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]()
Carrot Seeds - Chantenay Red Core
65-70 days. Red Core Chantenay carrot Seeds. Daucus carota subsp. sativus. Non-GMO. Heirloom. The Chantenay Red Core carrot seeds produce blunt roots that can grow up to six inches long....
Beet Seeds - Chioggia (Organic)
55 Days. Beta vulgaris. Organic. Open-pollinated. Pronounced "key-oh-jah" after the small Venetian villa town, non-GMO Chioggia beet seeds are a classic Italian garden heirloom grown and sold throughout the Mediterranean...
Pepper - Hot - Cayenne Thick
65-85 Days to maturity (from transplant). Capsicum annuum. Cayenne Thick Pepper Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, heat-tolerant, hot pepper with hot heat levels. 30,000-50,000 Scoville Heat Units. Suitable for growing...
Clover Seeds - Medium Red
Medium Red Clover Seeds. 60-69 days to maturity. trifolium pratense. Open Pollinated, Non-GMO, Annual. Medium red clover is a short-lived perennial used to supply nitrogen. Unlike other legumes, it fixes...
Petunia Seeds - Wave Series (pelleted)
98-105 Days to maturity. Petunia x hybrida. Wave Series Petunia Seeds. Non-GMO, hybrid, Premium Quality Seeds, annual. Growing Wave Series seeds this season promises to reinvigorate any stale flower bed,...
Zinnia Seeds - Magellan Series (Coated)
55-60 Days to maturity. Zinnia elegans. Magellan Series Zinnia Seeds. Non-GMO, organic, F1 hybrid, annual. Magellan Zinnia Series seeds produce tough, resilient zinnias, best suited for gardens prone to heat...
Snapdragon Seeds - Rocket Series
115-121 Days to maturity. Antirrhinum majus. Rocket Series Snapdragon Seeds. Non-GMO, Premium Quality Seeds, hybrid, annual. Rocket Series snapdragon seeds promise vibrant, dense, and award-winning blooms ideal for the garden,...
Smart Seal 5 Gallon Bucket Lids - Singles
The Handy Pantry Smart Seal Lid transforms most 5 gal bucket designs into the ideal storage container. The screw-on lid is food grade and pest-proof. Literally, hundreds of applications for...
Swiss Chard Seeds - Ruby Red - Organic
55 days. Ruby Red Swiss Chard is a beautiful addition to the garden, and a delicious addition to the kitchen. These plants grow stems up to two feet tall with...
Lettuce Seeds - Romaine - Cimmaron
65 days. This charming heirloom romaine produces a 10 to 12 inch, deep-red head with good flavor and a crisp tender texture. Virtually impervious to bolting. These non-GMO Cimarron seeds...
Petunia Seeds - Hulahoop Series (pelleted)
98-105 Days to maturity. Petunia x hybrida. Pelleted Hulahoop Series Petunia Seeds. Non-GMO, hybrid, Premium Quality Seeds, annual. Pelleted seeds. Hulahoop Series seeds grow a dazzling, fun, and unique variation...
Beet Seed - Bulls Blood
40-52 days. The Bull's Blood beet is a variety of beet that has a higher nutritional value than others. In addition to this, Bull's Blood is often grown as an...
Verbena Seeds - Quartz XP Series
84-91 Days to maturity. Verbena x hybrida. Verbena Quartz XP Series Seeds. Non-GMO, Perennial. Verbena Quartz XP Series seeds are a classic and award-winning addition to any home or garden...
Lentil - Red (Organic) - Sprouting Seeds
2-3 Days to Harvest. Lens culinaris. Organic Red Lentil Sprouting Seeds. Organic. Non-GMO. Sprouting. High Germination. A delicious and classic substitute for any green or French lentil, non-GMO organic red...
Lettuce Seeds - Butterhead - Bronze Mignonette
Non-GMO Bronze Mignonette Butterhead Lettuce is tolerant of warm temperatures making it perfect for southern gardens. Mignonette is known for bronze streaks on medium green leaves and is very beautiful....
