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]()
Spinach Seeds - Giant Noble
Non-GMO. Heirloom. Giant Noble Spinach Vegetable Garden Seed. Spinacia oleracea. The smooth and rich-green leaves of these spinach plants help provide this heirloom's name" as Giant Noble Spinach leaves grow...
Beet Seeds - Detroit Dark Red
55 days. Detroit Dark Red beet seeds. Beta vulgaris. Annual. Non-GMO. Since the turn of the century, Detroit Dark Red has been the preferred choice for homegrown classic American beets....
Cilantro Seeds - Slow Bolt (Organic)
Non-GMO, Heirloom Organic Slow Bolt Cilantro Herb Garden Seed from True Leaf Market. Coriandrum sativum. Cilantro is native to regions in North Africa and West Asia. As a cool-season ancient...
Broccoli Seeds - Waltham 29
85-90 days. Waltham 29 Broccoli Seeds. Brassica oleracea var. italica. Annual. Non-GMO. Developed at the University of Massachusetts Amherst's historic research farm, Waltham Field Station, heirloom Waltham 29 broccoli garden...
Pea Seeds - Snap - Sugar Snap
60-70 Days to maturity. Pisum sativum. Sugar Snap Pea seeds. Non-GMO, open-pollinated, 1979 AAS winner. Suitable for growing in fields, containers, garden plots, raised beds, and greenhouses. Resistant to powdery...
Cabbage Seeds - Golden Acre
65 days. The Golden Acre cabbage is a crop that can be grown in climate zones three through twelve, and is resistant to yellowing diseases. This hardy plant produces heads...
Broccoli Seeds - Waltham 29 (Organic)
85-90 days. Organic Waltham 29 Broccoli Seeds. Brassica oleracea var. italica. Annual. Non-GMO. Developed at the University of Massachusetts Amherst's historic research farm, Waltham Field Station, Organic Waltham 29 broccoli...
Peppermint Seeds
90 Days. Peppermint Culinary Herb Seeds. Mentha sp. Non-GMO. A deliciously versatile and bright herb, peppermint seeds are a naturally occurring hybrid between culinary spearmint and watermint. Grown very similar...
Spinach Seeds - Bloomsdale Long Standing (Organic)
35-50 days. Organic Bloomsdale Long Standing Spinach Seeds. Spinacia oleracea. Non-GMO. Heirloom. Organic Bloomsdale Long Standing Spinach provides bright flavor with tender leaves, as this annual is a popular variety...
Onion Seeds - Bunching - Tokyo Long White
60-90 Days to maturity. Allium fistulosum. Tokyo Long White Onion Seeds. Non-GMO, perennial, open-pollinated, heirloom, cold tolerant, drought tolerant, bunching onion. Suitable for growing in greenhouses, garden plots, raised beds,...
Cilantro Seeds - Slow Bolt
Non-GMO, Heirloom Slow Bolt Cilantro Herb Garden Seed from True Leaf Market. Coriandrum sativum. Cilantro is native to regions in North Africa and West Asia. As a cool-season herb dating...
Asparagus Seeds - Mary Washington
2-3 years. Asparagus Gardening Seeds. Asparagus officinalis. Perennial. Non-GMO. Open Pollinated. Mary Washington Asparagus seeds can be grown into a hardy vegetable and are fairly easy to grow as a...
Lettuce Seeds - Romaine - Parris Island Cos
65-70 days. The Parris Island Cos lettuce is a Romaine lettuce, which means it is among the most nutritious of lettuce varieties. These non-GMO seeds grow upright into tall heads...
Turnip Seeds - Purple Top White Globe
50-60 days. Purple Top White Globe Turnip Seeds. Brassica rapa subsp. rapa. Non-GMO. Open Pollinated. Purple Top White Globe Turnip seeds grow into cool season root vegetables that are hardy...
Arugula Seeds - Slow Bolt (Organic)
40-45 days. Organic Slow Bolt Arugula herb Seeds. Eruca vesicaria sativa. Non-GMO. Organic Slow Bolt arugula seeds are one of the fastest growing crops for home gardeners and, since they...
Celery Seeds - Utah 52-70
100 days. Utah 52-70 Celery Seeds. Apium graveolens var. dulce. Non-GMO. Heirloom. The Utah 52-70 is a variety of celery seed that is ideal for short seasons, as it can...
Cauliflower Seeds - Snowball Y Improved
70-80 days to maturity. Brassica oleracea var. botrytis. Snowball Y Improved Cauliflower Seeds. Non-GMO, heirloom, open-pollinated, annual. This is suitable for growing in garden plots, raised beds, containers, and fields....
Lettuce Seeds - Butterhead - Buttercrunch (Organic)
AAS Winner. 65 days. Recommended by Utah State University, Organic Buttercrunch is the most popular of the butterhead varieties. Approx. 16,000 seeds/oz. These non-GMO Buttercrunch seeds grow into vibrant, green...
Beet Seeds - Detroit Dark Red (Organic)
55 days. Organic Detroit Dark Red beet seeds. Beta vulgaris. Non-GMO. Organic. Since the turn of the century, Organic Detroit Dark Red has been the preferred choice for homegrown classic...
Onion Seeds - Bunching - Evergreen White Nebuka (Organic)
65-120 Days to maturity. Allium fistulosum. Organic Evergreen White Nebuka Onion Seeds. Non-GMO, perennial, organic, open-pollinated, heirloom, cold tolerant, bunching onion. Suitable for growing in greenhouses, garden plots, raised beds,...
Leek Seeds - Large American Flag
90-130 days. Large American Flag Leek Seeds. Allium ampeloprasum. Non-GMO. Open Pollinated. Large American Flag seeds produce leeks with large stems and leaves. This hardy crop can tolerate cold climates...
Dill Seeds - Bouquet (Organic)
Non-GMO, Heirloom Organic Bouquet Dill Herb Garden Seed from True Leaf Market. Anethum graveolens. Organic Bouquet Dill grows fast-maturing cool-season annuals and is native to West Asia and regions in...
Radish Seeds - Cherry Belle
21-28 days. Cherry Belle Radish Seeds. Raphanus sativus. Non-GMO. Heirloom. Visually stunning, uniform, and quick to maturity in about 25 days, Cherry Belle radish is one of the most reliable...
Onion Seeds - Long - Utah Yellow Sweet Spanish
110-115 Days to maturity. Allium cepa. Utah Yellow Sweet Spanish Onion Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, cold tolerant, bulbing, long-day onion. Suitable for growing in greenhouses, garden plots, raised beds,...
Parsley Seeds - Dark Green Italian Flat-leaf
Petroselinum crispum Annual. 72 days. Non-GMO, Heirloom Dark Green Italian Flat Leaf Parsley Herb Garden Seed from True Leaf Market. Petroselinum crispum. Italian Parsley plants are hardy biennials often grown...
Brussels Sprouts Seeds - Long Island Improved
90-100 days. Long Island Improved Brussels sprouts seeds. Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera. Non-GMO. Brussels Sprouts can be grown in colder climates, and the crop is very tolerant of frost. While...
Chives Seeds - Garlic
85-90 Days to maturity. Allium tuberosum. Non-GMO, heirloom Garlic Chives Herb Garden Seed. Chives are native to regions in Asia and Europe. Garlic chive cultivars are also called "Chinese Chives"...
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