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]()
Broccoli - Waltham 29 - Microgreens Seeds
8-12 days. Broccoli makes an excellent microgreen, as it is one of the easiest crops to grow. It has a deliciously mild, fresh brocolli or cabbage flavor and makes a...
Mung Bean - Organic - Sprouting Seeds
2-4 Days to Harvest. Vigna radiata. Organic Mung Bean Sprouting Seeds. Mung bean sprouts are arguably the most widely used sprouts. This organic seed is a great starter sprout that...
Carrot Seeds - Tendersweet
70-75 days. Tendersweet carrot Seeds. Daucus carota subsp. sativus. Non-GMO. Heirloom. Aptly named Tendersweet for its tender 9-10" roots and its unmatched sugar content, next to sugar beet, Tendersweet carrot...
Cucumber Seeds - Pickling - Boston Pickling
55-60 days. Boston Pickling Cucumber Seeds. Cucumis sativus. Non-GMO. The Boston Pickling cucumber is an American heirloom first marketed in 1877 by the pioneering Detroit-based seed company, D.M. Ferry &...
Spinach Seeds - Giant Noble
Non-GMO. Heirloom. Giant Noble Spinach Vegetable Garden Seed. Spinacia oleracea. The smooth and rich-green leaves of these spinach plants help provide this heirloom's name" as Giant Noble Spinach leaves grow...
Beet Seeds - Detroit Dark Red
55 days. Detroit Dark Red beet seeds. Beta vulgaris. Annual. Non-GMO. Since the turn of the century, Detroit Dark Red has been the preferred choice for homegrown classic American beets....
Cilantro Seeds - Slow Bolt (Organic)
Non-GMO, Heirloom Organic Slow Bolt Cilantro Herb Garden Seed from True Leaf Market. Coriandrum sativum. Cilantro is native to regions in North Africa and West Asia. As a cool-season ancient...
Squash Seeds - Summer - Zucchini Black Beauty
60-70 days. Black Beauty Zucchini Summer Squash Seeds. Cucurbita pepo. Non-GMO. Open Pollinated. AKA: Courgette. One of the most productive crops to ever find its way into the home garden,...
Pepper Seeds - Sweet - Big Red
75 Days to maturity (from transplant). Capsicum annuum. Big Red Pepper Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, high-yielding, drought tolerant, sweet pepper with no heat levels. 0 Scoville Heat Units. Suitable for...
Broccoli Seeds - Waltham 29
85-90 days. Waltham 29 Broccoli Seeds. Brassica oleracea var. italica. Annual. Non-GMO. Developed at the University of Massachusetts Amherst's historic research farm, Waltham Field Station, heirloom Waltham 29 broccoli garden...
Basil Seeds - Italian Large Leaf
60-90 days. Italian Large Leaf basil seeds. Ocimum basilicum. Non-GMO. Open Pollinated. Giant green shiny leaves full of seasonal aroma that just makes your mouth water, Italian Large Leaf is...
Pea Seeds - Snap - Sugar Snap
60-70 Days to maturity. Pisum sativum. Sugar Snap Pea seeds. Non-GMO, open-pollinated, 1979 AAS winner. Suitable for growing in fields, containers, garden plots, raised beds, and greenhouses. Resistant to powdery...
Bean Seeds - Bush - Blue Lake 274
50-65 Days to maturity. Phaseolus vulgaris. Blue Lake 247 Bean Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom snap bush bean. Suitable for growing in containers, garden plots, raised beds, and greenhouses. Blue...
Cabbage Seeds - Golden Acre
65 days. The Golden Acre cabbage is a crop that can be grown in climate zones three through twelve, and is resistant to yellowing diseases. This hardy plant produces heads...
Broccoli Seeds - Waltham 29 (Organic)
85-90 days. Organic Waltham 29 Broccoli Seeds. Brassica oleracea var. italica. Annual. Non-GMO. Developed at the University of Massachusetts Amherst's historic research farm, Waltham Field Station, Organic Waltham 29 broccoli...
