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]()
Pepper Seeds - Hot - Cayenne Long Slim
70-79 Days to maturity (from transplant). Capsicum annuum. Cayenne Long Slim Pepper Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, deer resistant, heat tolerant, drought tolerant, hot pepper with hot heat levels. 30,000...
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...
Beet - Microgreens Seeds
12-23 days. Beet microgreens have beautiful variegated stems and leaves with an earthy, almost sweet flavor. Beet microgreens are easy to grow from seed in soil. Hydroponic mediums aren't suitable...
Corn Seeds - Sweet - Ambrosia Hybrid
80-90 Days to maturity. Zea mays. Ambrosia Hybrid Corn Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, hybrid, Sweet Corn. Suitable for growing in garden plots or raised beds. Corn tolerates heat and drought-prone regions....
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,...
Radish Seeds - Cherry Belle (Organic)
Organic Cherry Belle is a Non- Gmo heirloom variety ready in 23 days. All-American Selection (AAS) winning radish variety that produces bright red globe-shaped fruit. The flesh or cherry belle...
Squash Seeds - Winter - Waltham Butternut (Organic)
110 days to maturity. Cucurbita moschata. Organic Waltham Butternut Winter Squash Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, heirloom, open-pollinated, AAS winner. Suitable for growing in fields, garden plots, raised beds, and containers. The...
Kale Seeds - Red Russian
50-60 days. Red Russian Kale Seeds. Brassica napus var. pabularia. Non-GMO. Heirloom. A popular and tenacious red variation to the ever-popular Russian kale, Red Russian grows a lighter, but still...
Pepper Seeds - Sweet - Emerald Giant
77 Days to maturity (from transplant). Capsicum annuum. Emerald Giant Pepper Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, high-yielding, drought tolerant, sweet pepper with no heat. 0 Scoville Heat Units. Resistant to...
Squash Seeds - Winter - Vegetable Spaghetti (Organic)
80-100 days. Organic Vegetable Spaghetti Winter Squash Seeds. Cucurbita pepo. Non-GMO. Open Pollinated. Grow your own pasta replacement with Organic Vegetable Spaghetti Winter squash seeds. This spaghetti squash is ready...
Moringa Seeds
160-170 Days to maturity. Moringa oleifera. Moringa Seeds. Non-GMO, Perennial, Deciduous Softwood Tree. Moringa is also known as the Drumstick Tree, Horseradish Tree, and Ben Oil Tree. It is enjoyed...
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,...
Lettuce Seeds - Leaf - Black Seeded Simpson
These non-GMO Black Seeded Simpson seeds grow into vibrant, green leaves of lettuce that are ready to harvest in just 40 to 49 days. The Black Seeded Simpson lettuce can...
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...
Pak Choi Seeds - White Stem
Up to 33 days. Pak Choi is also known as Bok Choy. The plant produces large, green leaves off a thick, white stem. Leaves have a mild and peppery flavor,...
Wildflower Seeds - Save the Monarchs
Save The Monarchs Seed Collection. Ornamental Flower Seeds. 100,000 seeds of 13 Varieties of Assorted Wildflower Seeds. Heirloom. Non GMO. High Germination. Save the Monarchs Seed Collection is an exclusive...
Pumpkin Seeds - Jack O Lantern
90-110 days. Jack O Lantern Pumpkin Seeds. Cucurbita pepo. Open Pollinated. Non-GMO. Producing bright orange 10-12 lb pumpkins a piece, Jack O Lantern pumpkins are the ideal seeds for Halloween...
Tomato Seeds - Slicing - Cherokee Purple (Organic)
80-90 Days to maturity (from transplant). Solanum lycopersicum. Organic Cherokee Purple Tomato Seeds. Non-GMO, warm-season annual, organic, open-pollinated, heirloom, heat-tolerant, indeterminate, slicing tomato. Suitable for growing in garden plots, raised...
Lettuce Seeds - Butterhead - All Year Round
65-75 days. All Year Round Butterhead Lettuce Seeds. Lactuca sativa. Non-GMO. Annual. An award-winning and absolutely hardy cultivar of butter head, Buttercrunch is tender, delicious, and looks as good in...
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 - Rainbow Blend (Organic)
65-75 days. The Rainbow Blend Carrot is an excellent way to get lots of colors in the garden all at once! This kaleidoscope of carrots is a colorful mixture of...
Mustard Seeds - Southern Giant Curled
Non-GMO, Heirloom Southern Giant Curled Mustard Seeds from True Leaf Market. Southern Giant Curled Mustard is a staple in Southern gardens. It has large, bright green fringed and curled leaves...
Tomato Seeds - Paste - San Marzano Determinate
80-90 Days to maturity (from transplant). Solanum lycopersicum. San Marzano Determinate Tomato Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, determinate, paste tomato. Suitable for growing in garden plots, raised beds, and greenhouses....
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...
Swiss Chard Seeds - Rainbow Mixture
60 days. The Rainbow Mixture Swiss Chard seed mix is a blend of different colored swiss chard varieties. The chard can grow in zones 6 and up, and the leaves...
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...
Swiss Chard Seeds - Rainbow Mixture (Organic)
60 days. Organic Rainbow Mixture Swiss Chard seeds. Beta vulgaris var. cicla. Non-GMO. Organic Rainbow mixture swiss chard seed is the perfect variety mix for the home gardener who wants...
Squash Seeds - Winter - Table Queen Acorn
80-85 days. Table Queen Acorn Winter Squash seeds grow as warm season annuals and are part of the diverse Cucurbitaeae family. Acorn squash can be planted year round in temperate...
Cucumber Seeds - Lemon
65 Days to maturity. Cucumis sativus. Lemon Cucumber Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, monoecious, slicing or pickling cucumber. Suitable for growing in fields, containers (with support), garden plots, raised beds,...
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