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]()
Carrot Seeds - Tendersweet
70-75 days. Tendersweet carrot Seeds. Daucus carota subsp. sativus. Non-GMO. Heirloom. Aptly named Tendersweet for its tender 9-10" roots and its unmatched sugar content, next to sugar beet, Tendersweet carrot...
Carrot Seeds - Danvers 126
65-70 days. Danvers 126 Carrot Seeds. Daucus carota subsp. sativus. Non-GMO. Heirloom. Danvers carrot seeds is a hardy 19th century American garden heirloom grown for its rugged tolerance to heavy,...
Geranium Seeds - Maverick Series
91-105 days maturity. Pelargonium x hortorum . Geranium Maverick Series Seeds. Non-GMO, Annual. Ornamental. Maverick Series geranium seeds are an adorable, compact, and vibrant addition to grow in any home...
Cantaloupe - Microgreens Seeds
8 to 10 days. Cantaloupe melon microgreens are a surprisingly easy and delicious microgreen to grow. Cantaloupe melon microgreens grow uniformly in soil. The flavor of these melon microgreens will...
Carrot Seeds - Parisian
60 days. Parisian Carrot Seeds. Daucus carota subsp. sativus. Non-GMO. Heirloom. The Parisian Carrot is unique in both its shape and ability to grow in difficult soils. This carrot variety...
Calendula Seeds - Pacific Beauty Mixture
98-105 Days to maturity. Calendula officinalis. Pacific Beauty Mixture Calendula Seeds. Non-GMO, Open-pollinated. Annual. Pacific Beauty Mix calendula seeds are a tidy and vibrant addition to grow in any home...
Begonia Seeds - Tuberous - Nonstop Series (Pelleted)
119-133 Days to maturity. Begonia x tuberhybrida. Nonstop Series Tuberous Begonia Seeds. Non-GMO, hybrid, perennial, pelleted. Nonstop Series pelleted seeds promise exotic, easygoing 2-3-inch, mostly double blooms for hot, humid...
Carrot Seeds - Scarlet Nantes
70 days. Scarlet Nantes carrot Seeds. Daucus carota subsp. sativus. Non-GMO. One of the most popular and widespread varieties of carrot ever, Scarlet Nantes has since been the original parent...
Geranium Seeds - Pinto Premium Series
91-105 days maturity. Pelargonium x hortorum . Geranium Pinto Premium Series Seeds. Non-GMO, Annual. Ornamental. Pinto Premium Series geranium seeds promise some of the most classic yet eye-catching blooms available...
Carrot Seeds - Danvers 126 (Organic)
65-70 days. Organic Danvers 126 Carrot Seeds. Daucus carota subsp. sativus. Non-GMO. Heirloom. Danvers carrot seeds is a hardy 19th century American garden heirloom grown for its rugged tolerance to...
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...
Carrot Seeds - Scarlet Nantes (Organic)
70 days. Organic Scarlet Nantes carrot Seeds. Daucus carota subsp. sativus. Non-GMO. One of the most popular and widespread varieties of carrot ever, Organic Scarlet Nantes has since been the...
Carrot Seeds - Tendersweet - Organic
Daucus carota (75 days) Tendersweet has long, 9-10" tapered roots; rich orange color; sweet, and coreless. This heirloom carrot is a reliable producer that has been pleasing folks for generations....
Carrot Seeds - Little Fingers
55 days. The Little Fingers carrot seeds produce adorable mini carrots with a beautiful orange color, packed with flavor! These smaller roots are cylindrical and grow up to 4 inches...
Pepper Seeds - Sweet - Horizon Orange
75 Days to maturity (from transplant). Capsicum annuum. Horizon Orange Pepper Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, sweet-type, with no heat levels. 0 Scoville Heat Units. Suitable for growing in garden...
Pepper Seeds - Sweet - Sunset Italian Mix (Organic)
70-100 Days to maturity (from transplant). Capsicum annuum. Organic Sunset Italian Pepper Mix Pepper Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, organic, open-pollinated, heirloom, sweet pepper with mild heat levels. 0 to 100 Scoville...
