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]()
Dill Seeds - Bouquet (Organic)
Non-GMO, Heirloom Organic Bouquet Dill Herb Garden Seed from True Leaf Market. Anethum graveolens. Organic Bouquet Dill grows fast-maturing cool-season annuals and is native to West Asia and regions in...
Dill Seeds - Bouquet
65 Days to maturity. Anethum graveolens. Bouquet Dill Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom. Suitable for growing in fields, containers, garden plots, and raised beds. 3-foot plant with strongly aromatic foliage,...
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...
No-Till Forage Friendly Cover Crop Mix
30-60 Days to termination. No-Till Forage Friendly Cover Crop Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, winter-killing, no-till, and forage-friendly. This mix has been created as a forage-safe option for home gardens, small farms,...
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....
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...
Zinnia Seeds - Profusion Series (Coated)
54-70 Days to maturity. Zinnia elegans x angustifolia. Profusion Series Zinnia Seeds. Non-GMO, organic, annual. Profusion Series Zinnia flower seeds promise to turn your tired summer bedding into an award-winning...
Zinnia Seeds - Magellan Series (Coated)
55-60 Days to maturity. Zinnia elegans. Magellan Series Zinnia Seeds. Non-GMO, organic, F1 hybrid, annual. Magellan Zinnia Series seeds produce tough, resilient zinnias, best suited for gardens prone to heat...
Alyssum Seeds - Wonderland Series
63-77 Days to maturity. Lobularia maritima. Wonderland Series Alyssum Seeds. Non-GMO, Open-Pollinated, Annual. Wonderland Series Alyssum flower seeds are a classic and award-winning addition to any home or garden this...
French Marigold Seeds - Disco Series (Coated)
56-63 Days to maturity. Tagetes patula. Disco Series French Marigold Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated. Disco Series French marigold seeds are an adorable, compact, and vibrant addition to grow in any...
French Marigold Seeds - Bonanza Series (Coated)
56-63 Days to maturity. Tagetes patula. Bonanza Series French Marigold Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated. Bonanza Series French marigold seeds are brilliant, easy to grow, and renowned for their hardiness and...
Cosmos Seeds - Bright Lights
56-63 days. Bright Lights cosmos seeds grow a playful, robust, and familiar annual sown among sunflowers and wildflowers. Bright Lights seeds grow hardy, drought tolerant cosmos shrubs as high as...
French Marigold Seeds - Janie Series
56-63 Days to maturity. Tagetes patula. Janie Series Marigold Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated. Growing Janie Series Marigold seeds this season is an effortless and award-winning way to dash some summer...
Nasturtium Seeds - Empress of India
Empress of India Nasturtium Flower Seeds. Edible Flowers. Annual Flower. Mix with a salad of baby greens or use as a garnish. The dark leaves set off the dazzling, long-spurred...
Marigold (Signata) Seeds - Gem Series
63-77 days. Gem Series signata seeds promise a stunning and exotic twist to the traditional marigold popularly grown in the United States. Gem Series seeds grow tidy 9-12" dwarfed mounds...
Zinnia Seeds - Swizzle Series
54-70 Days to maturity. Zinnia elegans. Swizzle Series Zinnia Seeds. Non-GMO, organic, F1 hybrid, annual. Swizzle Series Zinnia flower seeds in your garden will turn heads this summer. Swizzle Series...
California Poppy Seeds
56-70 Days to maturity. Eschscholzia californica. California Poppy Seeds. Non-GMO, annual. California poppy seeds grow one of the most radiant, iconic, and all-American blooms ever! California poppy seeds promise a...
Bean Seeds - Bush - Cherokee Black Wax
50-65 Days to maturity. Phaseolus vulgaris. Cherokee Black Wax Bush Bean Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, bush, snap, wax bean. Suitable for growing in containers, garden plots, raised beds, and greenhouses....
Calendula Seeds - Fancy Mix
50-70 Days to maturity. Calendula officinalis. Fancy Mix Calendula Seeds. Non-GMO, open-pollinated, annual, ornamental herb and flower. Fancy Mix Calendulas are hardy, tolerant of cool temperatures, and produce some strikingly...
Endive Seeds - Frisee
Frisee endive grows best in cool conditions. The plant grows 8-12" tall and produces delicate frilly leaves of a yellow-green color. They have a slightly bitter but mild taste that...
Alyssum Seeds - Easter Bonnet Series (Raw or MSP)
63-77 Days to maturity. Lobularia maritima. Easter Bonnet Series Alyssum Multi-seed Pelleted Seeds. Non-GMO, Open-Pollinated, Annual. Open-pollinated, multi-pelleted seeds. Easter Bonnet Series Alyssum seeds promise delicate and early spring blooms...
French Marigold Seeds - Dainty Marietta
50-65 Days to maturity. Tagetes patula' Dainty Marietta'. Dainty Marietta French Marigold Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated. This drought-tolerant French Dwarf Marigold is truly one of a kind. The striking yellow...
Tarragon Seeds - Mexican
70-90 Days to maturity. Tagetes lucida. Mexican Tarragon Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom. Suitable for growing in fields, containers, garden plots, raised beds, and greenhouses. Discover the warm, licorice-scented charm...
Cauliflower Seeds - Song TJS-65 - Hybrid
55-60 Days in Spring, 65-70 Days in Fall to maturity Brassica oleracea var. botrytis. Cauliflower Seeds - Song TJS-65. Annual, Hybrid. This is a non-GMO seed that has a yellowish...
Wildflower Seeds - Cutting Mix (Organic)
50-90 Days to maturity. Cosmos bipinnatus, Lobularia maritima, Zinnia elegans, Centaurea cyanus, and Helianthus annuus. Organic Cut Flower Mix Seeds. Non-GMO, Organic, Annuals. The Organic Cut Flower Mix offers a...
Chinese Celery Seeds - Yellow Stem
55-65 Days to maturity. Apium graveolens. Yellow Stem Chinese Celery Seeds. Non-GMO, Heirloom. This unique celery variety has hollow, delicate stalks which are less fibrous than other celeries. The open-pollinated...
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...
Dill Seeds - Dwarf Fernleaf
Non-GMO, Heirloom Dwarf Fernleaf Dill Herb Garden Seed from True Leaf Market. Anethum graveolens. Dwarf Fernleaf Dill grows as slow-bolting warm-season annuals and is native to South Russia and regions...
Purslane Seeds - Golden
35 days. Purslane Golden is one terrific green! Super healthy, it is loaded with Omega 3- more than any other leafy vegetable, more than many fish oil, and has a...
French Marigold Seeds - Sparky - Organic
63-77 Days to maturity. Tagetes patula. Organic Sparky Marigold Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, Open Pollinated. Sparky Mixture marigold seeds offer one of the most vibrant and inexpensive blooms available to the...
Swiss Chard Seeds - Yellow
55 days. The Yellow Swiss Chard is a variety that produces dark green leaves on bright Yellow stems. These stems are excellent as an ornamental piece in the garden, but...
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