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]()
Zucchini Seeds - Caserta
Cucurbita pepo (65 days) An early bush cocozelle zucchini that produces huge yields of 16" fruit. Much better eaten at the 6-8" size. Zucchini Seeds - Caserta Light green skin...
Watermelon Seeds - Mini - Cal Sweet Bush AAS
90 Days to maturity. Citrullus lanatus. Cal Sweet Bush AAS Watermelon Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, heat tolerant, seeded, Mini watermelon. Suitable for growing in garden plots and large containers...
Tomato Seeds - Slicing - Patio Hybrid
70 Days to maturity (from transplant). Solanum lycoperscium. Patio Hybrid Tomato Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, hybrid, determinate, drought tolerant, heat tolerant, AAS Winner, slicing tomato. Suitable for growing in garden plots,...
Melon Seeds - Cantaloupe - Honey Rock
80 Days to maturity. Cucumis melo. Honey Rock Cantaloupe Melon Seeds. A non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, AAS winner, heat tolerant, Cantaloupe Melon. Suitable for growing in containers, garden plots, raised...
Pepper Seeds - Hot - Super Chili Hybrid
75 Days to maturity (from transplant). Capsicum annuum. Super Chili Hybrid Pepper Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, F1 hybrid, AAS winner, high yielding, deer resistant, heat tolerant, drought tolerant, hot pepper with...
Canna Seeds - Tropical Series
98-112 Days to maturity. Canna x generalis. Tropical Series Canna Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, hybrid flower. Tropical Series seeds promise exotic, early-blooming, and easy-to-grow canna plants for especially hot, humid gardens...
Echinacea Seeds - PowWow Wild Berry
70-84 days. Non-GMO, Heirloom PowWow Wild Berry Echinacea Herb Garden Seed from True Leaf Market. Echinacea purpurea. Echinacea grows as a warm perennial herb native to North America. These vigorous...
Bean Seeds - Bush - Topcrop
50-65 Days to maturity. Phaseolus vulgaris. Topcrop Bush Bean Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, AAS winner, high-yielding, bush, snap, green bean. Suitable for growing in containers, garden plots, raised beds,...
Pumpkin Seeds - Wee-B-Little
Wee B Little Pumpkin is the perfect miniature pie pumpkin. This orange pumpkin was a AAS Winner for 1999. Wee B Little grows an orange pumpkin that is small enough...
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....
Carrot Seeds - Purple Haze Hybrid
70 days. The Purple Haze carrot produces roots with a beautiful blend of purple and orange that looks almost tie dye-like. Each carrot has a deep purple exterior with a...
Cucumber Seeds - Parisian Gherkin F1 AAS
50 Days to maturity. Cucumis sativus. Parisian Gherkin Hybrid Cucumber Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, F1 hybrid, 2015 Regional AAS winning, monoecious, pickling cucumber. Suitable for growing in fields, containers (with support),...
Basil Seeds - Dark Opal
Non-GMO, Heirloom Dark Opal Basil Herb Seed from True Leaf Market. Ocimum basilicum x purpurascens. As basil has many different varieties, Dark Opal Basil Herb is a striking heirloom that...
Pepper Seeds - Sweet - Giant Marconi Hybrid
72 Days to maturity (from transplant). Capsicum annuum. Giant Marconi Hybrid Pepper Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, F1 hybrid, 2001 AAS winner, sweet pepper with no heat. 0 Scoville Heat Units. Suitable...
Cucumber Seeds - Green Light - Hybrid
35-45 Days to maturity. Cucumis sativus. Green Light F1 Cucumber Seeds. Warm-season annual hybrid. Non-GMO. Green Light is an excellent mini cucumber that is an All-American Selection winner. The plants...
Cucumber Seeds - Saladmore Bush Hybrid F1
55 Days to maturity. Cucumis sativus. Saladmore Bush Hybrid Cucumber Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, F1 hybrid, 2014 AAS winner. Suitable for growing in fields, containers (with support), garden plots, raised beds,...
Lettuce Seeds - Batavian, Great Lakes 118
80 - 90 days. These non-GMO Great Lakes 118 lettuce seeds grow into large green leaves and a white heart. Great Lakes 118 Lettuce, also known as Head Lettuce, is...
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...
Pepper Seeds - Sweet - Pretty N Sweet Hybrid
100-109 Days to maturity (from transplant). Capsicum annuum. Pretty N Sweet Hybrid Pepper Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, F1 hybrid, AAS winner, heat tolerant, drought tolerant, sweet pepper with no heat levels....
Squash Seeds - Summer - Fordhook Zucchini (Organic)
50 to 60 days to maturity. Cucurbita pepo. Organic Fordhook Zucchini Summer Squash Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, heirloom, open-pollinated, organic. This is suitable for fields, garden plots, raised beds, and containers....
Phlox Seeds - 21st Century Mix (coated)
70-85 Days to maturity. Phlox drummondii. Phlox 21st Century Mix Seeds. Non-GMO, Annual. 1st Century Mix phlox seeds are an adorable, compact, and vibrant addition to grow in your garden....
Cucumber Seeds - Marketer
55-65 Days to maturity. Cucumis sativus. Marketer Cucumber Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, 1943 AAS winning, monoecious, slicing cucumber. Suitable for growing in fields, containers (with support), garden plots, raised...
Osteospermum Seeds - Asti Series
84-90 Days to maturity. Osteospermum ecklonis. Osteospermum Asti Series Seeds. Non-GMO, Annual. Asti Series osteospermum seeds promise a stunning and exotic African twist to the more traditional daisies commonly grown...
Petunia Seeds - Pirouette Rose (pelleted)
98-105 Days to maturity. Petunia x hybrida. Pirouette Rose Petunia Seeds. Non-GMO, hybrid, Premium Quality Seeds, annual. Pirouette Rose Petunia seeds are brilliant, easy to grow, and renowned for their...
Squash Seeds - Winter - Gold Nugget
Gold Nugget Winter Squash Seeds. 95 Days to maturity. Non-GMO, heirloom, open pollinated squash seeds. Cucurbita maxima. AKA: Golden Nugget Squash, Oriental Pumpkin. Originally bred as a replacement for sweet...
Snapdragon Seeds - Madame Butterfly Mixture
115-121 Days to maturity. Antirrhinum majus. Madame Butterfly Mixture Snapdragon Seeds. Non-GMO, Premium Quality Seeds, hybrid, annual. Madame Butterfly Mix snapdragon seeds promise to turn any stale summer bedding into...
Basil Seeds - Purple Ruffles
Non-GMO, Heirloom Purple Ruffles Basil Herb Seed from True Leaf Market. Ocimum basilicum x purpurascens. As basil has many different types, Purple Ruffles Basil is a sweet cultivar that grows...
Tomato Seeds - Salad - Jubilee
72-85 Days to maturity (from transplant). Solanum lycopersicum. Jubilee Tomato Seeds. Non-GMO, warm season annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, 1943 AAS winner, indeterminate, salad tomato. Suitable for growing in garden plots, raised...
Pumpkin Seeds - Baby Bear
Non-GMO Baby Bear Pumpkin is an AAS Winner who is ready in 105 days. Pumpkin vines produce bright orange fruits that measure 5 to 6 inches across and weigh 1...
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