What to Sow in May
May is when the tender things finally come out from under cover, once the frosts have genuinely finished rather than probably finished. It is also the last comfortable month to start most annuals from seed and still get a full season out of them.
May is when the tender things finally come out from under cover, once the frosts have genuinely finished rather than probably finished. It is also the last comfortable month to start most annuals from seed and still get a full season out of them.
125 seeds to sow in May
Sweet Pea 'Little Sweetheart' Seeds
Lathyrus odoratus
SowOctober–May
Soak overnight, then one seed to a deep pot or root trainer — the roots go a long way down before the top does anything at all. Overwintered cold and bright, it makes a sturdier plant than a spring sowing ever manages.
- Annual
- Germination 10–21 days
- 20 seeds
Sweet Pea 'Matucana' Seeds
Lathyrus odoratus
SowOctober–May
The scent is the reason to grow this one, and an autumn sowing brings it forward by weeks. Soak overnight, sow singly, and keep it cool and bright over winter.
- Annual
- Germination 10–21 days
- 20 seeds
Sweet Pea 'Prince of Orange' Seeds
Lathyrus odoratus
SowOctober–May
Soak overnight and sow one seed to a deep pot. Kept cool through the winter it roots hard and climbs away in spring, rather than sitting still for a month first.
- Annual
- Germination 10–21 days
- 20 seeds
Sweet Pea 'Royal Family' Seeds
Lathyrus Odoratus 'Royal Family'
SowOctober–May
Deep pots, kept cool and bright rather than warm; heat is what makes them leggy. Pinch the tips out at 8–10cm and you get a bushier plant with far more stems worth cutting.
- Annual
- Germination 10–21 days
- 20 seeds
Agastache 'Astello Indigo' Seeds
Agastache Hybrida ‘Astello Indigo’
SowFebruary–May
Sow February–May.
- Perennial
- Germination 10–21 days
- 10 seeds
Alchemilla Mollis Seeds
Alchemilla Mollis
SowJanuary–May
Sow January–May.
- Perennial
- Germination 7–14 days
- 100 seeds
Amaranth 'Red Army' Seeds
Amaranthus 'Red Army'
SowFebruary–June
Sow February–June.
- Annual
- Germination 7–14 days
- 400 seeds
Amaranthus 'Caudatus Green' Seeds
Amaranthus 'Caudatus Green'
SowFebruary–June
Sow February–June.
- Annual
- Germination 7–14 days
- 400 seeds
Aubergine 'Black Beauty' Seeds
Solanum melongena ‘Black Beauty’
Direct sowMay–June
Sow direct outdoors, May–June.
- Germination 7–14 days at 20-25°C
Balcony Garden Seed Box
SowFebruary–May
Sow February–May.
- Germination Varies by variety, typically 5–21 days
Basil 'Sweet Genovese' Seeds
Ocimum Basilicum 'Genovese'
SowMarch–July
Sow March–July.
- Annual
- Germination 7–14 days at 20–25°C
- 300 seeds
Bells of Ireland Seeds
Moluccella laevis
SowFebruary–May
Sow February–May.
- Annual
- Germination 10–14 days
- 180 seeds
Big Plot Garden Seed Box
SowFebruary–June
Sow February–June.
- Germination 7–21 days depending on seed variety and conditions.
Borage Seeds
Borago Officinalis
SowMarch–June
Sow March–June.
- Annual
- Germination 7–14 days at 15–20°C
- 50 seeds
Calendula 'Pygmy Buff' Seeds
Calendula officinalis
SowMarch–October
Sow March–October.
- Annual
- Germination 7–14 days
- 50 seeds
Calendula 'Snow Princess' Seeds
Calendula officinalis
SowMarch–October
Sow March–October.
- Annual
- Germination 7–14 days
- 50 seeds
Carrot 'Paris Market Atlas' Seeds
Daucus Carota Paris Market
SowApril–October
Sow April–October.
- Annual
- Germination 10–14 days in moist soil
- 300 seeds
Chives Seeds
Allium Schoenoprasum
SowFebruary–October
Sow February–October.
- Perennial
- Germination 14–21 days
- 200 seeds
Cobaea Scandens 'Alba' Seeds
Cobaea Scandens 'Alba'
SowJanuary–May
Sow January–May.
