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]()
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...
Okra Seeds - Red Burgundy
Abelmoschus esculentus (80 days) Developed at Clemson University by Leon Robbins. Wow, magenta stems hold emerald green leaves that are the backdrop for intense purple pods, born from canary yellow...
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 -...
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...
Tobacco Seeds - Cigar Collection
The Cigar Seed Collection boasts a diverse assortment of three of the most popular tobacco varieties native to both the Caribbean and the famous Connecticut River Valley. Cuban Criollo 98...
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...
Mustard - Mizuna - Microgreens Seeds
Up to 12 days. Mizuna is a fast, easy grower that makes a great choice as a secondary green in any salad. It has a very mild mustard / spice...
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...
Celeriac Seeds - Giant Prague
110-120 Days to maturity. Apium graveolens. Giant Prague Celeriac Seeds. Non-GMO, Biennial, open-pollinated, heirloom. AKA ‘Large Smooth Prague’ Celeriac. Hardier and more disease resistant than traditional celery. Giant Prague Celeriac...
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,...
Purslane Seeds - Golden
35 days. Purslane Golden is one terrific green! Super healthy, it is loaded with Omega 3- more than any other leafy vegetable, more than many fish oil, and has a...
Echinacea Seeds - Magnus
70-84 days maturity. Echinacea purpurea. Echinacea Magnus Seeds. Non-GMO, Heirloom, Perennial. Magnus echinacea seeds grow one of the summer's most celebrated and resilient blooms. These sturdy stems and flat petals...
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....
Sprouting Kit - Fully Raw's 12 Best Sprouts
Fully Raw’s 12 Best Organic Sprouts Collection offers 12 delicious, nutritious, easy, and colorful organic sprouting seeds that you can use for any healthy meal. This selection is perfect for...
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...
Wildflower Seeds - Low Growing Mix
Annual and perennial mix. Low Growing Mix wildflower seeds grow a classic, vibrant yet modest spin on traditional wildflower mixes. Low Growing Mix seeds are a unique blend of small...
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....
Dill Seeds - Mammoth (Organic)
55-75 Days to maturity. Anethum graveolens. Organic Mammoth Dill Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, organic, open-pollinated, heirloom. Suitable for growing in fields, containers, garden plots, and raised beds. Mammoth Dill offers garden-fresh,...
Seed Assortment - Culinary Herb
Grow your own fresh cooking herbs indoors year round. Add zest and flavor to your cooking, and enjoy the fun and benefits of indoor gardening. Nothing improves your cooking like...
Tomato Seeds - Slicing - Delicious
77 Days to maturity (from transplant). Solanum lycopersicum. Delicious Tomato Seeds. Non-GMO, warm season annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, indeterminate, slicing tomato. Suitable for growing in garden plots, raised beds, and greenhouses....
Delphinium Seeds - Magic Fountains Series
2nd-year maturity. Delphinium elatum. Delphinium Magic Fountains Series Seeds. Non-GMO, Perennial. Magic Fountains Series delphinium seeds promise some of the most stunning, bold, and vivid blooms available in any garden....
Bean Seeds - Pole - Red Noodle Yard Long
50-75 Days to maturity. Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis. Red Noodle Yard Long Bean Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, heat-tolerant, pole, snap, Asian, specialty bean. Suitable for growing in containers, garden...
Watermelon Seeds - Picnic - Striped Klondike Blue Ribbon
77-80 Days to maturity. Citrullus lanatus. Striped Klondike Blue Ribbon Watermelon Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, heat tolerant, seeded, picnic watermelon. Suitable for growing in garden plots. First bred in...
Artichoke Seeds - Imperial Star
150-160 days from sowing. Cynara scolymus. Imperial Star Artichoke Seeds. Non-GMO, perennial. This is suitable for garden plots, raised beds, and fields. UC-bred, nearly spineless plants for first-year harvests—uniform, high-yielding...
Compact Emergency Bug Out Bag - 19 Pack
Non-GMO Bug Out Bag Survival Garden Vegetable & Herb Seeds. Compact Collection of 19 Heirloom Seed Varieties for Emergency Seed Vault. A compact and more economical version of the full...
Viola Seeds - Johnny Jump Up
65-80 Days to maturity. Viola tricolor. Johnny Jump Up Viola Seeds. Non-GMO, open-pollinated, Premium Quality Seeds, perennial. Johnny Jump Up viola seeds are a vibrant and compact addition to your...
Pepper Seeds - Hot - Thai Hot
80-89 Days to maturity (from transplant). Capsicum annuum. Thai Hot Pepper Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, deer resistant, high-yielding, hot pepper with hot heat levels. 50,000 to 100,000 Scoville Heat...
Bachelors Buttons Seeds - Mixed Colors
77-91 days. Bachelor's Buttons Flower Seeds. AKA: Cornflower. Annual. Mixed Colors Bachelor's Buttons flower seeds are a convenient and easy summertime grow perfect for kids, indoors, or wild unkept spaces....
Kale Seeds - Red Russian (Organic)
50 days. Brassica napus var. pabularia. Organic Red Russian Kale Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, organic, heirloom, open-pollinated. This is suitable for containers, garden plots, raised beds, and fields. Classic “Ragged Jack/Buda”...
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...
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