This is the last post in our 3-part series discussing the best vegetables, fruits, and herbs to plant during the month of May. Hope you have enjoyed Part 1 and Part 2 of this content.
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Herbs to Plant in May
Herbs adore warm weather and grow quickly, making them perfect for May planting.
BASIL
Harvest window: Late June onward; pinch regularly for continuous growth.
Mentioned in the Bible?: Basil isn’t mentioned in the Bible.
Traditions linked to Christianity but not commanded by Jesus or the Apostles: The association between basil and the True Cross comes primarily from the Eastern Orthodox Church, Greek Orthodox tradition, and Byzantine communities. In these traditions, a legend says that basil grew around the site where St. Helena discovered the True Cross in the 4th century.
Myth: In medieval Europe, basil was associated with dragons and scorpions. Some believed smelling basil would cause a scorpion to grow in your brain — a superstition that lasted centuries.
Legend: In India, holy basil (tulsi) is sacred and believed to be the earthly form of a goddess.
OREGANO
Harvest window: Mid-summer through fall.
Mentioned in the Bible?: Oregano is related to hyssop, a cleansing herb mentioned frequently in the Bible. In Psalm 51:7, David says, “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean.”
Myth: Ancient Greeks believed oregano was created by Aphrodite as a symbol of joy. Newlyweds wore oregano crowns to bless their marriage.
Legend: It was planted on graves to bring peace to the dead.
THYME
Harvest window: Mid-summer onward; thrives in heat.
Mentioned in the Bible?: Thyme grew throughout the ancient Near East and was used for purification and incense. While not named directly, it’s often associated with the aromatic herbs used in temple rituals.
Myth: In medieval Europe, thyme was believed to help one see fairies. People carried thyme in pouches or planted it near gardens to attract them.
Legend: Roman soldiers bathed in thyme to gain courage before battle.
My #foodie posts. Thyme: The Herb of Courage: Its Use for Cooking and Medicine medium.com/foodie-luv/t... #Herbs And #Spices #Food #FoodHistory
— [α΄Κα΄α΄α΄ΚΚΚ κ°α΄x α΄α΄α΄ α΄α΄α΄Ι΄α΄Κκ±α΄ΙͺΙ΄Ι΄α΄Κ] π (@cmoneyspinner.bsky.social) 2025-06-28T17:08:08.933Z
CILANTRO
Harvest window: Late June, but bolts quickly in heat—plant in partial shade for longer life.
Mentioned in the Bible?: Coriander is explicitly mentioned in Exodus 16:31, where manna is described as “white like coriander seed.” It symbolizes God’s miraculous provision.
Myth: Coriander seeds were found in the tomb of Tutankhamun, leading some to believe it was a sacred plant meant to accompany souls into the afterlife.
Legend: Ancient healers believed coriander could bring love and passion when added to wine.
Harvest window: Late June, but bolts quickly in heat—plant in partial shade for longer life.
Mentioned in the Bible?: Coriander is explicitly mentioned in Exodus 16:31, where manna is described as “white like coriander seed.” It symbolizes God’s miraculous provision.
Myth: Coriander seeds were found in the tomb of Tutankhamun, leading some to believe it was a sacred plant meant to accompany souls into the afterlife.
Legend: Ancient healers believed coriander could bring love and passion when added to wine.
History of Simple Things. “Parsley vs. Cilantro – Why They’re Always Confused [ID0914].” YouTube, 15 Jan. 2026, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EttVe4bCiPo.
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PARSLEY
Harvest window: Mid-summer through frost.
Mentioned in the Bible?: Parsley isn’t mentioned in the Bible, but in Jewish tradition it plays a role in the Passover Seder, symbolizing new life and spring.
Myth: In Greek mythology, parsley sprang from the blood of Archemorus, a child whose death foretold doom. Because of this, parsley was associated with both death and victory.
Legend: Romans believed parsley could protect against intoxication and wore it as garlands during feasts.
Final Thoughts
Planting in May gives you a garden that thrives physically and practically overflows by midsummer. With warm soil, reliable sunshine, and the full growing season ahead, your vegetables, fruits, and herbs get the best possible start. Have you been inspired? Are you dreaming of juicy tomatoes, fragrant herbs, or sweet summer melons? May is your green light month. Thanks for reading.
(P.S. Don't feel bad if you don't have a backyard. Many of these vegetables, fruits, and herbs can be grown successfully in containers.)
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REFERENCES/SOURCES:
The Bible. Authorized King James Version, Oxford UP, 1997.
Dalby, Andrew. Food in the Ancient World from A to Z. Routledge, 2003.
Davidson, Alan. The Oxford Companion to Food. Oxford UP, 2014.
Foster, Nelson. “The Three Sisters: Corn, Beans, and Squash.” Native American Food Plants: An Ethnobotanical Dictionary, edited by Daniel E. Moerman, Timber Press, 1998.
Graves, Robert. The Greek Myths. Penguin Books, 2017.
Hageneder, Fred. The Meaning of Trees: Botany, History, Healing, Lore. Chronicle Books, 2005.
Kritsky, Gene. The Tears of Re: Beekeeping in Ancient Egypt.
Oxford UP, 2015.
(Referenced for Egyptian agricultural myths,
including melon lore.)
Leeming, David. The Oxford Companion to World Mythology. Oxford UP, 2005.
Moerman, Daniel E. Native American Ethnobotany. Timber Press, 1998.
Nash, George. Fairy Lore: A Handbook. Reaktion Books,
2022.
(Used for thyme and fairy related folklore.)
O’Shea, Stephen. The Perfect Heresy: The Revolutionary Life
and Death of the Medieval Cathars. Walker & Co.,
2001.
(Referenced for medieval herb superstitions, including
basil.)
Riddle, John M. Ancient and Medieval Herbal Medicine: Theory and Practice. Duke UP, 1992.
Rupp, Rebecca. How Carrots Won the Trojan War: Curious (but
True) Stories of Common Vegetables. Storey Publishing,
2011.
(Used for tomato, cucumber, and bean folklore.)
Simoons, Frederick J. Plants of Life, Plants of Death.
Univ. of Wisconsin Press, 1998.
(Referenced for parsley’s Greek
funerary associations.)
Turner, Jack. Spice: The History of a Temptation. Vintage
Books, 2005.
(Used for pepper mythology and ritual uses.)
Zohary, Daniel, et al. Domestication of Plants in the Old
World. Oxford UP, 2012.
(Used for historical origins of
Biblical era crops.)
