May is the month when the gardening season shifts into high gear across most of the country. In cold-winter zones, the last frost is finally behind us, and it's time to get warm-season crops in the ground. In mild-winter zones, the garden is already humming, and the focus turns to keeping up with rapid spring growth. And in the warmest zones, the race is on to get heat-lovers established before summer temperatures take over. Whatever your zone, May is a month of momentum.
Zones 1-7a: May is the main planting kickoff in cold-winter zones, when gardens finally move from starts and prep into full outdoor action. Early May often still favors hardy transplants and direct-sown cool-season crops, while mid-to-late May is when many areas can safely set out warm-season plants as frost risk drops. Keep hardening off seedlings, use row cover if nights run cold, and focus on steady watering and early weed control so young plants establish quickly.
Zones 7b-9a: May is prime warm-season planting time in mild-winter zones, with soil temperatures rising and growth accelerating. This is the month to get main-season crops established outdoors, keep up with succession sowing, and set up supports before vines and tall plants take off. Watch moisture as days warm, mulch to hold soil moisture, and keep an eye out for the first big flush of pests as the garden hits its stride.
Zones 9b-12: May marks the shift into early summer conditions in the warm-winter zones, and gardens respond fast with rapid growth. Warm-season crops should be planted and growing strongly now, and succession sowing keeps harvests coming even as temperatures climb. Stay ahead of heat stress by mulching, watering consistently, and planting in the coolest part of the day - and in the hottest areas, begin planning for shade cloth and other summer protection.
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![Legend: H for Heirloom, O for Organic, A for AAS Winner, F for staff favorites]()
Tomatillo Seeds - Grande Rio Verde
80 days. (Husk Tomato) Large fruited tomatillo with sweet green fruits measuring 2 to 3 inches across (1.8 - 2.8 ounces), enclosed in a papery husk. Vigorous prostrate vine. Used...
Celery Seeds - Golden Self Blanching
Non-GMO Golden Self-Blanching Celery Seeds from True Leaf Market are a stocky, resistant heirloom celery variety. The open-pollinated, upright celery produces thick, string-free stalks that are crisp and rich. As...
Chives Seeds
Non-GMO, Heirloom Chives Herb Garden Seed from True Leaf Market. Allium schoenoprasum. Chives are native to regions in Asia and Europe. This Chive cultivar is common in the U.S. and...
Oregano Seeds - Greek
Origanum vulgare hirtum Perennial. Non-GMO, Heirloom Greek Oregano Herb Garden Seed from True Leaf Market. Origanum vulgare hirtum. Greek Oregano is a perennial herb native to regions in the Mediterranean....
Oats - Whole (Organic) - Grass Seeds
6-10 Days to maturity for juicing. Avena sativa. Organic Whole Oat Grass Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, organic, open-pollinated, heirloom. Suitable for growing in trays, and the field or garden. This product...
Sweet Marjoram Seeds
70 days. Annual. Non-GMO, Heirloom Marjoram Herb Garden Seed from True Leaf Market. Origanum majorana. Marjoram is a tender perennial herb in warmer regions and grown as an annual in...
Pepper - Sweet - Lilac Bell
70-80 Days to maturity (from transplant). Capsicum annuum. Lilac Bell Pepper Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, sweet pepper with no heat. 0 Scoville Heat Units. Resistant to Tobacco Mosaic Virus....
Wildflower Seeds - Bee Mix
50-365 Days to maturity. Bee Friendly Wildflower Seeds Mix. A non-GMO mix of annuals and perennial bee-friendly wildflowers for zones 3-9. The Bee Friendly Wildflower Mix grows some of the...
Tomato Seeds - Cherry - Rainbow Cherry Mix (Organic)
80 Days to maturity (from transplant). Solanum lycoperscium. Rainbow Cherry Mix (Organic) Tomato Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, indeterminate, cherry tomato. Suitable for growing in garden plots, raised beds, and...
Basil Seeds - Lemon
Non-GMO, Lemon Basil Herb Seed from True Leaf Market. Ocimum basilicum x citriodorum is native to India. As basil has many different varieties, Lemon Basil Herb is considered non-sweet and...
Dahlia Seeds - Figaro Series (Coated)
84-91 Days to maturity. Dahlia pinnata. Dahlia Figaro Series Seeds. Premium, Non-GMO, Annual or Perennial. Figaro Series dahlias are a simple way to grow classic southwestern color in your home,...
Broccoli Seeds - Green Sprouting Calabrese
brassica oleracea var. capitata (60-90 days) Start Green Sprouting broccoli early in the season and by early summer you will have tons of sweet broccoli. Harvest the central head then...
Broccoli Seeds - Di Cicco (Organic)
48 to 70 days. Annual. Organic Heirloom seeds. Di Cicco is an Italian heirloom broccoli dating back from 1890. Very vigorous plants produce heavy crops of 3 to 4 inch...
