Welcome to the Living Smart Program | Welcome to the Living Smart Program

May is a prime planting month for autumn and winter crops.

We only have short seasons during autumn (April/May) and winter (June/July), so it's important to make the most of them. That means getting your timing right and being prepared to plant while pest activity has slowed down due to cooler temperatures and lower humidity.

A good approach is to sow little and often. This succession planting method gives you a steady supply of fresh food instead of one big harvest all at once.

What to plant in May

Focus on crops that thrive in cooler weather and grow quickly.

Leafy greens (great for garden beds or vertical gardens):

Silverbeet and perpetual spinach
Lettuce and rocket
Asian greens like tatsoi
Coriander and celery

Vegetables:

Broccoli, kale, cabbage and cauliflower
Carrots, radish and spring onions
Peas and beans (start with bush varieties, then climbers)
Garlic, leeks and potatoes

Quick win: harvest many of these as microgreens for a fast, nutrient-rich crop.

Tips for success:

Start with bush beans and peas for early harvests
Follow with climbing varieties for longer yields
Grow leafy greens in vertical gardens to save space and improve airflow

Fruit, herbs and flowers

Fruit to plant or maintain:

Citrus and passionfruit
Strawberries (plant runners now)
Pawpaw and tropical fruit trees

Remove flowers from young fruit trees so they can build strong roots first.

Herbs that thrive now:

Coriander and dill (they love cooler weather)
Parsley, fennel and lemongrass
Pineapple sage (easy from cuttings)

Flowers to plant:

Marigold, nasturtium and calendula
Sweet pea, pansy and viola

Plant flowers among your vegetables to attract beneficial insects and support natural pest control.

Smart soil and compost tips

Healthy soil is the key to a productive garden. May is the perfect time to build it up.

Start or refresh your compost using garden prunings and kitchen scraps
Add grass clippings as mulch or compost material
After rain, boost compost activity while moisture levels are high
Top up containers and vertical gardens with fresh potting mix

If your soil is dry and lifeless, focus on improving it before planting. Adding organic matter now will pay off all season.

Easy garden jobs this month

Prune shrubs, lemongrass and perennials to encourage new growth
Use prunings as mulch or compost (‘chop and drop’)
Feed citrus and fruit trees
Mulch garden beds to keep moisture in and regulate soil temperature
Harvest and save seeds from summer crops
Cut back arrowroot and other fast-growing plants for compost

Simple ways to grow more for less

someone posting seeds into a seed library box

Grow new plants from cuttings or by dividing clumps
Save seeds from herbs and vegetables
Visit the seed library
Regrow food from kitchen scraps like spring onions and celery
Swap plants or materials with neighbours

These small habits help build a more sustainable, low-cost garden.

Watch out for pests

Even in cooler weather, a few common pests can still cause problems.

Fruit fly:

Use traps early in the season
Net your trees to protect fruit
Keep trees small for easier management

Caterpillars on brassicas:

Plant nasturtiums as a trap crop
Try cress as a “dead-end” plant where caterpillars won’t survive
Use netting or hand-pick pests

A mix of strategies works best – prevention, plant diversity and regular checks.

Make the most of your harvest

Pick leafy greens early in the morning for best flavour and freshness
Use herbs regularly to encourage growth
Freeze, dry or share excess produce

Final tip

Think of May as your garden reset month. Build your soil, plant wisely and use every resource you have – from compost to cuttings. A little effort now will set you up for a healthy, productive winter harvest on the Sunshine Coast.