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 - Honeydew - Green Flesh (Organic)
105 Days to maturity. Cucumis melo. Organic Green Flesh Honeydew Melon Seeds. A non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, heat-tolerant Honeydew Melon. Suitable for growing in containers, garden plots, raised beds, and...
Carrot Seeds - Royal Chantenay
65-70 days. Royal Chantenay Carrot Seeds. Daucus carota subsp. sativus. Non-GMO. Heirloom. From the Chantenay region of France, Chantenay is an old-world favorite grown for denser, stubbier roots. A 19th...
Tomato Seeds - Slicing - Watermelon Beefsteak (Organic)
75 Days to maturity (from transplant). Solanum lycopersicum. Organic Watermelon Beefsteak Tomato Seeds. Non-GMO, warm season annual, organic, open-pollinated, heirloom, indeterminate, slicing tomato. Suitable for growing in garden plots, raised...
Sweet William Seeds - Double Mixture
105-112 days to maturity. Dianthus barbatus. Dianthus Double Mixture Seeds. Non-GMO, Annual, or Biennial. Ornamental. Double Mix Sweet William seeds promise elegant 3-5 inch blooms of crimsons, scarlets, and pinks...
Tomato Seeds - Slicing - Brandywine Red Potato Leaf (Organic)
80-90 Days to maturity (from transplant). Solanum lycopersicum. Organic Brandywine Red Tomato Seeds. Non-GMO, warm season annual, organic, open-pollinated, heirloom, potato leaf, indeterminate, slicing tomato. Suitable for growing in garden...
Lettuce Seeds - Summer Bibb - Organic
(43 days) Lt. John B. Bibb served in the War of 1812, represented Logan County in the Kentucky House of Representatives and the state Senate from 1827 to 1834. Lt....
Beet Seeds - Cylindra - Organic
(60 days) This beet dates back to the 1880s. Also known as the "Formanova". Dark red, cylindrical and about 6-9"s long. This is not your typical beet as it is...
Cucumber Seeds - Spacemaster (Organic)
65 Days to maturity. Cucumis sativus. Organic Spacemaster Cucumber Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, organic, open-pollinated, heirloom, monoecious, pickling, or slicing cucumber. Suitable for growing in fields, containers (with support), garden plots,...
Radicchio Seeds - Rouge de Verona
Rouge De Verona Radicchio is an heirloom plant that can be compared to a cross between a cabbage and lettuce. Ready in about 80 days, Roufe De Verona can be...
Lettuce Seeds - Red Romaine
Lactuca sativa (40 days) Red Romaine Lettuce has long crunchy spoon shaped leaves that start green and fade to profuse purple/red. Leaves are 12" tall and the plant is about...
Onion Seeds - Intermediate - Imai Early Yellow
150 days maturity after transplanting. Allium cepa. Imai Early Yellow Onion Seeds. Non-GMO, cool-season, annual, heirloom. This selection of Senshu Yellow matures 10-15 days earlier than original Imai. A medium-day...
Radish Seeds - Korean - Bora King - Hybrid
60 days to maturity. Raphanus sativus. Bora King Hybrid Korean Radish Seeds. Cool season annual. Bora King radishes live up to their royal name by being a gorgeous purple all...
Pumpkin Seeds - Jarrahdale (Organic)
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...
Garbanzo Bean - Organic - Cover Crop Seeds
100 Days. Cicer arietinum. Cover Crop. Organic. Heirloom. Similar to Daikon radish and mustard cover crops, Organic garbanzo bean seed is grown for its uniquely deep taproot known to break...
Onion Seeds - Bunching - Kyoto Kujo Negi
80 Days to maturity. Allium fistulosum. Kyoto Kujo Negi Japanese Bunching Onion Seeds. Non-GMO, perennial, open-pollinated, heirloom, bunching onion. Suitable for growing in greenhouses, garden plots, raised beds, and containers....
Zucchini Seeds - Caserta
Cucurbita pepo (65 days) An early bush cocozelle zucchini that produces huge yields of 16" fruit. Much better eaten at the 6-8" size. Zucchini Seeds - Caserta Light green skin...
