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]()
Collards Seeds - Georgia Southern
70 days. Georgia Southern Collard seeds grow cabbage like dark green leaves, with a slightly crumpled texture. These collard leaves are huge and juicy, making them excellent for salads and...
Bean Seeds - Pole - Kentucky Blue
50-75 Days to maturity. Phaseolus vulgaris. Kentucky Blue Bean Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, high-yielding, AAS Winner, drought and heat tolerant, high-yielding, pole, snap string bean. Suitable for growing in containers,...
Buckwheat - Organic - Cover Crop Seeds
70-90 Days. Fagopyrum esculentum. Organic. Cover Crop. Heirloom. Non-GMO Organic buckwheat seeds grow an ancient foraging crop that, until recently, wasn't grown for much more than livestock fodder. Open-pollinated Organic...
Pepper Seeds - Sweet - Yolo Wonder L
75-80 days. Yolo Wonder L Sweet Pepper Seeds. Capsicum annuum. Heirloom. Non-GMO. Classic bell pepper shape, size, and flavor, Yolo Wonder L sweet pepper seeds are a summer favorite both...
Pea Seeds - Snap - Super Sugar Snap
60-70 Days to maturity. Pisum sativum. Super Sugar Snap Pea Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated. Suitable for growing in fields, containers, garden plots, raised beds, and greenhouses. Resistant to powdery mildew...
Calendula Seeds - Pacific Beauty Mixture
98-105 Days to maturity. Calendula officinalis. Pacific Beauty Mixture Calendula Seeds. Non-GMO, Open-pollinated. Annual. Pacific Beauty Mix calendula seeds are a tidy and vibrant addition to grow in any home...
Lettuce Seeds - Romaine - Little Gem
Non-GMO, Heirloom Little Gem Lettuce Seeds from True Leaf Market. These little treasures grow into small, green heads of lettuce that are ready to harvest in approximately 70 days. The...
Onion Seeds - Short - Red Creole
110 Days to maturity. Allium cepa. Red Creole Onion Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, bulbing, short-day onion. Suitable for growing in greenhouses, garden plots, raised beds, and containers. Resistant to...
Begonia Seeds - Tuberous - Nonstop Series (Pelleted)
119-133 Days to maturity. Begonia x tuberhybrida. Nonstop Series Tuberous Begonia Seeds. Non-GMO, hybrid, perennial, pelleted. Nonstop Series pelleted seeds promise exotic, easygoing 2-3-inch, mostly double blooms for hot, humid...
Pepper Seeds - Hot - Cayenne Long Slim
70-79 Days to maturity (from transplant). Capsicum annuum. Cayenne Long Slim Pepper Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, deer resistant, heat tolerant, drought tolerant, hot pepper with hot heat levels. 30,000...
Carrot Seeds - Scarlet Nantes
70 days. Scarlet Nantes carrot Seeds. Daucus carota subsp. sativus. Non-GMO. One of the most popular and widespread varieties of carrot ever, Scarlet Nantes has since been the original parent...
Cucumber Seeds - Muncher
65-70 days. Muncher Cucumber Seeds. Cucumis sativus. Non-GMO. Heirloom. One of the most reliably productive and tolerant grows on the farm or in the home garden, Muncher cucumber has become...
Corn Seeds - Sweet - Ambrosia Hybrid
80-90 Days to maturity. Zea mays. Ambrosia Hybrid Corn Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, hybrid, Sweet Corn. Suitable for growing in garden plots or raised beds. Corn tolerates heat and drought-prone regions....
Arugula Seeds - Slow Bolt
40-45 days. Eruca vesicaria sativa. Non-GMO. Herb. Annual. Non-GMO Slow Bolt arugula seeds are one of the fastest-growing crops available to home gardeners and, since they are slower to bolt,...
Radish Seeds - Cherry Belle (Organic)
Organic Cherry Belle is a Non- Gmo heirloom variety ready in 23 days. All-American Selection (AAS) winning radish variety that produces bright red globe-shaped fruit. The flesh or cherry belle...
Bean Seeds - Bush - BeSweet Edamame Soybean
75-105 Days to maturity. Glycine max. BeSweet Edamame Bean Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, bush, shell, soybean, high-yielding, Asian bean. Suitable for growing in containers, garden plots, raised beds, and greenhouses....
