Your Seedlings (Then Get Them in the Ground)

If you started your tomatoes, peppers, or other warm-season crops indoors earlier this spring, now’s the time to help them make the transition to real life outside. But just like we don’t toss kids into the deep end without swimming lessons, plants need a little time to adjust too.

Hardening off just means easing them into outdoor life—sunlight, wind, cooler temps, and all.

Here’s a simple schedule:

  • Day 1–2: Put them outside for 2–3 hours in dappled shade
  • Day 3–4: Increase to 4–5 hours, with some direct morning sun
  • Day 5–6: Leave them out for most of the day
  • Day 7: Let them stay out overnight if temps stay above 50°F

After that, they’re ready to plant out—just be gentle when transplanting and give them a good watering to settle in.

Bonus May planting tip:
Once the danger of frost is past (usually mid-May in Zone 6), you can direct sow beans, cucumbers, squash, and corn straight into the ground. They love the warming soil and will pop up fast.

2. Mulch Now, Thank Yourself Later

May is the perfect time to mulch your garden beds—before the heat sets in and the weeds get ideas of their own.

A good layer of mulch does a few big things all at once:

  • Keeps moisture in (less watering for you)
  • Blocks weeds from taking over
  • Helps regulate soil temperature
  • Prevents soil from splashing up on leaves (especially useful for tomatoes)

What to use:

  • Straw – light, easy to move, breaks down nicely
  • Shredded leaves – free, and fantastic for the soil as they decompose
  • Untreated grass clippings – spread them thin to avoid matting

Keep the mulch about 2–3 inches deep, and just pull it back a little from the base of each plant so the stems can breathe.

If you only do one thing this weekend? Lay some mulch. Your future self will high-five you in July.

3. Keep an Eye Out for Pests (They’re Waking Up Too)

You’re not the only one excited about the warmer weather—May is when a lot of bugs start making their grand entrance, too. The best thing you can do is catch problems early, before a few nibbles turn into a full-blown infestation.

Here’s what to watch for this month in Zone 6:

  • Aphids clustering on new growth
  • Flea beetles hopping on leafy greens
  • Cabbage worms hiding under brassica leaves
  • Cutworms snipping off seedlings at the base

Do a quick garden check a few mornings a week. Peek under leaves, check stems, and look for holes, spots, or anything that feels “off.”

Need help dealing with something munching your plants? Head over to How to Stop Pests Eating Your Veggies for natural, safe solutions that actually work.

Quick tip:
Now’s also a great time to tuck in some herbs and flowers that help with pest control—basil, dill, marigolds, and nasturtiums are hardworking little garden buddies.

4. Succession Plant for Steady Harvests

If you planted early spring crops like lettuce, spinach, or radishes back in March or April, they’re probably starting to fill out—or bolt. Instead of pulling everything at once and leaving empty spots, May is the perfect time to plant another round.

Why succession planting helps:

  • You avoid garden gluts (ahem, five heads of lettuce ready the same day)
  • You keep your harvest going well into summer
  • You make better use of your space over time

What to replant now in Zone 6:

  • Lettuce and spinach – still possible early in the month, especially in partial shade
  • Radishes, carrots, and beets – quick growers, great for a second round
  • Bush beans – a fresh batch every 2–3 weeks keeps the jars coming

Just check the seed packet for “days to maturity” so you’re not squeezing in something that won’t finish before summer heat kicks in.

And remember: if something’s starting to bolt, it’s not a fail—it’s just your garden telling you it’s time to replant.

5. Feed the Soil as You Go

By May, your garden is in full swing—but those hungry little plants need more than sunshine and encouragement to thrive. Now’s a great time to top up the nutrients and keep your soil working hard (without burning anything out).

Simple ways to feed your garden mid-spring:

  • Compost: a light layer around plants adds nutrients and improves soil texture
  • Worm castings: gentle, nutrient-rich, and great for seedlings
  • Organic fertilizer: choose a balanced, slow-release blend and scratch it into the top few inches of soil

Focus on the heavy feeders:
Tomatoes, corn, squash, cabbage, and anything fruiting will all benefit from a little boost. Just don’t overdo it—especially with nitrogen, or you’ll end up with monster leaves and no fruit.

Healthy soil grows strong plants, and strong plants resist pests, weather stress, and disease better. It’s like giving your garden a multivitamin before the summer really kicks in.

You Don’t Have to Do It All Today

May can feel a little frantic in the veggie patch—everything’s growing, everything needs attention, and somehow the weeds got the memo too. But don’t worry if you can’t tick off every job at once. Even a few small wins each week will keep your garden on track.

Stick to what matters most: get your plants settled, mulch your beds, keep an eye out for bugs, and give your soil a little love. The rest can fall into place as you go. By the end of the month, your garden will look like it’s ready for summer—and so will you.

Read Next

Want a little extra guidance as the season gets going? These posts will help:

Categories: Gardening