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...
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...
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...
Spinach Seeds - Bloomsdale Long Standing
35-50 days. Bloomsdale Long Standing Spinach Seeds. Spinacia oleracea. Non-GMO. Open Pollinated. Bloomsdale Spinach seeds came from Philadelphia in the late 19th century by D. Landreth & Sons Seed Company....
Arugula Seeds - Slow Bolt
40-45 days. Eruca vesicaria sativa. Non-GMO. Herb. Annual. Non-GMO Slow Bolt arugula seeds are one of the fastest-growing crops available to home gardeners and, since they are slower to bolt,...
Corn Salad (Mache) Seeds - Dutch Broad Leaved
50 days. Forms rosettes of smooth, spoon-shaped leaves coveted by fine chefs. Prized as early spring green. Fairly hardy this green can be mulched with straw to overwinter in cold...
Spinach Seeds - Viroflay
Non-GMO, Heirloom Viroflay Spinach Vegetable Garden Seed from True Leaf Market. Spinacia oleracea. Viroflay Spinach Seeds originate from France around the 17th century and have been cultivated in Paris. The...
Mustard Seeds - Osaka Purple
21 to 45 days. An outstanding mustard of dark green-purple leaves with bright white veins. Harvest at 4 to 6 inches for salad or allow it to grow to full...
Turnip Seeds - Seven Top
45-65 days. Brassica rapa. Seven Top Turnip seeds grow into cool season root vegetables that are biennials, fast growing and referred to as "turnip greens." These heirloom seeds come from...
Mustard Seeds - Mizuna Red Streaks
45 days. 20 days for baby leaf. With a mild peppery mustard flavor, this green is great for salads as a baby green or a full-size green. The stalk has...
Japanese Mugwort - Yomogi
45 Days to maturity. Artemisia princeps. Yomogi Japanese Mugwort Seeds. Non-GMO perennial heirloom. Yomogi, or Japanese Mugwort, is an easy-to-grow perennial herb that grows in almost any condition. It is...
Radish Seeds - Crimson Giant
Raphanus sativus (29 to 40 days) Sometimes called Crimson "Giant Globe Radish" or "Giant Butter Radish". Crimson Giant Radish seeds grow large 1 1/2 - 2" globe shaped crimson red...
Mustard Seeds - Red Garnet
40 Days to maturity. Brassica juncea. Red Garnet Mustard Seeds. Non-GMO, Annual. Red Garnet Mustard is much like its related Japanese Red Giant and Japanese Giant Garnet cousins displaying a...
Broccoli Raab Seeds - Sorrento
40 to 50 Days until mautre. Brassica papa afar ruvo. Sorrento Broccoli Raab Seeds. Annual. Heirloom. Non-GMO. Open-pollinated. “Rapini,” is a separate moniker for the flowering Brassica. This is a...
Mixed Greens Seeds - Braising Mix
45-60 Days to maturity. 25-30 Days to baby leaf harvest. Mixed Greens Braising Mix Vegetable Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, mixed greens. The Mixed Greens Braising Mix is a blend of...
Radish Seeds - Red Daikon (Ostergruss Rosa)
30-45 days. Non-GMO, Heirloom. Red Daikon Radish Seeds (Ostergruss Rosa). Raphanus sativus. A tapered red radish measuring from 5 to 8 inches long. Bright white to pale rose, crisp flesh....
Radish Seeds - Fire Candle
Fire Candle Radish Seeds. 30-40 Days to maturity. Annual, open-pollinated, and non-GMO seeds. Raphanus sativus. Looking more similar to a red carrot than spring radish, the Fire Radish candle is...
Radish Seeds - Chinese - Shunkyo
30 to 40 Days to maturity. Raphanus sativus. Shunkyo Chinese Radish Heirloom Seeds. Cool Season Annual. Shunkyo radishes are a hidden gem that originates from Northern China. These radishes grow...
Radish Seeds - Mino Early
Radish Seeds - Mino Early. Heirloom, Non-GMO. Raphanus sativus. 40-50 days. Cool season annual. Mino Early is a leading open pollinated radish (daikon) for summer to fall harvest in Japan....
Radish Seeds - Red Arrow
40 Days to maturity. Raphanus sativus. Red Arrow Radish Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, winter radish. While this variety was developed for its bright red stems at the microgreen stage,...
Paperwhites Bulbs - 15/16 - Ziva
10 Bulb Bag This is a pre-order item that is expected to ship in Late October to November for fall planting in warm climates, or as houseplants indoors. Other seeds,...
Orach Seeds - Purple
Non-GMO, Heirloom Purple Orach Vegetable Garden Seed from True Leaf Market. Atriplex hortensis. Purple Orach Seeds originated in Europe and Siberia as one of the oldest grown cool season crops"...
Bean Seeds - Bush - French Garden Yellow Fillet
45-55 Days to maturity. Phaseolus vulgaris. French Garden Yellow Fillet Bean Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, bush, snap, wax bean. Suitable for growing in containers, garden plots, raised beds, and...
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