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]()
Catmint Seeds - Blue Moon
60-80 Days to maturity. Nepeta nervosa. Blue Moon Cat Mint Seeds. Non-GMO, open-pollinated, Premium Quality Seeds, perennial. This heat-tolerant flowering herb is just the versatile plant that your garden needs!...
Hollyhock Seeds - Indian Spring
2nd-year maturity. Alcea rosea. Hollyhock Indian Spring Seeds. Non-GMO, Perennial/Biennial. Indian Spring Mix hollyhock is easy to grow from seed and ideal for gardens with mild winters across North America....
Sunflower Seeds - Maximilian
90-110 Days to maturity. Helianthus maximiliani. Maximilian Sunflower Seeds: Non-GMO. Open Pollinated. Ornamental. Perennial. Heirloom. Maximilian sunflower seeds grow a playful and unique perennial variation on a classic summertime favorite....
Lanceleaf Coreopsis Seeds
100-300 Days to maturity. Coreopsis lanceolata. Lanceleaf Coreopsis Seeds. Non-GMO, Perennial. Lanceleaf Coreopsis flowers are perennial wildflowers with solitary yellow daisy-like flowers blooming on long stalks from May to August....
Onion Seeds - Bunching - White Ishikura (Organic)
60-66 Days to maturity. Allium fistulosum. Organic Bunching White Ishikura Onion Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, perennial, organic, open-pollinated, heirloom, cold hardy, bunching onion. Suitable for growing in greenhouses, garden plots, raised...
Lavender Seeds - Spike
100+ Days to maturity. Lavandula latifolia. Spike Lavender Seeds. Non-GMO, perennial, open-pollinated, heirloom. Suitable for growing in fields, containers, garden plots, and raised beds. Spike Lavender is a sun-loving, aromatic...
Achillea Seeds - Summer Pastels Mix
2nd-year maturity. Achillea millefolium. Summer Pastels Achillea Seeds. Non-GMO, Open-pollinated, Perennial. Achillea Summer Pastels Mix seeds are brilliant, easy to grow, and renowned for their tolerance to thrive where other...
Mint Seeds - Pennyroyal
90 Days to maturity. Mentha pulegium. Pennyroyal Mint Seeds. Non-GMO, annual or perennial, open-pollinated, heirloom. Suitable for growing in containers, garden plots, raised beds, and greenhouses. Pennyroyal Mint is a...
Horehound Seeds
85-90Days to maturity. Marrubium vulgare. Horehound Seeds. Non-GMO, perennial, organic, open-pollinated, heirloom. Horehound is a hardy perennial herb with silvery-green leaves and small white blooms, prized for its intense bittersweet,...
Fennel Seeds - Sweet
90-115 days. Foeniculum vulgare var. azuricum. Sweet Fennel Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, heirloom, open-pollinated. This early strain is suitable for garden plots, raised beds, and containers. Sweet Fennel is a cool-bulbing...
Rudbeckia Seeds - Cherry Brandy
91-105 days maturity. Rudbeckia hirta. Rudbeckia Cherry Brandy Seeds. Non-GMO, Perennial. Ornamental. Cherry Brandy seeds grow one of the summer's most vibrant and exclusive rudbeckias, compact and tidy 18-24 inch...
Cardoon Seeds
60-75 days. Cynara cardunculus. Cardoon Seeds. Non-GMO, perennial, heirloom, open-pollinated. This crop is suitable for garden plots, raised beds, and ornamental borders. Cardoon is a tall, architectural relative of the...
Pampas Grass Seeds
2nd year maturity. Cortaderia selloana. Pampas Grass Seeds. Non-GMO, Perennial. Open Pollinated. Ornamental. Pampas grass is one of the most popular non-flower ornamental plants in the entire world. Seeds mature...
Mugwort Seeds
80 Days. Artemisia vulgaris. Open-pollinated. Non-GMO. Annual. Although known mostly as a tenacious garden weed in the midwestern United States, non-GMO heirloom mugwort seeds have been grown and foraged for...
Asparagus Seeds - UC 157 F1
Second season harvest. Asparagus officinalis. UC 157 F1 Asparagus Seeds. Non-GMO, perennial, F1 hybrid. This crop is suitable for garden plots, raised beds, and fields. Classic UC Riverside hybrid known...
Onion Seeds - Bunching - Tokyo Long White (Organic)
60-90 Days to maturity. Allium fistulosum. Organic Tokyo Long White Onion Seeds. Non-GMO, perennial, organic, open-pollinated, heirloom, cold tolerant, drought tolerant, bunching onion. Suitable for growing in greenhouses, garden plots,...