Carrot Seeds - Imperator 58
65-80 days. The Imperator 58 carrot is a colorful and crunchy addition to any home garden. Seeds produce nine inch long tapered roots with a bright orange color. Their tops...
Statice Seeds - QIS Series
91-105 Days to maturity. Limonium sinuatum. Statice QIS Series Seeds. Non-GMO, Annual. QIS Series statice is easy to grow from seed and a favorite for fresh-cut arrangements, baskets, and bouquets....
French Marigold Seeds - Durango Series (Coated)
56-63 Days to maturity. Tagetes patula. Durango Series French Marigold Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated. Durango Series French marigold seeds are an adorable, compact, and vibrant addition to grow in any...
Pepper Seeds - Hot - Habanero Orange
100-109 Days to maturity (from transplant). Capsicum chinense. Habanero Orange Pepper Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, deer resistant, heat tolerant, drought tolerant, hot pepper with extra hot heat levels. 100,000...
Wildflower Seeds - Bee Mix
50-365 Days to maturity. Bee Friendly Wildflower Seeds Mix. A non-GMO mix of annuals and perennial bee-friendly wildflowers for zones 3-9. The Bee Friendly Wildflower Mix grows some of the...
Impatiens Seeds - Accent Series
70-77 Days to maturity. Impatiens walleriana. Accent Series Impatiens Seeds. Non-GMO, hybrid, annual. Premium Quality Seeds. Accent Series seeds deliver the country's most popularly grown and undisputed summertime bloom. Impatiens...
Dahlia Seeds - Figaro Series (Coated)
84-91 Days to maturity. Dahlia pinnata. Dahlia Figaro Series Seeds. Premium, Non-GMO, Annual or Perennial. Figaro Series dahlias are a simple way to grow classic southwestern color in your home,...
French Marigold Seeds - Petite Mixture
56-63 Days to maturity. Tagetes patula. Petite Mixture French Marigold Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated. Petite Mixture French marigold seeds are an adorable, compact, and vibrant addition to grow in any...
Nasturtium Seeds - Alaska
54-63 Days to maturity. Tropaeolum majus. Nasturtium Alaska Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, heirloom. Alaska nasturtium is brilliant, easy to grow from seed, and perfectly suited for many dry and temperate climates....
Gazania Seeds - New Day Series
84-91 Days to maturity. Gazania splendens. Gazania New Day Series Seeds. Non-GMO, Annual. New Day Series gazania seeds grow some of the most recognizable summertime blooms both indoors and out!...
Zinnia Seeds - Zahara Series (Coated)
50-60 Days to maturity. Zinnia elegans. Zahara Series Zinnia Seeds. Non-GMO, annual. Zahara Series Zinnia flower seeds are brilliant, easy to grow, and renowned for their hardiness and ability to...
French Marigold Seeds - Sparky Mixture
63-77 Days to maturity. Tagetes patula. Sparky Mixture Marigold Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated. Sparky Mixture French marigold seeds offer one of the most vibrant and inexpensive blooms available to the...
African Marigold Seeds - Cracker Jack
77-84 Days to maturity. Tagetes erecta. Cracker Jack African Marigold Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated. Crackerjack seeds grow a vibrant golden orange and yellow mix of the famous African Marigold that...
Sunflower Seeds - Autumn Beauty Mix
90-100 Days to maturity. Helianthus annuus. Autumn Beauty Mix Sunflower Seeds: Non-GMO. Open Pollinated. Ornamental. Annual. Heirloom. Autumn Beauty Mix seeds grow one of the summer's most explosive and familiar...
Parsnip - Hollow Crown
Non-GMO, Open-Pollinated, Heirloom Hollow Crown Parsnip Seeds from True Leaf Market. 100 to 120 days. Good storage variety with a sweet taste that grows up to 15" long. Originating in...
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