Snapdragon Seeds - Floral Showers Series
115-121 Days to maturity. Antirrhinum majus. Floral Showers Series Snapdragon Seeds. Non-GMO, Premium Quality Seeds, hybrid, annual. Floral Showers snapdragon seeds grow fragrant, nostalgic, and vibrant blooms where other flowers...
Beet Seeds - Cylindra
55 days. The Cylindra beet is a variety of beet that originated in Denmark. Their long, cylindrical shape makes them ideal for anyone who wants a larger yield of beets...
Okra Seeds - Red Burgundy
Abelmoschus esculentus (80 days) Developed at Clemson University by Leon Robbins. Wow, magenta stems hold emerald green leaves that are the backdrop for intense purple pods, born from canary yellow...
Rhubarb Seeds - Victoria
Non-GMO Victoria Rhubarb Seeds are a perennial heirloom that you want to include in your garden. An open-pollinated strain, Victoria Rhubarb can be raised from seed. Juicy, large stalks are...
French Marigold Seeds - Disco Series (Coated)
56-63 Days to maturity. Tagetes patula. Disco Series French Marigold Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated. Disco Series French marigold seeds are an adorable, compact, and vibrant addition to grow in any...
Coleus Seeds - Wizard Series (Pelleted)
84-91 Days to maturity. Plectranthus scutellarioides’Wizard Series’. Coleus Wizard Series Seeds. Non-GMO, Annual. Wizard Series coleus seeds are a simple, compact, yet spectacular Asian showstopper perfect for many diverse gardens...
French Marigold Seeds - Bonanza Series (Coated)
56-63 Days to maturity. Tagetes patula. Bonanza Series French Marigold Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated. Bonanza Series French marigold seeds are brilliant, easy to grow, and renowned for their hardiness and...
Pepper Seeds - Sweet - Mini Bell Red
60-69 Days to maturity (from transplant). Capsicum annuum. Mini Bell Red Pepper Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, sweet with no heat level. Suitable for growing in garden plots, raised beds, and...
Beet - Rainbow Blend - Microgreen Seeds
12 to 23 Days to Harvest. Beta vulgaris. Rainbow Blend Beet Microgreen Seeds. Non-GMO, open-pollinated, heirloom. This colorful blend combines multiple beet varieties to produce a tray of microgreens with...
Pepper Seeds - Sweet - Gypsy Hybrid
62 Days to maturity (from transplant). Capsicum annuum. Gypsy Hybrid Pepper Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, hybrid, AAS Winner, sweet-type, with no heat levels. 0 Scoville Heat Units. Suitable for growing in...
Mustard Seeds - Red Giant (Organic)
48 days. Non-GMO, Heirloom Organic Red Giant Mustard Herb Garden Seed from True Leaf Market. Brassica juncea. In general, mustard is an ideal garden plant to grow near herbs. As...
Pepper Seeds - Hot - Fresno Chili
75-80 Days to maturity (from transplant). Capsicum annuum. Fresno Chili Pepper Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, high yielding, deer resistant, heat tolerant, drought tolerant, hot pepper with medium heat levels....
Crimson Clover - Organic - Microgreens Seeds
Crimson clover can be used to grow sprouts or microgreens, and is an ideal cover crop. Certified Organic. Trifolium incarnatum. Non-GMO. Sow in fall or late summer as a cover...
Lettuce Seeds - Heatwave Mix
45-60 days. Non-GMO. Heirloom. Heatwave Lettuce Seed Mix. Lactuca. The Heatwave Lettuce Mix lettuces that thrive in the heat and remain productive. Our choice "slow-bolt" varieties feature Grand Rapids, Prizehead,...
Pepper Seeds - Hot - Poblano Ancho
70-79 Days to maturity (from transplant). Capsicum annuum. Poblano Ancho Pepper Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, deer resistant, heat tolerant, drought tolerant, hot-type pepper with mild heat levels. 1,000 to...
Bean Seeds - Pole - Red Noodle Yard Long
50-75 Days to maturity. Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis. Red Noodle Yard Long Bean Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, heat-tolerant, pole, snap, Asian, specialty bean. Suitable for growing in containers, garden...
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