Squash Seeds - Winter - Waltham Butternut (Organic)
110 days to maturity. Cucurbita moschata. Organic Waltham Butternut Winter Squash Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, heirloom, open-pollinated, AAS winner. Suitable for growing in fields, garden plots, raised beds, and containers. The...
Kale Seeds - Red Russian
50-60 days. Red Russian Kale Seeds. Brassica napus var. pabularia. Non-GMO. Heirloom. A popular and tenacious red variation to the ever-popular Russian kale, Red Russian grows a lighter, but still...
Pepper Seeds - Sweet - Emerald Giant
77 Days to maturity (from transplant). Capsicum annuum. Emerald Giant Pepper Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, high-yielding, drought tolerant, sweet pepper with no heat. 0 Scoville Heat Units. Resistant to...
Squash Seeds - Winter - Vegetable Spaghetti (Organic)
80-100 days. Organic Vegetable Spaghetti Winter Squash Seeds. Cucurbita pepo. Non-GMO. Open Pollinated. Grow your own pasta replacement with Organic Vegetable Spaghetti Winter squash seeds. This spaghetti squash is ready...
Dill Seeds - Bouquet
65 Days to maturity. Anethum graveolens. Bouquet Dill Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom. Suitable for growing in fields, containers, garden plots, and raised beds. 3-foot plant with strongly aromatic foliage,...
Crimson Clover - Organic - Cover Crop Seeds
70-90 Days. Trifolium incarnatum. Organic. Cover Crop. Non-GMO. Heirloom Organic crimson clover seeds are an ideal annual garden companion and cover crop for plants and soils deficient in nitrogen. Use...
Lettuce Seeds - Leaf - Black Seeded Simpson
These non-GMO Black Seeded Simpson seeds grow into vibrant, green leaves of lettuce that are ready to harvest in just 40 to 49 days. The Black Seeded Simpson lettuce can...
Geranium Seeds - Pinto Premium Series
91-105 days maturity. Pelargonium x hortorum . Geranium Pinto Premium Series Seeds. Non-GMO, Annual. Ornamental. Pinto Premium Series geranium seeds promise some of the most classic yet eye-catching blooms available...
Basil Seeds - Genovese (Organic)
60-90 days to maturity. Ocimum basilicum. Organic Genovese Basil Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, organic, open-pollinated, heirloom. Suitable for growing in fields, containers, garden plots, raised beds, and greenhouses. Vigorous, tall-growing, large-leaved...
Pak Choi Seeds - White Stem
Up to 33 days. Pak Choi is also known as Bok Choy. The plant produces large, green leaves off a thick, white stem. Leaves have a mild and peppery flavor,...
Barley - Whole (Organic) - Grass Seeds
Barley grass sprouting seed, with the hull on (whole barley). Great germination rate and a great seed for sprouting, growing barleygrass and more. Grows healthy, thick bladed barley grass for...
Garbanzo Bean - Organic - Sprouting Seeds
2-5 Days. Cicer arietinum. High Germination. Organic. Sprouting. Widely known as chickpea or chana, non-GMO Organic garbanzo beans are one of the most nutritious and protein-rich sprouting seeds. Ready to...
Bean Seeds - Bush - Jade
50-65 Days to maturity. Phaseolus vulgaris. Jade Bush Bean Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, heat-tolerant, rust resistant, high-yielding, bush, snap green bean. Suitable for growing in containers, garden plots, raised...
Cucumber Seeds - Diva Hybrid
58 days. The Diva Hybrid cucumber is an early variety of cucumber that is sweet and tender. The Diva Hybrid is dark and semi glossy, and grows to be between...
Lettuce Seeds - Crisphead - Iceberg
70-79 days. These non-GMO Iceberg seeds grow into green heads of lettuce that are ready to harvest in 70 to 79 days. The Iceberg lettuce is one of the most...
Swiss Chard Seeds - Rainbow Mixture
60 days. The Rainbow Mixture Swiss Chard seed mix is a blend of different colored swiss chard varieties. The chard can grow in zones 6 and up, and the leaves...
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