Favorable days for gardening in May have been named
May is traditionally considered the time of the beginning of work in the garden and vegetable garden. At this time, summer residents plant seedlings and sow crops in the open ground. The future harvest largely depends on the right planting dates and weather. Vladimir Vikulov, chief agronomist of the Timiryazev Academy, told Izvestia about what can be planted in May, what conditions are important to consider and whether it is worth focusing on the lunar sowing calendar popular with gardeners.
Lunar sowing calendar for May 2026
The use of high-quality seed and proper care of plants almost always give a stable and high yield. However, many summer residents still turn to the lunar sowing calendar. This method is based on the phases of the moon and serves as a convenient guide for gardeners, allowing them to structure seasonal work and distribute the load on the site.
According to traditional beliefs, different phases of the moon have different effects on plants.:
The full moon (May 1 and 31) is the period when plants are most vulnerable, so they try not to plant.
The waning Moon (from May 2 to May 15) — during this period, the root system develops more actively, so the time is considered favorable for planting root crops (carrots, potatoes, radishes), as well as onions and garlic.
The new Moon (May 16) is an unfavorable period for any planting work.
The growing Moon (from May 17 to May 30) promotes the growth of plants with above—ground fruits (cabbage, cucumbers, tomatoes, zucchini, greens and flowers).
Additionally, such calendars take into account the position of the Moon in the zodiac signs. It is believed that they are divided into fertile and infertile.
The first include Taurus, Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces, the signs of the elements of Water and Earth. According to astrologers, on "fertile" days, plants take root better and yield higher yields. Therefore, some summer residents tend to plant on these days.
The unfavorable ones include Aries, Leo and Aquarius. According to the beliefs of the proponents of the method, the plants sown during this period develop poorly and bear little fruit.
If we focus on the lunar sowing calendar, then the favorable days for sowing are in May 2026. — 2, 6, 7, 11, 12, 19, 20, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 May. These are universal days for most gardening activities, when you can plant, replant and take care of plants.
If we take into account the combination of phases of the Moon and zodiac signs, then May 19, 20, 28, 29 and 30 are particularly successful dates.
At the same time, agronomists claim that there is no scientific evidence of the effectiveness of this approach. In particular, Vladimir Vikulov notes that the influence of the lunar calendar is rather psychological — it helps gardeners to structure their work, but it is not a decisive factor for the harvest. According to him, the quality of seeds, soil condition and fertilizers are much more important.
What to plant in the garden during the May holidays
The timing of sowing operations is largely determined by the climate of the region. In the southern regions, the planting of vegetables and herbs begins in April. In the middle zone, the peak of the planting season falls in May. As Vladimir Vikulov noted, if the weather is favorable at this time, you can safely plant a number of vegetable crops and herbs.
"First of all, in May it is possible to sow cold—resistant vegetable crops - greens, including parsley, dill and cilantro. These plants tolerate short-term frosts well and germinate after 4-7 days, depending on the weather. You can also plant spring garlic and various types of cabbage — white cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, kohlrabi and Brussels sprouts," the expert said.
At the same time, the agronomist emphasized that seedlings should be seasoned and ready for temperature changes. He warned that frosts are possible in central Russia until the beginning of June, so the plantings must be protected. To do this, it is recommended to plant seedlings in furrows with the possibility of quick cover with non-woven fabric.
In addition, they sow in May.:
- carrots, radishes, turnips, parsnips;
- peas, beans, and green beans;
- lettuce and other greens;
- cucumbers, zucchini, pumpkins.
At the same time, it is better to plant heat—loving crops later - in the second half of May, when night temperatures become stable, or temporarily cover with a film.
Watering and soil preparation in May
Watering and soil conditions require special attention in May. These factors largely determine how well seedlings will take root and how quickly seedlings will appear. As Vladimir Vikulov explained, the approach to these works should be flexible and take into account the weather conditions.
According to a specialist from the Timiryazev Academy, the ideal option is to prepare the beds from autumn. In this case, the amount of work is significantly reduced in the spring.
"The soil should always be ready. If the beds have been dug up and filled with organic matter since autumn, in the spring it remains only to form holes and, if necessary, apply mineral fertilizers," he said.
How to prepare the ground in spring
- remove foliage and weeds left over from autumn;
- loosen the soil surface with a rake;
- if the soil is depleted, apply organic fertilizers.;
- form beds and furrows for sowing.
Vikulov also drew attention to an important nuance: you can start work only when the soil is "ripe" — that is, it is not too wet and does not stick to the tools. The expert explained that after heavy rainfall, the ground often becomes heavy and clayey.
"In this state, it is difficult to process it: it sticks, crumbles badly, which makes it impossible to carefully form beds and evenly sow seeds. In this case, it is better to wait a little while until the soil dries," he said.
As for watering, the specialist noted that in early May it is usually not required due to high humidity. However, with the onset of warm and dry weather, it becomes necessary.
When to expect the first shoots and harvest in May
The timing of the emergence of seedlings and the first harvest in May depends on the selected crops, the weather and the care of the plantings. As Vladimir Vikulov noted, many cold—resistant plants develop quite quickly - the first shoots can be seen in a week.
First of all, it concerns greens — dill, parsley and cilantro. According to the expert, such crops germinate in an average of 4-7 days, depending on weather conditions. In warm weather and sufficient humidity, they grow quickly and are suitable for cutting in a few weeks.
Early—ripening root crops such as radish, radish and daikon are characterized by rapid growth. When sown in May, they can be harvested after 1-1.5 months. Legumes, including peas, are also developing quite rapidly. According to Vikulov, the first fruits appear about 40-50 days after germination, but the timing may vary depending on the variety and growing conditions.
In greenhouses, the harvest can be obtained even earlier. For example, when planting precocious varieties of cucumbers, the first fruits appear after 45-50 days.
"If you plant cucumbers from May 1 to May 10, then you can start harvesting in early June," the agronomist explained.
In general, the expert emphasized, the growth rate of plants depends on the air and soil temperature, humidity level, seed quality and compliance with the rules of cultivation. Under favorable conditions, most crops germinate within a week, and the first harvest can be obtained within 30-50 days after sowing.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