Onion Seeds - Short - Crystal White Wax
95 Days to maturity. Allium cepa. Crystal White Wax Onion Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, perennial, organic, hybrid, open-pollinated, heirloom, AAS winner, heat tolerant, cold tolerant, drought tolerant, bulbing, bunching, short-day onion....
Myosotis (Forget-Me-Not) Seeds - Sylvatica
2nd Year Maturity. Forget-Me-Not sylvatica seeds promise an authentic and biennial touch of the United Kingdom in your garden. Myosotis sylvatica seeds grow herbaceous 9-12" tall dwarfed branching shrubs bursting...
Penstemon Seeds - Rocky Mountain
120 Days to maturity. Penstemon strictus. Rocky Mountain Penstemon Seeds. Non-GMO, open-pollinated, Premium Quality Seeds, perennial. Rocky Mountain penstemon is easy to grow from seed and ideal for gardens prone...
Iceland Poppy Seeds - Champagne Bubbles Mix
91-98 Days to maturity. Papaver nudicaule. Champagne Bubbles Iceland Poppy Seeds. Non-GMO, F1 Hybrid, perennial. Champagne Bubbles Mix poppy seeds grow cold-hardy perennials that thrive in many cool, temperate gardens....
Grass Mix - Cabin Grass Seed
Cabin Grass Seed Mix - AKA: Green Space Holder, Dryland Turf Mix, Erosion Turf Mix. This Cabin Grass Seed Mix is a blend of two low growing, very deep rooted...
Columbine Seeds - Dragonfly Mix
2nd-year maturity. Aquilegia caerulea. Columbine Dragonfly Mix Seeds. Non-GMO, Perennial. Ornamental. Dragonfly Mix seeds deliver a wonderfully unique and vibrant alternative to the traditional columbine. Dragonfly Mix seeds grow brilliant...
Iceland Poppy Seeds - Iceland Finest Mix
91-98 Days to maturity. Papaver nudicaule. Iceland Finest Mix Iceland Poppy Seeds. Non-GMO, organic, Perennial. Iceland poppy seeds grow year-round brilliance in your home or garden when others can not....
Russian Sage Perovskia Seeds - Blue Steel
2nd Year Maturity. Non-GMO, Heirloom Blue Steel Russian Sage Perovskia Herb Garden Seed from True Leaf Market. Perovskia atriplicifolia. Blue Steel Russian Sage is known for its ornamental benefits as...
Kniphofia Seeds - Flamenco
112-126 Days to maturity. Kniphofia uvaria. Flamenco Kniphofia Seeds. Non-GMO, organic, Perennial. Flamenco kniphofia seeds promise exotic, unmistakable, and award-winning blooms native to the cool ocean regions of South Africa's...
Agastache Seeds - Korean Mint
55-65 days to maturity. Agastache rugosa. Korean Mint Agastache Seeds. Non-GMO, Heirloom, Perennial in Zones 4-9. Korean Mint is a drought-tolerant aromatic herb in the mint family that is native...
Wildflower Seed Shaker - Hummingbird & Butterfly
This lavish selection of 23 annual and perennial wildflower seeds attracts hummingbirds, butterflies, honeybees, bumblebees, ladybugs, and other beneficial pollinators while providing seasons of enjoyment. Lovingly packaged in a hand-illustrated,...
Asparagus Crowns - Spring - Mary Washington
This is a pre-order item and is expected to ship in February to March for spring planting. Other seeds, supplies, or kits ordered with this product may ship separately. This...
Veronica Seeds - Blue Bouquet
98-112 days to maturity. Veronica spicata. Veronica Blue Bouquet Seeds. Non-GMO, Perennial. Ornamental. Blue Bouquet veronica seeds are a perennial favorite and timeless addition to your summer garden, with hardy...
Salvia Seeds - Blue Queen
2nd year maturity. Salvia nemorosa. Salvia Blue Queen Seeds. Non-GMO, Perennial. Ornamental. Blue Queen salvia seeds are elegant, vibrant, and hardy. They will grow where other salvia plants would decline....
Sweet Pea Seeds - Everlasting
2nd Year Maturity. Lathyrus latifolius. Sweet Pea Everlasting Seeds. Non-GMO, Perennial, open-pollinated. Everlasting sweet pea seeds are a timeless and brilliant addition to any home or garden year round. Sweet...
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