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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Salpiglossis Seeds - Royale Series
91-98 Days to maturity. Salpiglossis sinuata. Salpiglossis Royale Series Seeds. Non-GMO, Annual. Royale Series salpiglossis seeds grow one of the summer's most exotic, colorful, and exclusive blooms. Royale Series seeds...
Gypsophila Seeds - Gypsy Deep Rose
56-63 Days to maturity. Gypsophila muralis’. Gypsophila Gypsy Deep Rose Seeds. Non-GMO, Annual. Gypsy Deep Rose Gypsophila seeds are an essential and award-winning crop whether kept in the garden or...
Dusty Miller Seeds - Cirrus (Pelleted)
84-91 Days to maturity. Senecio cineraria. Dusty Miller Cirrus Seeds. Non-GMO, Open Pollinated, Pelleted, Annual. Cirrus Dusty Miller seeds grow a vigorous Mediterranean favorite ideal for many moderate to dry...
Carnation Seeds - CanCan Scarlet (Treated)
154-175 days to maturity. Dianthus caryophyllus. Carnation CanCan Scarlet Seeds. Non-GMO, annual or biennial, hybrid flower. CanCan Scarlet carnation seeds promise to turn any tired and stale bedding into a...
Chrysanthemum Greens Seeds - Garland Serrated Leaf
40-50 Days to maturity. Glebionis coronaria var. garland serrated leaf. Garland Serrated Leaf Chrysanthemum Greens Seeds. Cool-season annual heirloom. Non-GMO. Garland Serrated Leaf is a highly valued Japanese vegetable with...
Borage Seeds (Organic) - Microgreens Seeds
10-20 Days to maturity. Borago officinalis. Organic Borage Microgreen Seeds. Non-GMO, organic, open-pollinated, heirloom, annual herb and microgreens seeds. These underutilized microgreens are striking with their vibrant green leaves and...
Hollyhock Seeds - Queeny Purple
2nd-year maturity. Alcea rosea. Hollyhock Queeny Purple Seeds. Non-GMO, Perennial/Biennial. Queeny Purple seeds are an exciting and award-winning twist to the traditional summertime hollyhock that promises to excite your porch,...
Alyssum Seeds - White - Organic
50 Days to maturity. Lobularia maritima. Organic White Alyssum Seeds. Non-GMO, Open-Pollinated, Heirloom, Annual. Alyssum is a drought-tolerant annual. It is naturalized in the United States and can also be...
Alyssum Seeds - Snow Crystals (Pelleted)
63-77 Days to maturity. Lobularia maritima. Snow Crystals Alyssum. Non-GMO, Open-Pollinated, Annual. Snow Crystals flower seeds easily grow eye-catching and fragrant Alyssum mounds bursting in vivid shades of alpine white....
Gaillardia Seeds - Mesa Yellow
84-91 Days to maturity. Gaillardia x grandiflora. Gaillardia Mesa Yellow Seeds. Non-GMO, Perennial. Mesa Yellow seeds grow one of the summer's brightest and most celebrated blooms, vigorous gaillardias with eye-catching...
Sunflower Seeds - Goldie (Organic)
75 Days to maturity. Helianthus annuus. Goldie Organic F1 Hybrid Sunflower Seeds: Non-GMO. Organic. Ornamental. Annual. Goldie is feathery and unique hybrid sunflower that looks like pompoms of sunshine! If...
Celosia Seeds - Plumed - Forest Fire
85-95 Days to maturity. Celosia plumosa. Forest Fire Celosia Flower Seeds. Non-GMO, Annual. These classic Celosias are high performers throughout the summer with their densely packed and vibrantly colored spires....
China Aster Seeds - Single Rainbow Mix
90-120 Days to maturity. Callistephus chinensis. Single Rainbow Mix China Aster Seeds. Non-GMO,ornamental, annual, heirloom, cut flower. Single Rainbow Mix China Aster flower garden seeds grow cut-flower-worthy, spring, summer, and...
Sweet Pea Seeds - High Scent
75-85 Days to Maturity. Lathyrus odoratus. Sweet Pea High Scent Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated flower seeds. High Scent sweet peas are a timeless and brilliant addition to any home or...
Brachycome Seeds - Splendor Mix
70-84 Days to maturity. Brachyscome iberidifolia. Splendor Mix Brachycome Seeds. Non-GMO, Ornamental, Perennial. Splendor Mix Brachycome seeds promise an authentic touch of western Australia and New Zealand in your home...