- Tender perennial
- Germination 7–14 days
- 5 seeds
Cocktail Herbs Seed Set
SowFebruary–June
Sow February–June.
- Germination Varies by variety, typically 5–21 days
Common Spearmint Seeds
Mentha spicata
SowFebruary–June
Sow February–June.
- Perennial
- Germination 10–21 days
- 700 seeds
Coriander Seeds
Coriandrum sativum
SowFebruary–September
Sow February–September.
- Annual
- Germination 7–14 days
- 150 seeds
Cosmos 'Apricotta' Seeds
Cosmos bipinnatus 'Apricotta'
SowMarch–June
Sow March–June.
- Annual
- Germination 7–14 days
- 40 seeds
Cosmos 'Apricotta' Seeds
Cosmos bipinnatus 'Apricotta'
Direct sowApril–June
Sow direct outdoors, April–June.
- Annual
- Germination 7–14 days
- 40 seeds
Cosmos 'Fizzy Pink' Seeds
Cosmos bipinnatus 'fizzy pink’
SowMarch–June
Sow March–June.
- Annual
- Germination 7–14 days
- 40 seeds
Cosmos 'Fizzy Pink' Seeds
Cosmos bipinnatus 'fizzy pink’
Direct sowApril–June
Sow direct outdoors, April–June.
- Annual
- Germination 7–14 days
- 40 seeds
Cosmos 'Purity White' Seeds
Cosmos bipinnatus ‘purity’
SowMarch–June
Sow March–June.
- Annual
- Germination 7–14 days
- 40 seeds
Cosmos 'Purity White' Seeds
Cosmos bipinnatus ‘purity’
Direct sowApril–June
Sow direct outdoors, April–June.
- Annual
- Germination 7–14 days
- 40 seeds
Cosmos 'Rubenza' Seeds
Cosmos bipinnatus ‘rubenza’
SowMarch–June
Sow March–June.
- Annual
- Germination 7-14 days
- 40 seeds
Cosmos 'Rubenza' Seeds
Cosmos bipinnatus ‘rubenza’
Direct sowApril–June
Sow direct outdoors, April–June.
- Annual
- Germination 7-14 days
- 40 seeds
Cosmos 'Sea Shells Mixed' Seeds
Cosmos bipinnatus 'seashells'
SowMarch–June
Sow March–June.
- Annual
- Germination 7–14 days
- 80 seeds
Cosmos 'Sea Shells Mixed' Seeds
Cosmos bipinnatus 'seashells'
Direct sowApril–June
Sow direct outdoors, April–June.
- Annual
- Germination 7–14 days
- 80 seeds
Cosmos 'Sensation' Seeds
Cosmos bipinnatus ‘sensation’
SowMarch–June
Sow March–June.
- Annual
- Germination 7–14 days
- 80 seeds
Cosmos 'Sensation' Seeds
Cosmos bipinnatus ‘sensation’
Direct sowApril–June
Sow direct outdoors, April–June.
- Annual
- Germination 7–14 days
- 80 seeds
Cottage Garden Seed Box
SowFebruary–May
Sow February–May.
- Germination Varies by variety, typically 5–21 days
Crazy Daisy Seeds
Leucanthemum Chrysanthemum x Superbum ‘Crazy Daisy’
SowFebruary–May
Sow February–May.
- Perennial
- Germination 10–21 days
- 30 seeds
Cucumber 'La Diva' Seeds
Cucumis sativus ‘la diva’
SowMarch–June
Sow March–June.
- Annual
- Germination 3–10 days
- 10 seeds
Cut Flowers Garden Seed Box
SowFebruary–June
Sow February–June.
- Germination Varies by variety, typically 5–21 days
Dahlia 'Pompone Mixed' Seeds
Dahlia variabilis 'Pompone Mixed'
SowFebruary–May
Sow February–May.
- Perennial
- Germination 7–14 days
- 30 seeds
Delphinium 'Guinevere' Seeds
Delphinium Pacific Giants 'Guinevere'
SowMarch–June
Sow March–June.
- Perennial
- Germination 7–14 days
- 30 seeds
Delphinium 'King Arthur' Seeds
Delphinium Pacific Giants 'King Arthur'
SowMarch–June
Sow March–June.
