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]()
California Poppy Seeds - Formula Mix
50-60 Days to maturity. Eschscholzia californica. Formula Mix California Poppy Seeds. Non-GMO, annual. Formula Mix California poppies are a serious favorite of pollinators like honey bees. These easy-to-grow flowers are...
Carrot Seeds - Autumn King / Flakkee
The Autumn King/Flakkee carrot is a sweet breed that grows up to 2 ½" wide and 12" long with tops that can reach 16" tall. It is tolerant to the...
African Marigold Seeds - Hawaii
85-95 Days to maturity. Tagetes erecta. Hawaii African Marigold Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated. Hawaii African Marigolds offer extra long flower stalks with large, deep orange flowers. These easy-to-grow and low-maintenance...
Sunflower Seeds - Earthwalker
75-85 Days to maturity. Helianthus annuus ’Earthwalker’. Earthwalker Sunflower Seeds: Non-GMO, open-pollinated, ornamental, annual, drought-tolerant, heat-tolerant, multi-branching sunflower. Earthwalker sunflower seeds grow deeply colored and complement any outdoor space. These...
Pepper Seeds - Hot - Cascabella
75-85 Days to maturity (from transplant). Capsicum annuum. Cascabella Pepper Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, hot pepper with medium heat levels. 1,500 to 4,000 Scoville Heat Units. Suitable for growing...
Gourd Seeds - Crown of Thorns Shenot
110-125 days. Non-GMO. Heirloom. Shenot Crown of Thorns Gourd Seeds from True Leaf Market yield small decorative gourds featuring blunt, horn-like protrusions which make the gourd resemble a crown of...
Nasturtium - Whirlybird Mix - Microgreens Seeds
Whirlybird Mix Nasturtium microgreens seeds. Edible Flowers. Whirlybird microgreens have medium green leaves with some of the wavy edges rimmed with maroon. The pretty stems are a mix of green...
Carrot Seeds - Parisian - Organic
(55 days) A great little round carrot that is a nineteenth-century French heirloom. Organic Parisian is an early orange-red carrot that grows almost more like the shape of a large...
Verbena Flower Seeds - Tuscany Peach
8-10 inches high, spreads 16-20 inches. The replacement for Peaches and Cream boasts a naturally compact habit. Well branched and bush plants that fill in quickly. Same pale salmon-peach color...
Zinnia Seeds - California Giants - Organic
Organic California Giants Zinnia Seeds. 50 days to maturity. Can be grown in containers. Ornamental. Zinnia elegans. Heirloom, Non-GMO, Annual. Dating back to 1926, Zinnia California Giant is a mix...
Carrot Seeds - Shin Kuroda 5"
Non-GMO, heirloom Shin Kuroda 5" Carrot Seeds from True Leaf Market are a variant of the Chantenay-type Shin Kuroda carrot developed in Japan. The roots grow to about 5" long...
Tomato Seeds - Cherry - Brad's Atomic Grape
75-80 Days to maturity (from transplant). Solanum lycopersicum. Brad's Atomic Grape Tomato Seeds. Non-GMO, warm season annual, open-pollinated, indeterminate grape tomato. Suitable for growing in garden plots, raised beds, greenhouses,...
Nasturtium Seeds - Jewel Mix (Organic)
55-65 Days to Maturity. Tropaeolum majus. Organic Jewel Mix Nasturtium Flower Seeds. Non-GMO, organic, open-pollinated, heirloom flower. Annual in zones 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11....
Squash Seeds - Winter - Amish Pie
80-120 Days to maturity. Cucurbita maxima. Amish Pie Winter Squash Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, organic, open-pollinated heirloom. This is suitable for growing in fields, containers, garden plots, raised beds, and greenhouses....
Corn Seeds - Popcorn - Rainbow Jewel
120 Days to maturity. Zea mays ’Rainbow Jewel Popcorn’. Rainbow Jewel Popcorn Corn Seeds. Non-GMO, warm weather hybrid annual. Rainbow Jewel Corn is a hybrid cross between a white popcorn...
