Seattle in May: what to plant
Averaged over the last 5 years of daily records, May in Seattle runs 9.4–17.8°C with about 56 mm of rain across the month. Here is what that climate actually supports.
❄️ No sub-zero nights in May in the last 5 years — frost is not the limiting factor here.
Best crops to sow now
- 🌱 Microgreens Fastest about 7 days to harvest 🪴 Windowsill pot — sheltered from outdoor weather
- 🌿 Basil about 29 days to harvest 🪴 Windowsill pot — sheltered from outdoor weather
- 🍒 Cherry Radish about 35 days to harvest Recent mean 13.6°C — right in the sweet spot
- 🌿 Spinach about 52 days to harvest Recent mean 13.6°C — right in the sweet spot
- 🥬 Bok Choy about 53 days to harvest Recent mean 13.6°C — right in the sweet spot
- 🥗 Lettuce about 68 days to harvest Recent mean 13.6°C — right in the sweet spot
- 🍓 Strawberry about 79 days to harvest Recent mean 13.6°C — right in the sweet spot
- 🥕 Carrot about 100 days to harvest Recent mean 13.6°C — right in the sweet spot
Leave these for another month
- 🌶️ Chili Pepper — Recent mean 13.6°C is too cold (ideal 18–32°C)
- 🥒 Cucumber — Recent mean 13.6°C is too cold (ideal 18–32°C)
- 🎃 Pumpkin — Recent mean 13.6°C is too cold (ideal 16–30°C)
Other months in Seattle
Temperature and rainfall are 5-year daily normals from the ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo. Suitability is scored with the same degree-day model the game runs on — it is not a generic planting calendar.