- Perennial
- Germination 7–14 days
- 30 seeds
Dill 'Diana' Seeds
Anethum graveolens 'Diana'
SowFebruary–September
Sow February–September.
- Annual
- Germination 10–21 days
- 800 seeds
Echinacea 'Magnus' seeds
Echinacea purpurea
SowFebruary–May
Sow February–May.
- Perennial
- Germination 10–21 days
- 60 seeds
Echinops 'Veitch's Blue' Seeds
Echinops ritro 'Veitch's Blue'
SowFebruary–May
Sow February–May.
- Perennial
- Germination 7–14 days
- 65 seeds
Edible Flower Seed Set
SowFebruary–May
Sow February–May.
- Germination Varies by variety, typically 5–21 days
Flower Posy Seed Set
SowMarch–May
Sow March–May.
- Annual
- Germination Varies by variety, typically 5–21 days
Foodies Seed Set
SowFebruary–August
Sow February–August.
- Germination Varies by variety, typically 5–21 days
Forget-Me-Not Seeds
Myosotis Sylvatica 'Blue Ball'
SowMarch–May
Sow March–May.
- Biennial
- Germination 7–14 days
- 200 seeds
Foxglove 'Apricot' Seeds
Digitalis purpurea 'Apricot'
SowApril–July
Sow April–July.
- Biennial
- Germination 7–14 days
- 150 seeds
Foxglove 'Dalmation' Seeds
Digitalis purpurea 'Dalmatian Purple'
SowApril–July
Sow April–July.
- Biennial
- Germination 7–14 days
- 10 seeds
Gaura Seeds
Gaura lindheimeri
SowFebruary–July
Sow February–July.
- Perennial
- Germination 7–14 days
- 25 seeds
Giant Sunflower Seeds
Helianthus Annuus 'Giant Single'
SowMarch–June
Sow March–June.
- Annual
- Germination 7–14 days
- 20 seeds
Heirloom Seed Set
SowJanuary–October
Sow January–October.
- Annual
- Germination Varies by variety, typically 5–21 days
Heirloom Seed Set
Direct sowMay–June
Sow direct outdoors, May–June.
- Annual
- Germination Varies by variety, typically 5–21 days
Herbal Teas Seed Set
SowFebruary–October
Sow February–October.
- Perennial
- Germination Varies by variety, typically 5–21 days
Hero Herbs Seed Set
SowFebruary–October
Sow February–October.
- Germination Varies by variety, typically 5–21 days
Hollyhock 'Nigra' Seeds
Alcea rosea 'nigra'
SowFebruary–June
Sow February–June.
- Biennial
- Germination 7–14 days
- 30 seeds
Kale 'Green Curled Dwarf' Seeds
Brassica oleracea
SowJanuary–August
Sow January–August.
- Annual
- Germination 5–10 days
- 350 seeds
Kitchen Garden Seed Box
SowMarch–September
Sow March–September.
- Germination Varies by variety, typically 5–21 days
Komatsuna Seeds
Brassica rapa var. perviridis
SowJanuary–October
Sow January–October.
- Biennial
- Germination 5–10 days
- 300 seeds
Lavender 'Munstead Dwarf' Seeds
Lavandula Angustifolia 'Munstead Dwarf'
SowFebruary–May
Sow February–May.
- Perennial
- Germination 14–28 days
- 100 seeds
Lemon Balm Seeds
Melissa officinalis
SowFebruary–September
Sow February–September.
- Perennial
- Germination 7–14 days
- 500 seeds
Lettuce 'Lollo Bionda' Seeds
Lactuca sativa 'Lollo Bionda'
SowMarch–August
Sow March–August.
- Annual
- Germination 5–10 days
- 600 seeds
Love Seed Set
SowFebruary–May
Sow February–May.
- Annual
- Germination Varies by variety, typically 5–21 days
Lupin 'Noble Maiden' Seeds
Lupinus x Russellii 'Noble Maiden'
SowFebruary–June
Sow February–June.
- Perennial
- Germination 7–14 days
- 30 seeds
Micro Green Seed Set
SowJanuary–December
Sow January–December.
- Annual
- Germination Varies by variety, typically 5–21 days
Mindful Seed Set
SowFebruary–June
Sow February–June.
