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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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...
Cilantro Seeds - Slow Bolt
Non-GMO, Heirloom 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 herb dating...
Lavender Seeds - Common English (aka Vera)
2nd Year Maturity. Non-GMO, Heirloom Common English Lavender Herb Garden Seed from True Leaf Market. Also known as Vera Lavender. Lavandula angustifolia. Lavender is a flowering perennial herb, native to...
Lettuce Seeds - Butterhead - Buttercrunch
60-70 days. Buttercrunch Lettuce Seeds. Lactuca sativa. Non-GMO. Open Pollinated. An award-winning and absolutely hardy cultivar of butter head, Buttercrunch is tender, delicious, and looks as good in the garden...
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...
Begonia Seeds - Tuberous - Nonstop Series (Pelleted)
119-133 Days to maturity. Begonia x tuberhybrida. Nonstop Series Tuberous Begonia Seeds. Non-GMO, hybrid, perennial, pelleted. Nonstop Series pelleted seeds promise exotic, easygoing 2-3-inch, mostly double blooms for hot, humid...
Basil Seeds - Thai
60-90 days. Non-GMO, Open-pollinated, Heirloom Thai Basil Herb Seed from True Leaf Market. Ocimum basilicum var. thyrsiflora is native to various Asian regions, such as India and Iran. As basil...
Chives Seeds - Garlic (Organic)
Non-GMO, Heirloom Organic Garlic Chives Herb Garden Seed from True Leaf Market. Allium tuberosum. Chives are native to regions in Asia and Europe. Organic Garlic Chives are also called "Chinese...
Sorrel Seeds - Red Veined
Red Veined Sorrel Seeds. Non-GMO, Heirloom. 55 Days. Perennial. Rumex sanguineus. AKA: Spinach Dock or Narrow-leaved Dock. Tart leaves have lemony taste that some have likend to the flavor of...
Strawberry Seeds - Berries Basket White Hybrid
Berri Basket White Hyrbid strawberries are ready in 85 days. Strawberry variety is well suited for baskets. Hardy to zone 5, the ever-bearing, runnerless, compact and bushy plants bear large,...
Petunia Seeds - Wave Series (pelleted)
98-105 Days to maturity. Petunia x hybrida. Wave Series Petunia Seeds. Non-GMO, hybrid, Premium Quality Seeds, annual. Growing Wave Series seeds this season promises to reinvigorate any stale flower bed,...
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,...
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...
California Poppy Seeds
56-70 Days to maturity. Eschscholzia californica. California Poppy Seeds. Non-GMO, annual. California poppy seeds grow one of the most radiant, iconic, and all-American blooms ever! California poppy seeds promise a...
Sorghum Seeds - Multicolored Broomcorn
105-119 days to maturity. Sorghum bicolor. Multicolored Broomcorn Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, ornamental grain. This crop is suitable for growing in fields, garden plots, and raised beds. Multicolored broomcorn (sometimes...
Grass Mix - Cabin Grass Seed
Cabin Grass Seed Mix - AKA: Green Space Holder, Dryland Turf Mix, Erosion Turf Mix. This Cabin Grass Seed Mix is a blend of two low growing, very deep rooted...
Pepper Seeds - Hot - Cambuchi
80 Days to maturity (from transplant). Capsicum baccatum. Cambuci Pepper Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, hot pepper with medium heat levels. 4000 to 6000 Scoville Heat Units. Suitable for growing...
Basil Seeds - Treviso AAS
90 days. Ocimum basilicum. Basil Treviso AAS. Non-GMO, annual, Italian Genovese-type basil, All-America Selections National Winner. This crop is suitable for garden plots, raised beds, and containers. Treviso is a...
Sunflower Seeds - Balcony Beauty
50 Days to Maturity. Helianthus annuus. Balcony Beauty Sunflower Flower Seeds. Non-GMO, open-pollinated. Annual in zones 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11. Attracts pollinators. Displays...
Basil Seeds - Piedmont AAS
60-75 Days to maturity. Ocimum basilicum. Piedmont Basil Herb Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated herb seeds. Great for growing in containers, indoors, and throughout the vegetable garden or edible landscape. A...
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...
Chives Seeds - Garlic
85-90 Days to maturity. Allium tuberosum. Non-GMO, heirloom Garlic Chives Herb Garden Seed. Chives are native to regions in Asia and Europe. Garlic chive cultivars are also called "Chinese Chives"...
Swiss Chard Seeds - Rainbow Mixture
60 days. The Rainbow Mixture Swiss Chard seed mix is a blend of different colored swiss chard varieties. The chard can grow in zones 6 and up, and the leaves...
Swiss Chard Seeds - Rainbow Mixture (Organic)
60 days. Organic Rainbow Mixture Swiss Chard seeds. Beta vulgaris var. cicla. Non-GMO. Organic Rainbow mixture swiss chard seed is the perfect variety mix for the home gardener who wants...
Parsnip Seeds - Harris Model
100-120 days. Heirloom. Non-GMO. Pastinaca sativa. Harris is THE parsnip that people think of when they think of parsnips. This has been the standard for years and for good reason....
Corn Seeds - Popcorn - Miniature Blue
100-110 Days to maturity. Zea mays ’Miniature Blue’. Miniature Blue Corn Seeds. Non-GMO, heirloom, open-pollinated, annual, Pop Corn. Suitable for growing in garden plots or raised beds. Corn tolerates heat...
Corn Seeds - Serendipity Hybrid - Clearance Seeds
65% Germination - Non-refundable clearance seeds. 82 Days to maturity. Serendipity Hybrid Corn Seeds. This bicolor TripleSweet® corn produces high-quality 8-inch ears with 16 to 18 rows of sugar-enhanced kernels....
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