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 - Cantaloupe - Honey Rock
80 Days to maturity. Cucumis melo. Honey Rock Cantaloupe Melon Seeds. A non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, AAS winner, heat tolerant, Cantaloupe Melon. Suitable for growing in containers, garden plots, raised...
Squash Seeds - Korean, Summer - King Ka Ae -...
Squash Seeds - Korean, Summer - King Ka Ae - Hybrid. Non-GMO. Cucurbita moschata. 55-70 days to maturity after transplanting. Warm season annual. Excellent tasty Korean summer squash. Fruits have...
Mustard Seeds - Mizuna Red Streaks
45 days. 20 days for baby leaf. With a mild peppery mustard flavor, this green is great for salads as a baby green or a full-size green. The stalk has...
Squash Seeds - Summer - Scallop Yellow Bush (Organic)
49 days to maturity. Cucurbita pepo. Organic Scallop Yellow Bush Summer Squash Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, heirloom, open-pollinated, organic. This is suitable for growing in fields, containers, garden plots, raised beds,...
Bean Seeds - Pole - Yu Long Noodle Kin Yard...
65-75 Days to maturity. Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis. Yu Long Noodle Kin Yard Long Bean Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heat-tolerant, heirloom, pole, snap, Asian, specialty bean. Suitable for growing in...
Mustard Seeds - Japanese Red Giant
60-80 days. Brassica juncea var. rugosa. Japanese Red Giant Mustard Seeds. Non-GMO. Annual. Exceptionally broad-leafed and textured, Red Giant (Aka taka-na) is a Japanese mustard green specifically grown for its...
Carrot Seeds - Little Fingers - Organic
(65 days) Little Fingers baby gourmet carrot has tiny tender 3- 5" roots; 1/2 inch thick; golden orange, sweet and crisp. A perfect Nantes type carrot for munching or salads....
Echinacea Seeds - Bravado
70-84 days maturity. Echinacea purpurea. Echinacea Bravado Seeds. Non-GMO, Perennial. Bravado echinacea seeds grow one of summer's most celebrated and resilient blooms boasting classic 4-5 inch rosy pink "daisy-like" coneflowers....
Corn Seeds - Popcorn - Yellow (Organic)
95-110 Days to maturity. Zea mays. Yellow (organic) Corn Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, organic, open-pollinated, heirloom, Pop Corn. Suitable for growing in garden plots or raised beds. Corn tolerates heat and...
Pepper Seeds - Hot - Super Chili Hybrid
75 Days to maturity (from transplant). Capsicum annuum. Super Chili Hybrid Pepper Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, F1 hybrid, AAS winner, high yielding, deer resistant, heat tolerant, drought tolerant, hot pepper with...
Pea Seeds - Shelling - Progress No. 9
Non-GMO, Heirloom Progress No. 9 Pea Vegetable Garden Seed is a dwarf variety is an early-to-harvest hardy shelling pea that develops thick 4-5" deep-green pods. Short-vine bush peas such as...
Pepper Seeds - Sweet - Sweet Cayenne
75 Days to maturity (from transplant). Capsicum annuum. Sweet Cayenne Pepper Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, sweet pepper with mild heat levels. 0 to 200 Scoville Heat Units. Suitable for growing...
Radish Seeds - German Giant
A customer favorite, Non- GMO German Giant Radish is reliable and large. Ready in 30 day, this variety is known for its size and can become as large as a...
Cauliflower Seeds - Graffiti Hybrid
Package of 100 seeds. 80 to 90 days. A rare and stunning hybrid cauliflower, ideal for fresh market where the intense purple color is sure to garner attention. Upright, vigorous...
Cucumber Seeds - Dragon Suhyo Cross Hybrid
50-60 Days to maturity. Cucumis sativus var. dragon suhyo. Dragon Suhyo Cross Cucumber Seeds. Warm-season annual hybrid. Non-GMO. This vigorous hybrid sooyow-type Japanese cucumber originated in Northern China and is...
Tomato Seeds - Slicing - Marglobe (Organic)
72 Days to maturity (from transplant). Solanum lycoperscium. Organic Marglobe Tomato Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, organic, open-pollinated, heirloom, determinate, drought tolerant, heat tolerant, slicing tomato. Suitable for growing in garden plots,...
