PLANTING GUIDE: MAY

May weather is often ideal for gardening. Temperatures are generally mild, and the soil is warm, so plants take off quickly.

If conditions are unusually hot, water more often. It’s also a good idea to plant in the afternoon and shield new transplants from sunlight for a couple of days.

Here is a sampling of what can be planted this month:

FLOWERS from seed or starter plants

Ageratum * Alyssum * Aster * Bachelor’s button * Begonia * Bromeliad * Cactus * Calendula * Campanula * Candytuft * Cineraria * Coleus * Cosmos * Dahlia * Delphinium * Dianthus * Forget-me-not * Foxglove * Fuchsia * Gazania * Geranium * Ginger * Heliotrope * Hollyhock * Impatiens * Kalanchoe * Linaria * Lobelia * Marigold * Nasturtium * Nicotiana * Penstemon * Petunia * Phlox * Portulaca * Purple coneflower * Salvia * Society garlic * Statice * Succulents * Sunflower * Verbena * Vinca * Wildflowers * Yarrow * Zinnia

VEGETABLES, FRUIT and HERBS

Arugula * Basil * Bean * Beet * Cantaloupe * Carrot * Chervil * Chive * Cilantro * Collards * Corn * Cucumber * Dill * Eggplant * Endive * Fennel * Kale * Kohlrabi * Lavender * Lemon balm * Lettuce * Sweet marjoram * Mint * Melon * New Zealand spinach * Okra * Green Onions * Oregano * Parsley * Peanut * Pepper * Pumpkin * Radish * Sage * Summer savory * Winter savory * Squash * Swiss chard * French tarragon * Thyme * Tomato * Turnip * Watermelon

TREES, SHRUBS and VINES

Bougainvillea * Citrus * Gardenia * Hibiscus * Hydrangea * Jasmine * Lantana * Mandevilla * Morning glory * Moonflower * Natal plum * Passion vine * Plumeria * Rose * Rosemary * Wisteria

Researched by JULIE BAWDEN DAVIS / For the Times