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]()
Cucumber Seeds - Muncher
65-70 days. Muncher Cucumber Seeds. Cucumis sativus. Non-GMO. Heirloom. One of the most reliably productive and tolerant grows on the farm or in the home garden, Muncher cucumber has become...
Mustard - Southern Giant Curled - Microgreens Seeds
7-10 days. Southern Giant Mustard microgreens are another oriental mustard with a stronger mustard bite that other oriental mustards. Makes a great choice for sandwiches or garnishes. Select a Different...
Moringa Seeds
160-170 Days to maturity. Moringa oleifera. Moringa Seeds. Non-GMO, Perennial, Deciduous Softwood Tree. Moringa is also known as the Drumstick Tree, Horseradish Tree, and Ben Oil Tree. It is enjoyed...
Corn Seeds - Sweet - Ambrosia F1 Hybrid
80-90 Days to maturity. Zea mays. Ambrosia F1 Hybrid Corn Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, hybrid, Sweet Corn. Suitable for growing in garden plots or raised beds. Corn tolerates heat and drought-prone...
Squash Seeds - Winter - Waltham Butternut (Organic)
110 days to maturity. Cucurbita moschata. Organic Waltham Butternut Winter Squash Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, heirloom, open-pollinated, AAS winner. Suitable for growing in fields, garden plots, raised beds, and containers. The...
Radish Seeds - Cherry Belle (Organic)
Organic Cherry Belle is a Non- Gmo heirloom variety ready in 23 days. All-American Selection (AAS) winning radish variety that produces bright red globe-shaped fruit. The flesh or cherry belle...
Sage Seeds - Broad Leaved (Organic)
Salvia officinalis. Certified Organic. Perennial. 75 days. Non-GMO, Heirloom, Open Pollinated Organic Broad Leaved Sage Herb Garden Seed from True Leaf Market. Salvia officinalis. Sage plants are warm evergreens that...
Broccoli Sprouting Kit
Our Handy Pantry sprouting kit includes one Trellis + Co. stainless steel sprouting lid, 4 oz bag of non-GMO Organic broccoli sprouting seeds, one stainless steel sprouting stand, and additional...
Thyme Seeds - Common
2nd year maturity. Common Thyme Culinary Herb Seeds. Thymus vulgaris. Non-GMO. Popularly known as English thyme to differentiate between the many varieties, Common thyme seeds are one of the hardiest,...
Kale Seeds - Red Russian
50-60 days. Red Russian Kale Seeds. Brassica napus var. pabularia. Non-GMO. Heirloom. A popular and tenacious red variation to the ever-popular Russian kale, Red Russian grows a lighter, but still...
Crimson Clover - Organic - Cover Crop Seeds
70-90 Days. Trifolium incarnatum. Organic. Cover Crop. Non-GMO. Heirloom Organic crimson clover seeds are an ideal annual garden companion and cover crop for plants and soils deficient in nitrogen. Use...
Sunflower - Black Oil (Organic) - Microgreens Seeds
Organic Black Oil Sunflower Seeds. Shell On (Whole), Non-GMO. Open Pollinated. Helianathus Annus. 8-12 Days for mature, delicious microgreens. Sunflower microgreens are one of the easiest and most popular microgreens...
Sprout Garden - 3 Tray Stackable Seed Sprouter
Hands down our favorite and most popular sprouter. Stackable tray sprouting system grows variable quantities and several crops at once. Simple, BPA free, dishwasher safe, and made in the USA....
Pepper Seeds - Sweet - Emerald Giant
77 Days to maturity (from transplant). Capsicum annuum. Emerald Giant Pepper Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, high-yielding, drought tolerant, sweet pepper with no heat. 0 Scoville Heat Units. Resistant to...
Echinacea - Purple Coneflower Seeds
2nd Year maturity. Echinacea purpurea. Purple Coneflower Seeds. Non-GMO, Heirloom, Perennial. Echinacea grows as a warm-season perennial and flowering herb native to Eastern North America. These wildflowers are popular, as...
Dill Seeds - Bouquet
65 Days to maturity. Anethum graveolens. Bouquet Dill Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom. Suitable for growing in fields, containers, garden plots, and raised beds. 3-foot plant with strongly aromatic foliage,...
Squash Seeds - Winter - Vegetable Spaghetti (Organic)
80-100 days. Organic Vegetable Spaghetti Winter Squash Seeds. Cucurbita pepo. Non-GMO. Open Pollinated. Grow your own pasta replacement with Organic Vegetable Spaghetti Winter squash seeds. This spaghetti squash is ready...
Lettuce Seeds - Leaf - Black Seeded Simpson
These non-GMO Black Seeded Simpson seeds grow into vibrant, green leaves of lettuce that are ready to harvest in just 40 to 49 days. The Black Seeded Simpson lettuce can...
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...
Carrot Seeds - Danvers 126 (Organic)
65-70 days. Organic 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...
Basil Seeds - Genovese (Organic)
60-90 days to maturity. Ocimum basilicum. Organic Genovese Basil Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, organic, open-pollinated, heirloom. Suitable for growing in fields, containers, garden plots, raised beds, and greenhouses. Vigorous, tall-growing, large-leaved...
Geranium Seeds - Pinto Premium Series
91-105 days maturity. Pelargonium x hortorum . Geranium Pinto Premium Series Seeds. Non-GMO, Annual. Ornamental. Pinto Premium Series geranium seeds promise some of the most classic yet eye-catching blooms available...
Peppermint Seeds (Organic)
Perennial herb garden seeds. Certified Organic by Oregon Tilth. Non-GMO, Heirloom Peppermint Herb Garden Seed from True Leaf Market. Mentha sp. Peppermint plants are cool perennial and hybrid mints native...
Barley - Whole (Organic) - Grass Seeds
Barley grass sprouting seed, with the hull on (whole barley). Great germination rate and a great seed for sprouting, growing barleygrass and more. Grows healthy, thick bladed barley grass for...
Wildflower Seeds - Save the Monarchs
Save The Monarchs Seed Collection. Ornamental Flower Seeds. 100,000 seeds of 13 Varieties of Assorted Wildflower Seeds. Heirloom. Non GMO. High Germination. Save the Monarchs Seed Collection is an exclusive...
Cress - Curled - Microgreens Seeds
7 to 14 days. Lepidium sativum. Curled Cress Microgreens have a strong peppery taste that mellows as it grows larger. Grow only small quantities at the microgreens stage. Cress will...
Bean Seeds - Bush - BeSweet Edamame Soybean
75-105 Days to maturity. Glycine max. BeSweet Edamame Bean Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, bush, shell, soybean, high-yielding, Asian bean. Suitable for growing in containers, garden plots, raised beds, and greenhouses....
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