Peppermint Seeds
90 Days. Peppermint Culinary Herb Seeds. Mentha sp. Non-GMO. A deliciously versatile and bright herb, peppermint seeds are a naturally occurring hybrid between culinary spearmint and watermint. Grown very similar...
Squash Seeds - Winter - Waltham Butternut
85-90 days. Cucurbita moschata. Waltham Butternut Winter Squash seeds grow as cool season tender annuals that are fast-maturing. As the summer season fades, butternut squash varieties are the most popular...
Tomato Seeds - Paste - Roma VF
75-80 Days to maturity (from transplant). Solanum lycoperscium. Roma VF Tomato Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, determinate, paste tomato. Suitable for growing in garden plots, raised beds, and greenhouses. Resistant...
Bean Seeds - Pole - Blue Lake FM1K
65 Days to maturity. Phaseolus vulgaris . Blue Lake Pole FM1K Bean Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, high-yielding, drought-tolerant, pole, snap bean. Suitable for growing in containers, garden plots, raised...
Pumpkin Seeds - Sugar Pie
85-100 days. Sugar Pie Pumpkin Seeds. Cucurbita pepo. Non-GMO. Heirloom. Also widely known as the New England pumpkin, the Sugar Pie is a true American heirloom and culinary standard. Non-GMO...
Pepper Seeds - Sweet - Cal Wonder (Organic)
75-90 Days to maturity (from transplant). Capsicum annuum. Organic Cal Wonder Pepper Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, organic, open-pollinated, heirloom, drought tolerant, sweet pepper with no heat. 0 Scoville Heat Units. Resistant...
Tomato Seeds - Cherry - Large Red Cherry
75-80 Days to maturity (from transplant). Solanum lycoperscium. Large Red Cherry Tomato Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, indeterminate, cherry tomato. Suitable for growing in garden plots, raised beds, and greenhouses....
Spinach Seeds - Bloomsdale Long Standing (Organic)
35-50 days. Organic Bloomsdale Long Standing Spinach Seeds. Spinacia oleracea. Non-GMO. Heirloom. Organic Bloomsdale Long Standing Spinach provides bright flavor with tender leaves, as this annual is a popular variety...
Carrot Seeds - Danvers 126
65-70 days. 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 heavy,...
Tomato Seeds - Cherry - Supersweet 100 Hybrid
70 Days to maturity (from transplant). Solanum lycoperscium. Supersweet 100 Hybrid Tomato Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, F1 hybrid, indeterminate, cherry tomato. Suitable for growing in garden plots, raised beds, greenhouses, containers,...
Okra Seeds - Clemson Spineless
50-70 days. Clemson Spineless Okra Seeds. Abelmoschus esculentus. Non-GMO. Heirloom. Also known as Clemson Spineless 80. Clemson Spineless okra debutedas the 1939 All-America Selections Vegetable Winner is a highly popular...
Onion Seeds - Long - Utah Yellow Sweet Spanish
110-115 Days to maturity. Allium cepa. Utah Yellow Sweet Spanish Onion Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, cold tolerant, bulbing, long-day onion. Suitable for growing in greenhouses, garden plots, raised beds,...
Parsley Seeds - Dark Green Italian Flat-leaf
Petroselinum crispum Annual. 72 days. Non-GMO, Heirloom Dark Green Italian Flat Leaf Parsley Herb Garden Seed from True Leaf Market. Petroselinum crispum. Italian Parsley plants are hardy biennials often grown...
Brussels Sprouts Seeds - Long Island Improved
90-100 days. Long Island Improved Brussels sprouts seeds. Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera. Non-GMO. Brussels Sprouts can be grown in colder climates, and the crop is very tolerant of frost. While...
Squash Seeds - Summer - Crookneck
50-60 days. Crookneck Summer Squash Seeds. Cucurbita pepo. Non-GMO. Open Pollinated. Non-GMO Summer Crookneck squash is ready in about 58 days. The flesh of this squash is bumpy and yellow....
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