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]()
Squash Seeds - Winter - Vegetable Spaghetti
80-100 days. Vegetable Spaghetti Winter Squash Seeds. Cucurbita pepo. Non-GMO. Open Pollinated. Grow your own pasta replacement with Vegetable Spaghetti Winter squash seeds. This spaghetti squash is ready in just...
Nasturtium Seeds - Jewel Mix
54-63 Days to maturity. Tropaeolum majus. Organic Nasturtium Jewel Mix Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, heirloom. Jewel Mix nasturtium is brilliant, easy to grow from seed, and perfectly suited for many dry...
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...
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...
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,...
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,...
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...
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...
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,...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Petunia Seeds - Dreams Series (pelleted)
98-105 Days to maturity. Petunia x hybrida. Dream Series Petunia Seeds. Non-GMO, hybrid, Premium Quality Seeds, annual. Dreams Series petunia seeds are an essential and timeless flower in your garden,...
Cucumber Seeds - Ashley
65 days. The Ashley cucumber is a large variety of cucumber that is sweet and tender. The Ashley is green and smooth, and grows to be seven to eight inches...
Pumpkin Seeds - Jarrahdale
Cucurbita maxima (100 days) A New Zealand heirloom, Jarrahdale pumpkin has a slate blue, ribbed exterior and a deep delicious orange interior flesh. The flesh is dry, string less, sweet...
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...
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...
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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