- Perennial
- Germination Varies by variety, typically 5–21 days
Mizuna 'Kyoto' Seeds
Brassica rapa var. nipposinica
Direct sowApril–June
Sow direct outdoors, April–June.
- Germination 5–10 days
- 300 seeds
Nasturtium 'Gleam Fields' Seeds
Tropaeolum majus 'Gleam Fields'
SowFebruary–May
Sow February–May.
- Annual
- Germination 7–14 days
- 20 seeds
Nasturtium 'Gleam Fields' Seeds
Tropaeolum majus 'Gleam Fields'
Direct sowApril–June
Sow direct outdoors, April–June.
- Annual
- Germination 7–14 days
- 20 seeds
Nasturtium 'Tom Thumb Alaska' Seeds
Tropaeolum majus Alaska Series
SowFebruary–May
Sow February–May.
- Annual
- Germination 7–14 days
- 20 seeds
Native Seed Set
SowMarch–November
Sow March–November.
- Perennial and Annual
- Germination Varies by variety, typically 5–21 days
Nicotiana 'Lime Green' Seeds
Nicotiana alata 'Lime Green'
SowMarch–June
Sow March–June.
- Annual
- Germination 7–14 days
- 1600 seeds
Nigella 'Miss Jekyll' Seeds
Nigella Damascena
SowMarch–June
Sow March–June.
- Annual
- Germination 7–14 days
- 200 seeds
Nigella 'Persian Jewels' Seeds
Nigella Damascena
SowMarch–June
Sow March–June.
- Annual
- Germination 7–14 days
- 300 seeds
Oregano 'Greek' Seeds
Origanum Vulgare Subsp. Hirtum ‘Greek'
SowFebruary–June
Sow February–June.
- Perennial
- Germination 7–14 days
- 500 seeds
Pak Choi 'Dwarf Canton White' Seeds
Brassica rapa (Chinensis Group) 'Canton Dwarf'
SowMarch–July
Sow March–July.
- Annual
- Germination 5–10 days
- 150 seeds
Parsley 'Italian Giant' Seeds
Petroselinum crispum var. neapolitanum
SowJanuary–December
Sow January–December.
- Biennial
- Germination 14–28 days
- 175 seeds
Parsley Seeds
Petroselinum crispum
SowJanuary–December
Sow January–December.
- Biennial
- Germination 14–28 days
- 400 seeds
Peppermint Seeds
Mentha Piperita
SowFebruary–June
Sow February–June.
- Perennial
- Germination 10–21 days
- 500 seeds
Phlox 'Blushing Bride' Seeds
Phlox Drummondii Grandiflora Blushing Bride
SowFebruary–May
Sow February–May.
- Annual
- Germination 7–14 days
- 20 seeds
Pollinator Seed Set
SowFebruary–June
Sow February–June.
- Germination Varies by variety, typically 5–21 days
Poppy 'Black Peony' Seeds
Papaver somniferum paeoniflorum
SowMarch–May
Sow March–May.
- Annual
- Germination 7–14 days
- 500 seeds
Poppy 'Falling in Love' Seeds
Papaver rhoeas ‘Falling in Love’
SowMarch–May
Sow March–May.
- Annual
- Germination 7–14 days
- 200 seeds
Poppy 'Mother of Pearl' Seeds
Papaver Rhoeas ‘Mother of Pearl’
SowMarch–May
Sow March–May.
- Annual
- Germination 7–14 days
- 500 seeds
Poppy 'Shirley Double' Seeds
Papaver Rhoeas ‘Shirley Double’
SowMarch–May
Sow March–May.
- Annual
- Germination 7–14 days
- 2500 seeds
Poppy Pandora Seeds
Papaver Rhoeas ‘Pandora’
SowMarch–May
Sow March–May.
- Annual
- Germination 7–14 days
- 600 seeds
Pressed Flower Seed Set
SowFebruary–June
Sow February–June.
- Germination Varies by variety, typically 5–21 days
Pressed Flower Seed Set
Direct sowApril–June
Sow direct outdoors, April–June.
- Germination Varies by variety, typically 5–21 days
Radish 'French Breakfast' Seeds
Raphanus sativus 'french breakfast 3'
SowMarch–September
Sow March–September.