Gomphrena Seeds - Gnome Series
2nd year maturity. Gomphrena globosa. Gomphrena Gnome Series Seeds. Non-GMO, Annual. Gnome Series seeds grow one of the summer's most unique, vigorous, and exclusive blooms, boasting exotic globe-shaped gomphrena heads....
Lettuce Seeds - Crisphead - Great Lakes Mesa 659
Great Lakes Mesa 659 crisphead lettuce is often found at grocery stores. Round iceberg heads are strong and firm with uniform leaves. Download Free Vegetable Growing Guide PDF Lettuce Seeds...
Pumpkin Seeds - White Queen
90-120 days. Non-GMO. Open-pollinated. White Queen Pumpkin Seeds from True Leaf Market grow ghostly white pumpkins that reach 7" to 10" in diameter. Ornamental white pumpkins like White Queen can...
Watermelon Seeds - Picnic - Cal Sweet
90 Days to maturity. Citrullus lanatus. Cal Sweet Watermelon Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, heat tolerant, seeded, Picnic watermelon. Cal Sweet Watermelon fruits typically weigh 20 to 25 pounds with...
Cabbage Seeds - All Seasons (Organic)
87 Days to maturity. Brassica oleracea var. capitata Organic All Seasons Cabbage was first listed by J.J.H. Gregory & Son, of Marblehead, Mass in 1886. A few years later it...
Bean Seeds - Bush - Cannellini (Organic)
75-85 Days to maturity. Phaseolus vulgaris. Organic Cannellini Bean Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, organic, open-pollinated, heirloom, bush shelling bean. Suitable for growing in containers, garden plots, raised beds, and greenhouses. Sometimes...
Pea Seeds - Snap - Cascadia (Organic)
Non-GMO Organic Cascadia Snap Pea seeds are ready in 65 days. These snap peas are a dwarf variety that do not need staking. Stringless pods are 3 inches long with...
Tomato Seeds - Slicing - Black Russian
80-85 Days to maturity (from transplant). Solanum lycopersicum. Black Russian Tomato Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, indeterminate, slicing tomato. Suitable for growing in garden plots, raised beds, and greenhouses. This...
Bean Seeds - Bush - Stringless Green Pod (Burpee)
Up to 50 days. Formerly Burpee Stringless. Crisp pods are 5 to 6 inches long, slightly curved and entirely stringless. Dependable producer, even under adverse conditions! Each plan50-55 Days to...
Watermelon Seeds - Mini - Cal Sweet Bush AAS
90 Days to maturity. Citrullus lanatus. Cal Sweet Bush AAS Watermelon Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, heat tolerant, seeded, Mini watermelon. Suitable for growing in garden plots and large containers...
Tomato Seeds - Salad - Green Zebra (Organic)
75-90 Days to maturity (from transplant). Solanum lycopersicum. Green Zebra (organic) Tomato Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, organic open-pollinated, heirloom, heat tolerant, indeterminate, salad tomato. Suitable for growing in garden plots, raised...
Morning Glory Seeds - Mixed Colors
112 Days to maturity. Ipomoea purpurea. Mixed Colors Morning Glory Seeds. Non-GMO, annual. Morning glory seeds are an essential and decorative plant for your summertime garden, home, or patio. Annual...
Lettuce Seeds - Heatwave Mix - Organic
The Heatwave Lettuce Mix lettuces that thrive in the heat and remain productive. Our choice" slow-bolt" varieties such as Great Lakes, Iya Sol, and Oakleaf Royal. These lettuce types texture...
Broccoli Seeds - Romanesco
75-100 Days to maturity. Brassica oleracea. Romanesco Broccoli Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, heirloom. The spiky heads of Romanesco Broccoli grow in an unusual fractal formation. Its Fibonacci-looking spirals create beautiful patterns...
Tomato Seeds - Slicing - Heirloom Rainbow Blend
80-100 Days to maturity (from transplant). Solanum lycopersicum. Heirloom Rainbow Blend Tomato Seeds. Non-GMO, warm season annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, indeterminate, slicing tomato. Suitable for growing in garden plots, raised beds,...
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