Thyme Seeds - French
Non-GMO, Heirloom, Open Pollinated French Thyme Herb Garden Seed from True Leaf Market. Thymus vulgaris. French Thyme is a cold hardy perennial with gray-green leaves and bold floral and earthy...
Basil Seeds - Green Leaf Holy Basil
65-75 days maturity. Ocimum sanctum. Green Leaf Holy Basil Seeds. Non-GMO, Heirloom. Annual. Holy basil is an essential herb in the Thai kitchen due to its unique flavor. It is...
Melon Seeds - Cantaloupe - Imperial 45
65-85 Days to maturity. Cucumis melo. Imperial 45 Cantaloupe Melon Seeds. A non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, AAS winner, heat-tolerant Cantaloupe Melon. Suitable for growing in garden plots, raised beds, and...
Gazania Seeds - New Day Series
84-91 Days to maturity. Gazania splendens. Gazania New Day Series Seeds. Non-GMO, Annual. New Day Series gazania seeds grow some of the most recognizable summertime blooms both indoors and out!...
Melon Seeds - Cantaloupe - Hearts of Gold
80-90 Days to maturity. Cucumis melo. Hearts of Gold Cantaloupe Melon Seeds. A non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, heat-tolerant Cantaloupe Melon. Suitable for growing in garden plots, raised beds, and greenhouses....
African Marigold Seeds - Taishan Series
77-84 days. Taishan Series is easy to grow from seed and delivers neat and disease-tolerant marigolds ideal for gardens prone to heat, drought, and poor soils. With 20% shorter peduncles...
Marshmallow Herb Seeds
60-90 Days to maturity. Althaea officinalis. Marshmallow Herb Seeds. Non-GMO, perennial, open-pollinated, heirloom. Suitable for growing in fields, containers, garden plots, and raised beds. A beautiful pollinator and traditional medicinal...
Lovage Seeds
Non-GMO, Heirloom Lovage Herb Garden Seed from True Leaf Market. Levisticum officinale. Lovage is a leafy perennial herb originating from regions in Southern Europe. This hardy and herbaceous variety is...
Collards Seeds - Morris Heading
75-85 days. Morris Heading Collard seeds grow slightly crumpled and loose heads. These compact Collard plants have short steamed leaves, and are tolerant to both the heat and the cold....
Tomato Seeds - Paste - San Marzano Determinate (Organic)
80-90 Days to maturity (from transplant). Solanum lycoperscium. San Marzano Determinate (Organic) Tomato Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, organic, heirloom, determinate, paste tomato. Suitable for growing in garden plots, raised beds,...
Lupine Seeds - Russell Strain Mixture
Sturdy, tightly-packed spikes in a wide range of bright colors including bi-color. 1 inch blooms open from top to bottom. Russell Mix Lupine Flowering Plant Seeds Lupines polyphyllus This tall,...
Melon Seeds - Canary Yellow
80-120 Days to maturity. Cucumis melo. Canary Yellow Melon Seeds. A non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, heat-tolerant Melon. Suitable for growing in garden plots, raised beds, and greenhouses. This winter melon...
Tomato Seeds - Slicing - Beefmaster Hybrid
80 Days to maturity (from transplant). Solanum lycopersicum. Beefmaster Hybrid Tomato Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, F1 hybrid, indeterminate, slicing tomato. Suitable for growing in garden plots, raised beds, greenhouses. Resistant to...
Tomato Seeds - Slicing - Mortgage Lifter
85-90 Days to maturity (from transplant). Solanum lycopersicum. Mortgage Lifter Tomato Seeds. Non-GMO, warm season annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, indeterminate, slicing tomato. Suitable for growing in garden plots, raised beds, and...
Roselle Seeds - Asian Sour Leaf (Hibiscus)
70-90 day maturity. Hibiscus sabdariffa. Asian Sour Leaf Roselle Seeds. Non-GMO, Cool-season perennial heirloom. This unique perennial can be grown as an annual in areas where it will not survive...
Hyssop Seeds
Non-GMO, Heirloom Hyssop Herb Garden Seed from True Leaf Market. Hyssopus officinalis. Hyssop is a flowering perennial herb native to regions in the Middle East. Shrub-like common Hyssop plants are...
African Marigold Seeds - Cracker Jack
77-84 Days to maturity. Tagetes erecta. Cracker Jack African Marigold Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated. Crackerjack seeds grow a vibrant golden orange and yellow mix of the famous African Marigold that...
Portulaca Seeds - Double Mix
84-91 Days to maturity. Portulaca grandiflora. Double Mix Portulaca Seeds. Non-GMO, annual. Double Mix portulaca seeds promise some of the most stunning, and most convenient succulents available to home gardeners....
Italian Dandelion Seeds
Non-GMO, Heirloom Italian (Chicory) Dandelion Herb Garden Seed from True Leaf Market. Cichorium intybus. This is a tender perennial that originates from Italy and isa type of chicory or endive....
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