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]()
Lettuce Seeds - Leaf - Black Seeded Simpson
These non-GMO Black Seeded Simpson seeds grow into vibrant, green leaves of lettuce that are ready to harvest in just 40 to 49 days. The Black Seeded Simpson lettuce can...
Pak Choi Seeds - White Stem
Up to 33 days. Pak Choi is also known as Bok Choy. The plant produces large, green leaves off a thick, white stem. Leaves have a mild and peppery flavor,...
Barley - Whole (Organic) - Grass Seeds
Barley grass sprouting seed, with the hull on (whole barley). Great germination rate and a great seed for sprouting, growing barleygrass and more. Grows healthy, thick bladed barley grass for...
Peppermint Seeds (Organic)
Perennial herb garden seeds. Certified Organic by Oregon Tilth. Non-GMO, Heirloom Peppermint Herb Garden Seed from True Leaf Market. Mentha sp. Peppermint plants are cool perennial and hybrid mints native...
Pea Seeds - Snow - Oregon Sugar Pod II
65-70 days. Oregon Sugar Pod II Snow Pea Seeds. Pisum sativum. Non-GMO. Heirloom. Oregon Sugar Pod II snow pea is an American heirloom crop specifically bred for the cooler Pacific...
Lettuce Seeds - Butterhead - All Year Round
65-75 days. All Year Round Butterhead Lettuce Seeds. Lactuca sativa. Non-GMO. Annual. An award-winning and absolutely hardy cultivar of butter head, Buttercrunch is tender, delicious, and looks as good in...
Viola Seeds - Sorbet Series
91-98 Days to maturity. Viola cornuta. Sorbet Series Viola Seeds. Non-GMO, open-pollinated, Premium Quality Seeds, perennial. Sorbet Series seeds grow year-round violas in your home or garden when others might...
Pea Seeds - Shelling - Lincoln
60-70 Days to maturity. Pisum sativum. Lincoln Pea Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom. Suitable for growing in fields, containers, garden plots, raised beds, and greenhouses. Resistant to powdery mildew and...
Mustard Seeds - Southern Giant Curled
Non-GMO, Heirloom Southern Giant Curled Mustard Seeds from True Leaf Market. Southern Giant Curled Mustard is a staple in Southern gardens. It has large, bright green fringed and curled leaves...
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....
Cabbage Seeds - Copenhagen Market
65 to 75 days. The Copenhagen Market cabbage was produced in Denmark and brought to America in 1909. It is a hardy plant that can be grown in climate zones...
Kale Seeds - Dwarf Siberian
50-60 days. Dwarf Siberian Kale is a high yielding variety high in nutrients. This crop is leafy and bright green in color. Dwarf Siberian Kale is versatile and can be...
Chamomile Seeds - Roman
Non-GMO, Heirloom Roman Chamomile Herb Garden Seed from True Leaf Market. Chamaemelum Nobile. Roman Chamomile plants originated from North Africa and were later cultivated in Europe"as chamomile has an ancient...
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"...
Kale Seeds - Lacinato (Black Tuscan)
65-80 days. Brassica oleracea var. sabellica. Lacinato Kale Seeds. Also known as Black Tuscan Kale or Dinosaur Kale. This is a popular variety for making soups and kale chips. This...
Achillea Seeds - White Yarrow
2nd Year Maturity. Perennial. Non-GMO, Heirloom White Yarrow Achillea Herb Garden Seed from True Leaf Market. Achillea millefolium. Yarrow is a flowering perennial often used as a medicinal remedy or...
Celery Seeds - Golden Self Blanching
Non-GMO Golden Self-Blanching Celery Seeds from True Leaf Market are a stocky, resistant heirloom celery variety. The open-pollinated, upright celery produces thick, string-free stalks that are crisp and rich. As...
Kohlrabi Seeds - Purple Vienna
Non-GMO, Heirloom Purple Vienna seeds produce kohlrabi with purple bulbs and a light green interior. The flavor is mild, resembling the taste of a turnip. This unusual looking vegetable comes...
Wild Arugula - Herb Seeds
40-45 days. Diplotaxis tenuifolia. Non-GMO. Heirloom. Annual. Non-GMO Wild arugula seeds grow far more tolerant and perennial relative to the common arugula or "garden rocket". Although still bright and peppery,...
Onion Seeds - Intermediate - Candy Hybrid
85 Days to maturity. Allium cepa ‘Candy’. Candy Onion Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, hybrid, bulbing, intermediate-day onion. Suitable for growing in greenhouses, garden plots, and raised beds. Resistant to Pink Root...
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...
Lettuce Seeds - Summer Bibb
Lactuca sativa (43 days) Summer bibb is a fabulous tasting lettuce that is crisp, clean and easy to grow. This lettuce has ornamental light green leaves that are dotted with...
Beet Seeds - Ruby Queen
52 days. The Ruby Queen beet is a variety that does very well in poor soils. It produces uniform, round globes and short tops. The leaves grow to be green...
Beet Seeds - Early Wonder Tall Top
35-60 days. The Early Wonder Tall Top is an easy to grow beet that can be harvested as early as thirty five days after planting, and thrives in colder weather....
Cress Seeds - Watercress
Non-GMO, Heirloom Watercress Herb Garden Seed from True Leaf Market. Nasturtium officinale. Watercress, also known as "Yellowcress" is a hardy perennial native to regions in Asia and Europe. This trailing...
Cilantro Seeds - Leisure Splits
Non-GMO, Heirloom Leisure Splits Cilantro Herb Garden Seed from True Leaf Market. Coriandrum sativum. Cilantro is native to regions in North Africa and West Asia. Leisure Splits Cilantro, also known...
Garbanzo Bean - Organic - Sprouting Seeds
2-5 Days. Cicer arietinum. High Germination. Organic. Sprouting. Widely known as chickpea or chana, non-GMO Organic garbanzo beans are one of the most nutritious and protein-rich sprouting seeds. Ready to...
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...
Brussels Sprouts - Catskill
Brassica oleracea (85-98 days) Introduced to the seed trade in 1941. Catskills produce a richly flavored heirloom brussel sprout that is about 1 1/2"- 2" in diameter. Approx. 8,000 seeds...
Fennel Seeds - Florence
90-115 days. Foeniculum vulgare var. azuricum. Florence Fennel Seeds. Non-GMO, short-lived perennial herb, heirloom, open-pollinated. This crop is suitable for garden plots, raised beds, and containers. Florence fennel is a...
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...
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