Zinnia Seeds - Magellan Series - Orange
55-60 Days to maturity. Zinnia elegans. Magellan Orange Zinnia Seeds. Non-GMO, organic, F1 hybrid, annual. Magellan Zinnia Orange seeds grow tough and resilient zinnias, best suited for gardens prone to...
Thunbergia Seeds - Alata Mix
56-63 days maturity. Thunbergia alata. Thunbergia Alata Mix Seeds. Non-GMO, Annual or Perennial. Ornamental. Thunbergia Alata Mix seeds are an essential plant for your garden, home, or patio for nearly...
Pepper Seeds - Hot - Cienfuegos Orange Hybrid
80-89 Days to maturity (from transplant). Capsicum chinense. Cienfuegos Orange Hybrid Pepper Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, F1 hybrid, deer resistant, hot pepper with extremely hot heat levels. 300,000 to 400,000 Scoville...
Pepper Seeds - Sweet - Cayenne Sweetness Hybrid
69-80 Days to maturity (from transplant). Capsicum annuum. Cayenne Sweetness Hybrid Pepper Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, F1 hybrid, sweet pepper with a mild heat level. 0 to 200 Scoville Heat Units....
Pepper Seeds - Hot - Mushroom Red
80-95 Days to maturity (from transplant). Capsicum chinense. Mushroom Red Pepper Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, deer resistant, hot pepper with hot heat levels. 25,000 to 35,000 Scoville Heat Units....
Gaillardia Seeds - Arizona Series
84-91 Days to maturity. Gaillardia aristata. Gaillardia Arizona Series Seeds. Non-GMO, Perennial. Arizona Series seeds promise exciting AAS award-winning sunburst gaillardias that are sure to invigorate any tired garden. Gaillardia...
Eggplant Seeds - Turkish Orange (Organic)
70-90 Days to maturity. Solanum aethiopicum ’Turkish Orange’. Organic Turkish Orange Eggplant Seeds. Non-GMO, cool weather annual. Turkish Orange Eggplants are the next vegetable you need to try this season....
Pepper Seeds - Hot - Cambuchi
80 Days to maturity (from transplant). Capsicum baccatum. Cambuci Pepper Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, hot pepper with medium heat levels. 4000 to 6000 Scoville Heat Units. Suitable for growing...
Pepper Seeds - Hot - NuMex Twilight
80-90 Days to maturity (from transplant). Capsicum annuum. Nu Mex Twilight Pepper Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, deer resistant, hot heat levels. 30,000 to 50,000 Scoville Heat Units. Suitable for...
Pepper Seeds - Hot - Habanero Orange (Organic)
100-109 Days to maturity (from transplant). Capsicum chinense. Habanero Orange Organic Pepper Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, organic, open-pollinated, heirloom, deer resistant, heat tolerant, drought tolerant, hot pepper with extra hot heat...
Hollyhock Seeds - Chaters Double Mixture
2nd-year maturity. Alcea rosea. Hollyhock Chater's Double Mixture Seeds. Non-GMO, Perennial/Biennial. Chater's Double Mixture hollyhock seeds promise to turn any stale bedding into a sensational and eye-catching garden this season....
Calendula Seeds - Fiesta Gitana
60-70 Days to maturity. Calendula officinalis ’Fiesta Gitana’. Fiesta Gitana Calendula Seeds. Non-GMO, open-pollinated, heirloom, annual, also known as pot marigold. This one-of-a-kind dwarf marigold, known as Fiesta Gitana, is...
Calendula Seeds - Orange Pacific Beauty (Organic)
60-90 Days to Maturity. Calendula officinalis. Organic Orange Pacific Beauty Calendula Flower Seeds. Non-GMO, heirloom, open-pollinated, organic flower seeds. Annual in zones 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10....
Sunflower Seeds - Midnight Rouge
55-65 Days to maturity. Helianthus annuus ’Midnight Rouge’. Midnight Rouge Sunflower Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open pollinated, heirloom, ornamental. Midnight Rouge seeds produce some of the most deeply colored and stunning...
Pepper Seeds - Hot - Cayenne Orange
75 Days to maturity (from transplant). Capsicum annuum. Cayenne Orange Hot Pepper Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, deer resistant, drought-tolerant, heat-tolerant, hot pepper with hot heat levels. 30,000 to 50,000 Scoville...
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