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]()
Watermelon Seeds - Giant - Black Diamond
90 Days to maturity. Citrullus lanatus. Black Diamond Watermelon Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, heat tolerant, seeded, Giant watermelon. Developed in Arkansas in the 1950s. Called black diamond because of...
Swiss Chard Seeds - Fordhook Giant
60 days. The Swiss Chard Fordhook Giant is a variety that can grow to be over two feet tall. This plant produced broad, dark green leaves with bright white stems...
Tomato Seeds - Slicing - Beefsteak Determinate
70 Days to maturity (from transplant). Solanum lycoperscium. Beefsteak Determinate Tomato Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, determinate, slicing tomato. Suitable for growing in garden plots, raised beds, and greenhouses. The plant...
Broccoli Raab Seeds - Spring Rapini
Brassica rapa (36 days) Broccoli Raab is also known as broccoli Asparago in Italy where it is prized for being a culinary delight. Broccoli Raab Seeds - Spring Rapini Spring...
Melon Seeds - Crenshaw - Crenshaw
110 Days to maturity. Cucumis melo. Crenshaw Melon Seeds. A non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, heat-tolerant Crenshaw Melon. Suitable for growing in containers, garden plots, raised beds, and greenhouses. The Crenshaw...
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...
Pea Seeds - Shelling - Green Arrow
65-70 days. Green Arrow Pea Seeds. Pisum sativum. Non-GMO. Hails from England and has been a gourmet variety in the EU for years. It is a heavy yielding shelling pea...
Pea - Austrian Field Pea - Cover Crop Seeds
60-70 Days to Termination. Pisum sativum subsp. arvense . Non-GMO. Heirloom. Open-Pollinated. Austrian field pea cover crop seeds are a non-GMO, restorative, low-growing, vining legume known to convert over 200...
Pea Seeds - Snow - Oregon Giant
In 67 days you could be eating Oregon Giant Snow Peas straight from the garden. These snow peas are considered one of the largest, crispiest, and sweetest. Vines stay below...
Lettuce Seeds - Romaine - Cimmaron
65 days. This charming heirloom romaine produces a 10 to 12 inch, deep-red head with good flavor and a crisp tender texture. Virtually impervious to bolting. These non-GMO Cimarron seeds...
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...
African Marigold Seeds - Inca II Series
77-84 Days to maturity. Tagetes erecta. Inca II Series African Marigold Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, hybrid. Inca II Series African marigold seeds invite timeless AAS award-winning color for your home, patio,...
Tomato Seeds - Slicing - German Johnson
76 Days to maturity (from transplant). Solanum lycopersicum. German Johnson Tomato Seeds. Non-GMO, warm season annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, heat tolerant, humidity tolerant, indeterminate, slicing tomato. Suitable for growing in garden...
Beet Seed - Bulls Blood
40-52 days. The Bull's Blood beet is a variety of beet that has a higher nutritional value than others. In addition to this, Bull's Blood is often grown as an...
Squash Seeds - Summer - Zucchini Grey
45-50 days. Zucchini Grey Summer Squash Seeds. Cucurbita pepo. Non-GMO. Open Pollinated. An Old World heirloom native to Italy, the Zucchini Grey summer squash has been a Mediterranean favorite since...
Lettuce Seeds - Butterhead - Bronze Mignonette
Non-GMO Bronze Mignonette Butterhead Lettuce is tolerant of warm temperatures making it perfect for southern gardens. Mignonette is known for bronze streaks on medium green leaves and is very beautiful....
Spinach Seeds - Viroflay
Non-GMO, Heirloom Viroflay Spinach Vegetable Garden Seed from True Leaf Market. Spinacia oleracea. Viroflay Spinach Seeds originate from France around the 17th century and have been cultivated in Paris. The...
Watermelon Seeds - Mini - Baby Doll Hybrid
70-75 Days to maturity. Citrullus lanatus. Baby Doll F1 hybrid Watermelon Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, hybrid, heat tolerant, seeded, mini watermelon. These warm season watermelons win the race as their oval-shaped...
Tomato Seeds - Slicing - Pineapple
85-90 Days to maturity (from transplant). Solanum lycopersicum. Pineapple Tomato Seeds. Non-GMO, warm season annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, indeterminate, slicing tomato. Suitable for growing in garden plots, raised beds, and greenhouses....
Lettuce Seeds - Little Gem - Organic
Lactuca sativa . (50 days) Little Gem lettuce is a tiny single serving size lettuce with rich dark green Organic leaves and a sweet, buttery flavor. Non-astringent flavor makes them...
Bean Seeds - Bush - Pinto (Organic)
90-95 Days to maturity. Phaseolus vulgaris. Organic Pinto Bean Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, organic, heirloom, bush, shelling bean. Suitable for growing in containers, garden plots, raised beds, and greenhouses. Pinto...
Beet Seeds - Cylindra
55 days. The Cylindra beet is a variety of beet that originated in Denmark. Their long, cylindrical shape makes them ideal for anyone who wants a larger yield of beets...
Rhubarb Seeds - Victoria
Non-GMO Victoria Rhubarb Seeds are a perennial heirloom that you want to include in your garden. An open-pollinated strain, Victoria Rhubarb can be raised from seed. Juicy, large stalks are...
Eggplant Seeds - Black Beauty - Organic
Solanum melongena esculentum (80 days) Black Beauty Organic Eggplant has large, jet-black fruits that are egg-shaped and weigh 1-3 pounds. Was also know as "Imperial Black Beauty." Eggplant Seeds -...
Watermelon Seeds - Mini - Sugar Baby (Organic)
75-80 Days to maturity. Citrullus lanatus. Organic Sugar Baby Watermelon Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, organic, open-pollinated, heirloom, heat tolerant, seeded, mini watermelon. Suitable for growing in garden plots and large containers...
Tomato Seeds - Slicing - Burpee Big Boy Hybrid
78 Days to maturity (from transplant). Solanum lycopersicum. Burpee Big Boy Hybrid Tomato Seeds. Non-GMO, warm season annual, organic, F1 hybrid, indeterminate, slicing tomato. Suitable for growing in garden plots,...
Tomato Seeds - Cherry - Gardener's Delight
50-80 Days to maturity (from transplant). Solanum lycoperscium. Gardeners Delight Tomato Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, indeterminate, cherry tomato. Suitable for growing in garden plots, raised beds, and greenhouses. Resistant...
Onion Seeds - Bunching - Flagpole (Organic)
60-80 Days to maturity. Allium fistulosum. Organic Flagpole Scallion Onion Seeds. Non-GMO, perennial, organic, open-pollinated, heirloom, cold tolerant, bunching onion. Suitable for growing in greenhouses, garden plots, and raised beds....
Tomato Seeds - Cherry - Suncherry Extra Sweet Hybrid
65 Days to maturity (from transplant). Solanum lycopersicum. Suncherry Extra Sweet Japanese Tomato Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, hybrid, indeterminate cherry tomato. Suitable for growing in garden plots, raised beds, and greenhouses....
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...
Lettuce Seeds - Heatwave Mix
45-60 days. Non-GMO. Heirloom. Heatwave Lettuce Seed Mix. Lactuca. The Heatwave Lettuce Mix lettuces that thrive in the heat and remain productive. Our choice "slow-bolt" varieties feature Grand Rapids, Prizehead,...
Cucumber Seeds - Tsuyataro - Hybrid
55 to 75 Days to maturity. Cucumis sativus var. tsuyataro. Tsuyataro Cucumber Hybrid Seeds. Warm-season annual hybrid. Non-GMO. This outstanding, easy-to-grow, burpless type is popular in Japan. The skin is...
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