Cucumber Seeds - Asia Eun Cheon - Hybrid
55-60 Days to maturity. Cucumis sativus ‘Asia Eun Cheon’. Asia Eun Cheon Cucumber Seeds. Warm-season annual hybrid. Non-GMO. Asia Eun Cheon is a Korean hybrid cucumber that is early maturing...
White Berseem Clover (Coated) - Cover Crop Seeds
Open-pollinated Coated (clay and inoculant) White Berseem clover seeds grow an essential annual cover crop for gardens lacking in nitrogen and productivity. Non-GMO White Berseem clover seeds quickly mature into...
Pea Seeds - Shelling - Wando
60-70 Days to maturity. Pisum sativum. Wando Pea Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom. Suitable for growing in fields, containers, garden plots, raised beds, and greenhouses. Tolerates both cool spring and...
Lettuce Seeds - Leaf - Prizehead
40-50 days. These non-GMO Prizehead lettuce seeds grow into large green leaves with maroon tips. Prizehead Lettuce is ready to harvest in 48 days. The Prizehead thrives in full sun...
Pepper Seeds - Sweet - Emerald Giant (Organic)
77 Days to maturity (from transplant). Capsicum annuum. Organic Emerald Giant Pepper Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, organic, heirloom, high-yielding, drought tolerant, sweet pepper with no heat. 0 Scoville Heat Units....
Lettuce Seeds - Leaf - Royal Oakleaf
Royal Oakleaf lettuce is an improved Oakleaf variety that is slower to bolt. Heads form large rosettes of uniform leaves that are heat resistant. Leaves are dark green and shiny...
Tomato Seeds - Slicing - Giant Red Beefsteak
100 Days to maturity (from transplant). Solanum lycopersicum. Giant Red Beefsteak Tomato Seeds. Non-GMO, warm season annual, open-pollinated, indeterminate, slicing tomato. Suitable for growing in garden plots, raised beds, and...
Squash Seeds - Japanese Red Kuri - Organic
Cucurbita maxima. (90 days) Also known as "Uchiki Kuri", "Baby Red Hubbard" or "Orange Hokkaido". Japanese Red Kuri are bright red teardrop shaped squash that average 5-8 pounds. Organic Japanese...
Garbanzo Bean (Organic) - Bulk Grains & Foods
Dried garbanzo beans, also known as chickpeas or gram, are commonly used in African, Middle Eastern, and Indian dishes. Our garbanzo beans are high in protein, have a nutty flavor,...
Cucumber Seeds - Southern Delight - Hybrid
50-60 Days to maturity. Cucumis sativus ‘Southern Delight’. Southern Delight Cross Cucumber Seeds. Warm-season annual hybrid. Non-GMO. This gorgeous hybrid Japanese cucumber has burpless fruit of excellent quality. Its plants...
Lettuce Seeds, Leaf - Red Sails - Organic
Organic Red Sails Leaf Lettuce Seeds. 45 days to maturity. Baby leaf maturity at 21 days. Heirloom, Non-GMO, Annual. Lactuca sativa. Radiant bronze-red leaves form a full rosette delicately ruffled...
Tomato Seeds - Slicing - Pineapple (Organic)
85-90 Days to maturity (from transplant). Solanum lycopersicum. Organic Pineapple Tomato Seeds. Non-GMO, warm season annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, indeterminate, slicing tomato. Suitable for growing in garden plots, raised beds, and...
Seed Potatoes - Spring - Russet (Organic)
This item is a pre-order item and is expected to ship in March for spring planting. Other seeds, supplies, or kits ordered with this product may ship separately. This product...
Orach Seeds - Purple
Non-GMO, Heirloom Purple Orach Vegetable Garden Seed from True Leaf Market. Atriplex hortensis. Purple Orach Seeds originated in Europe and Siberia as one of the oldest grown cool season crops"...
Onion Sets - Karmen Red
100 Sets This is a pre-order item and is expected to ship in March to April for spring planting. Other seeds, supplies, or kits ordered with this product may ship...
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