Sunflower Seeds - Evening Sun
75 Days to maturity. Helianthus annuus. Evening Sun Sunflower Seeds: Non-GMO. Open Pollinated. Ornamental. Annual. Evening Sun is a beautiful bi-color sunflower with shades of burgundy, bronze, and yellow. These...
Coreopsis Seeds - Early Sunrise
2nd-year maturity. Coreopsis grandiflora. Early Sunrise Coreopsis Seeds. Non-GMO, Perennial. Early Sunrise coreopsis seeds are an adorable, compact, and award-winning addition for highlighting in any home, garden, or patio. Early...
Alternanthera - Purple Knight
70-77 Days to maturity. Alternanthera dentata. Alternanthera Purple Knight Seeds. Non-GMO, Annual or Perennial. Purple Knight Alternanthera seeds promise an exotic and neat ornamental foliage ideal for many humid gardens...
Sunflower Seeds - Classic Gold
55-70 Days to maturity. Helianthus annuus. Classic Gold F1 Hybrid Sunflower Seeds: Non-GMO. Ornamental. Annual. The traditional sunflower that everyone knows, Sunflower Classic Gold is flawless as a cut flower...
Corn Poppy Special Collection - American Legion
Internationally recognized as the symbolic flower for fallen soldiers, the American Legion corn poppy is one of the most cherished and vibrant blooms in the world. Packaged in a patriotic...
Coreopsis Seeds - Sunfire
2nd-year maturity. Coreopsis grandiflora. Sunfire Coreopsis Seeds. Non-GMO, Perennial. Sunfire coreopsis seeds grow a neat yet spectacular twist on traditional seasonal favorites. Sunfire seeds mature as neat coreopsis shrubs overgrown...
Penstemon Seeds - Palmers
120 Days to maturity. Penstemon palmeri. Palmer's Penstemon Seeds. Non-GMO, open-pollinated, Premium Quality Seeds, perennial. Growing Palmer's penstemon seeds this season is an effortless and vibrant way to splash some...
Nicotiana Seeds (Ornamental Tobacco) - Sylvestris
70-75 Days to maturity from transplant. Nicotiana sylvestris. Variety Type Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, perennial, organic, open-pollinated, heirloom. Suitable for growing in containers, garden plots, raised beds, and greenhouses. Sylvestris Nicotiana...
Cotton Seeds - Arkansas Green Lint
130-140 Days to maturity. Gossypium hirsutum. Arkansas Green Lint Cotton Seeds. Non-GMO, open-pollinated, heirloom cotton seeds. Annual in zones 8-11. It may be grown in zones 6-7 if started indoors...
Wildflower Seeds - Deer Resistant Mix
365 Days to maturity. Deer Resistant Wildflower Seeds Mix. Non-GMO mix of annuals and perennials for zones 4-9. The Deer Resistant wildflower seed mix is a careful selection of 12...
Zinnia Seeds - Red Beauty - Organic
60-70 Days to maturity. Zinnia elegans. Red Beauty Zinnia Seeds. Non-GMO, organic, annual. These zinnias are a perfect choice for any grower or hobby gardener looking for the best cut...
Nasturtium Seeds - Empress of India (Organic)
65-75 Days to maturity. Tropaeolum majus ’Empress of India’. Organic Nasturtium Empress of India Seeds. Non-GMO, perennial, heirloom. This variety of Nasturtium seed has enriched garden spaces for centuries. Attractive...
Sunflower Seeds - Zohar (Organic)
50-60 Days to maturity. Helianthus annuus. Zohar F1 Hybrid Sunflower Seeds: Non-GMO. Organic. Open Pollinated. Ornamental. Annual. Zohar F1 Hybrid is a beautiful pollen-less sunflower that will brighten up your...
Zinnia Seeds - Crystal Series
50 " 55 days. Annual. Zinnia angustifolia. Crystal Series Zinnia flower seeds promise a simple, yet award-winning addition to your home or garden. Crystal Series Zinnia seeds grow a compact...
Columbine Seeds - Double Mixed
240-300 Days to maturity. Aquilegia vulgaris. Columbine Double Mixed Seeds. Non-GMO, Perennial, open-pollinated, fall or spring-planted ornamental flower. Heirloom. Double Mixed Columbine seeds grow a spectacular garden favorite perennial that...
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