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]()
Tomato Seeds - Slicing - Cherokee Purple (Organic)
80-90 Days to maturity (from transplant). Solanum lycopersicum. Organic Cherokee Purple Tomato Seeds. Non-GMO, warm-season annual, organic, open-pollinated, heirloom, heat-tolerant, indeterminate, slicing tomato. Suitable for growing in garden plots, raised...
Carrot Seeds - Rainbow Blend (Organic)
65-75 days. The Rainbow Blend Carrot is an excellent way to get lots of colors in the garden all at once! This kaleidoscope of carrots is a colorful mixture of...
Carrot Seeds - Scarlet Nantes (Organic)
70 days. Organic Scarlet Nantes carrot Seeds. Daucus carota subsp. sativus. Non-GMO. One of the most popular and widespread varieties of carrot ever, Organic Scarlet Nantes has since been the...
Hard Red Winter Wheat - Organic - Cover Crop Seeds
90 Days. Triticum aestivum. Open-Pollinated. Cover Crop. Organic. Non-GMO Organic hard red winter wheat cover crop seeds are one of the most tolerant and beneficial grows available to home gardeners....
Spicy Salad Mix (Organic) - Microgreens Seeds
8-12 days. A flavorful and colorful combination of microgreens that grow well together and can be harvested at 10 days. Contains: Broccoli, Kale, Kohlrabi, Arugula, Red Cabbage & Mustard for...
Chamomile Seeds - German (Organic)
60+ Days to maturity. Matricaria chamomilla. Organic German Chamomile Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, organic, open-pollinated, heirloom. Suitable for growing in fields, containers, garden plots, raised beds, and greenhouses. German Chamomile makes...
Sunflower Microgreens Seeds - Organic
8-12 Days to harvest. Helianthus annuus. Organic Sunflower Seeds. Sunflowers are some of the most popular microgreens on the market. Grow your own with these organic seeds. If you are...
Bean Salad Mix - Organic - Sprouting Seeds
2-4 Days. Non-GMO. High Germination. Organic. One of the best tasting and versatile sprout mixes available, non-GMO Organic Bean Salad Mix boasts some of the most popular and delicious legumes....
Cucumber Seeds - Straight Eight (Organic)
55-65 Days to maturity. Cucumis sativus. Organic Straight Eight Cucumber Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, organic, open-pollinated, heirloom, 1935 AAS-winning, slicing cucumber. Suitable for growing in fields, containers (with support), garden plots,...
Carrot Seeds - Tendersweet - Organic
Daucus carota (75 days) Tendersweet has long, 9-10" tapered roots; rich orange color; sweet, and coreless. This heirloom carrot is a reliable producer that has been pleasing folks for generations....
Cat Grass Seeds - Seed Blend (Organic)
7-10 Days to Harvest. Triticum aestivum, Hordeum vulgare, Secale cereale, and Avena sativa. Organic Cat Grass Blend Sprouting Seeds. Non-GMO. High Germination. Cat & Pet Grass Seed Blend. Non-GMO, Certified...
Bean Seeds - Bush - Tendergreen (Organic)
50-65 Days to maturity. Phaseolus vulgaris. Organic Tendergreen Bush Bean Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, organic, heirloom, high-yielding, heat tolerant, bush, snap, green bean. Suitable for growing in containers, garden plots, raised...
Lettuce Seeds - Leaf - Lollo Rosso (Organic)
55-60 days. Lactuca sativa. Organic Lollo Rosso Lettuce seeds grow as cool-season crops and fast-maturing annuals. Lollo Rosso Italian Lettuce can be harvested as a "cut and come back again"...
Squash Seeds - Summer - Crookneck (Organic)
Ready in about 58 days, Organic Summer Crookneck Squash is perfect for the summer garden. Bumpy skin highlights a yellow fleshy squash. When the fruit is 5-6 inches long, it...
Pea Seeds - Shelling - Green Arrow (Organic)
65-75 Days to maturity. Pisum sativum. Organic Green Arrow Pea Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, treated pea seeds. Long, slim, 4.5-inch pods grow in pairs on strong 28-inch vines. Suitable...
Buckwheat - Whole (Organic) - Sprouting Seeds
7-10 Days to Harvest. Fagopyrum esculentum. Organic Buckwheat Whole Sprouting Seeds. Organic. Non-GMO. Sprouting. Excellent Germination Rate. Organic Buckwheat Whole Seeds can be a somewhat challenging grain to sprout but...
Pepper Seeds - Sweet - Sunset Italian Mix (Organic)
70-100 Days to maturity (from transplant). Capsicum annuum. Organic Sunset Italian Pepper Mix Pepper Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, organic, open-pollinated, heirloom, sweet pepper with mild heat levels. 0 to 100 Scoville...
Cucumber Seeds - Marketmore 76 (Organic)
67 days. The Marketmore 76 cucumber is a variety of cucumber that is sweet and tender. The Marketmore 76 is dark green and smooth, and grows to be between eight...
Swiss Chard Seeds - Rainbow Mixture (Organic)
60 days. Organic Rainbow Mixture Swiss Chard seeds. Beta vulgaris var. cicla. Non-GMO. Organic Rainbow mixture swiss chard seed is the perfect variety mix for the home gardener who wants...
Lavender Seeds (Organic)
90+ Days to maturity. Lavandula angustifolia. Organic Lavender Seeds. Non-GMO, perennial, organic, open-pollinated, heirloom. Suitable for growing in fields, containers, garden plots, and raised beds. Organic English Lavender—also called Vera...
Tomato Seeds - Cherry - Yellow Pear (Organic)
78 Days to maturity (from transplant). Solanum lycoperscium. Yellow Pear Tomato Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, heat tolerant, indeterminate, cherry tomato. Suitable for growing in garden plots, raised beds, and...
Radish - China Rose (Organic) - Sprouting Seeds
5-6 Days to Harvest. Raphanus sativus. Organic China Rose Radish Sprouting Seeds. Organic. Non-GMO. Sprouting. High Germination. Fresh, zesty, and spicy non-GMO Organic China Rose radish sprouts are a colorful...
Cabbage Seeds - Red Acre (Organic)
90-110 days. Organic Red Acre Cabbage Seeds. Brassica oleracea var. capitata. Non-GMO. Heirloom. Nearly a century old and still one of the most reliable performers in the garden, Red Acre...
Okra Seeds - Clemson Spineless (Organic)
(58 days) I'm sure you heard Grandpa or Grandma talk about Clemson Spineless if you live down South. Well, this is an improvement on that same tasty okra. Clemson Spineless,...
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