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]()
Melon Seeds - Cantaloupe - Hales Best Jumbo (Organic)
85-110 Days to maturity. Cucumis melo. Hale's Best Jumbo Cantaloupe Melon Seeds. A non-GMO, annual, heirloom, open-pollinated, organic, heat-tolerant, drought-tolerant Cantaloupe Melon. Suitable for growing in garden plots, raised beds,...
Bean Seeds - Bush - Contender
50-65 Days to maturity. Phaseolus vulgaris. Contender Bush Bean Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, high yielding, heat tolerant, bush, snap, stringless bean. Suitable for growing in containers, garden plots, raised...
Radish Seeds - Champion
Non-GMO, Heirloom, champion radish seeds. 25 days. AAS Winner. Recommended by USU. Deep scarlet, globe-shaped root is very firm and stands well without becoming pithy. Fresh, spicy-sweet flavor, Champion radishes...
Beet Seeds - Golden Detroit
55-60 days. Golden Detroit beet seeds. Beta vulgaris. Annual. Non-GMO. The Golden Detroit is an easy to grow beet that can be harvested as early as fifty days after planting,...
Pepper Seeds - Hot - Jalapeno (Organic)
Organic, heirloom, Non-GMO Jalapeno pepper seeds are a great hot pepper to start due to their ease and versatility. The heat is between 2,000 and 8,000 Scoville Units. Hot peppers...
Cucumber Seeds - Straight Eight
55-60 days. Straight Eight Cucumber Seeds. Cucumis sativus. Non-GMO. Heirloom. Nearly a century-old American heirloom, the Straight Eight is an award-winning slicing cucumber known for its uniformly straight 8 inch...
Cabbage Seeds - Red Acre
100 days. The Red Acre cabbage is a hardy garden crop that can be grown in climate zones three through nine. The plant produces medium sized, maroon heads that can...
Lettuce Seeds - Gourmet Mix (Organic)
45-65 days. Organic Gourmet Mixture Lettuce Seeds. Lactuca sativa. Heirloom. Mixed Greens. Organic Gourmet Mix lettuce seeds feature a specialty blend of choice tender loose-leaf lettuce greens to help diversify...
Zinnia Seeds - California Giant Mix
75-90 Days to maturity. Zinnia elegans. California Giant Mixture Zinnia Seeds. Non-GMO, organic, annual. The “king of summer annuals" California Giant Mix seeds are the largest variety of Zinnias ever,...
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....
Spearmint Seeds
50-70 Days to maturity. Mentha spicata. Spearmint Seeds. Non-GMO, perennial, open-pollinated, heirloom. Suitable for growing in fields, containers, garden plots, raised beds, and greenhouses. Enjoy the vibrant, fruity aroma of...
Tomato Seeds - Salad - Early Girl Hybrid
60 Days to maturity (from transplant). Solanum lycoperscium. Early Girl Hybrid Tomato Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, hybrid, heat tolerant, drought tolerant, indeterminate, salad. Suitable for growing in garden plots, raised beds,...
Petunia Seeds - Easy Wave Series (pelleted)
98-105 Days to maturity. Petunia x hybrida. Easy Wave Series Petunia Seeds. Non-GMO, hybrid, Premium Quality Seeds, annual. Easy Wave Series petunia seeds grow one of summer's most famous and...
Eggplant Seeds - Black Beauty
74 days. The Black Beauty variety of eggplant is ideal for eggplant parmesan or stuffed eggplant dishes. The Black Beauty reaches maturity in seventy four days and is suitable for...
Basil Seeds - Genovese
60-90 days. Genovese basil seeds. Ocimum basilicum. Non-GMO. Open Pollinated. Genovese is a sweet basil heirloom native to the Italian provinces of Genoa, Savona, and Imperia; while locals are decided...
Pepper Seeds - Hot - Jalapeno Early
60-83 Days to maturity (from transplant). Non-GMO, Early Jalapeno Pepper Seeds from True Leaf Market grow 3" hot peppers that can be harvested when they're either dark green or bright...
Cucumber Seeds - Tendergreen Burpless
65 Days to maturity. Cucumis sativus. Tendergreen Burpless Cucumber Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, monoecious, burpless, slicing cucumber. Suitable for growing in fields, containers (with support), garden plots, raised beds,...
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...
Sunflower Seeds - Mammoth Grey Stripe
90-110 Days to maturity. Helianthus annuus. Mammoth Grey Stripe Sunflower Seeds: Non-GMO. Open Pollinated. Ornamental. Annual. Mammoth sunflower seeds grow one of the tallest, brightest, and most breathtaking flowers in...
Collards Seeds - Georgia Southern
70 days. Georgia Southern Collard seeds grow cabbage like dark green leaves, with a slightly crumpled texture. These collard leaves are huge and juicy, making them excellent for salads and...
White Dutch Clover - Cover Crop Seeds
70-90 Days. Trifolium repens. Non-GMO. Cover Crop. Perennial. Open-pollinated White Dutch clover seeds produce a cover crop for gardens lacking in nitrogen and productivity. Non-GMO White Dutch clover seeds quickly...
Pepper Seeds - Sweet - Yolo Wonder L
75-80 days. Yolo Wonder L Sweet Pepper Seeds. Capsicum annuum. Heirloom. Non-GMO. Classic bell pepper shape, size, and flavor, Yolo Wonder L sweet pepper seeds are a summer favorite both...
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...
Lettuce Seeds - Romaine - Little Gem
Non-GMO, Heirloom Little Gem Lettuce Seeds from True Leaf Market. These little treasures grow into small, green heads of lettuce that are ready to harvest in approximately 70 days. The...
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...
Catnip Seeds
Up to 85 days. Foliage is greenish-gray with small blue flowers. Dried leaves can be used for tea and as a stimulant for cats. Small bilabiate blooms can be white,...
Tomato Seeds - Slicing - Cherokee Purple
80-90 Days to maturity (from transplant). Solanum lycopersicum. Cherokee Purple Tomato Seeds. Non-GMO, warm-season annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, heat-tolerant, indeterminate, slicing tomato. Suitable for growing in garden plots, raised beds, greenhouses....
Cucumber Seeds - Diva Hybrid
58 days. The Diva Hybrid cucumber is an early variety of cucumber that is sweet and tender. The Diva Hybrid is dark and semi glossy, and grows to be between...
Lettuce Seeds - Crisphead - Iceberg
70-79 days. These non-GMO Iceberg seeds grow into green heads of lettuce that are ready to harvest in 70 to 79 days. The Iceberg lettuce is one of the most...
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