- Annual
- Germination 4–10 days
- 300 seeds
Ragged Robin Seeds
Lychnis flos-cuculi
SowFebruary–July
Sow February–July.
- Perennial
- Germination 7–14 days
- 300 seeds
Red Shiso Seeds
Perilla frutescens var. crispa
SowMarch–September
Sow March–September.
- Annual
- Germination 7–14 days
- 300 seeds
Rewild Garden Seed Box
SowMarch–June
Sow March–June.
- Germination Varies by variety, typically 5–21 days
Rocket Wild Wasabi Seeds
Diplotaxis erucoides 'Wasabi'
SowMarch–September
Sow March–September.
- Annual
- Germination 4–10 days
- 500 seeds
Roman Chamomile Seeds
Chamaemelum Nobile
SowMarch–May
Sow March–May.
- Perennial
- Germination 7–14 days
- 750 seeds
Rosemary Seeds
Rosmarinus officinalis
SowFebruary–May
Sow February–May.
- Perennial
- Germination 14–28 days
- 50 seeds
Rudbeckia 'Goldsturm' Seeds
Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii ‘Goldsturm’
SowFebruary–June
Sow February–June.
- Perennial
- Germination 7–14 days
- 200 seeds
Rudbeckia 'Sahara' Seeds
Rudbeckia hirta ‘Sahara’
SowFebruary–June
Sow February–June.
- Annual
- Germination 7–14 days
- 20 seeds
Salad Seed Set
SowJanuary–October
Sow January–October.
- Annual
- Germination Varies by variety, typically 5–21 days
Salad Seed Set
Direct sowApril–June
Sow direct outdoors, April–June.
- Annual
- Germination Varies by variety, typically 5–21 days
Shade Garden Seed Box
SowJanuary–December
Sow January–December.
- Germination Varies by variety, typically 5–21 days
Strawflower 'Giants Mixed' Seeds
Xerochrysum bracteatum
SowMarch–June
Sow March–June.
- Annual
- Germination 7–14 days
- 250 seeds
Sunflower 'Claret' Seeds
Helianthus annuus 'Claret'
SowMarch–June
Sow March–June.
- Annual
- Germination 7–14 days
- 20 seeds
Sunflower 'Ms Mars' Seeds
Helianthus annuus 'Ms Mars'
SowMarch–June
Sow March–June.
- Annual
- Germination 7–14 days
- 20 seeds
Sweet Pea 'Royal Family' Seeds
Lathyrus Odoratus 'Royal Family'
Direct sowMarch–May
Sow direct outdoors, March–May.
- Annual
- Germination 10–21 days
- 20 seeds
Teddy Bear Sunflower Seeds
Helianthus annuus 'Teddy Bear'
SowMarch–June
Sow March–June.
- Annual
- Germination 7–14 days
- 40 seeds
Tithonia 'Red Torch' Seeds
Tithonia rotundifolia 'Torch'
SowMarch–June
Sow March–June.
- Annual
- Germination 7–14 days
Tomato 'Golden Sunrise' Seeds
Solanum lycopersicum 'Golden Sunrise'
SowMay–June
Sow May–June.
- Annual
- Germination 5–10 days
- 20 seeds
Tomato 'Marmande' Seeds
Solanum lycopersicum 'Marmande'
SowFebruary–May
Sow February–May.
- Annual
- Germination 5–10 days
- 30 seeds
Veg Patch Seed Set
SowFebruary–May
Sow February–May.
- Annual
- Germination Varies by variety, typically 5–21 days
Verbena Bonariensis Seeds
Verbena Bonariensis
SowFebruary–June
Sow February–June.
- Perennial
- Germination 7–14 days
- 200 seeds
Wellness Garden Seed Box
SowFebruary–May
Sow February–May.
- Germination Varies by variety, typically 5–21 days
White Blooms Seed Set
SowMarch–June
Sow March–June.
- Annual and Perennial
- Germination Varies by variety, typically 5–21 days
Wild Meadow Seed Set
Agrimony, Hemp (Eupatorium cannabinum), Bird's Foot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus), Borage (Borago officinalis), Clover, Red (Trifolium pratense), Clover, White (Trifolium repens), Cornflower (Centaurea cyanus), Dwarf Sunflower (Helianthus gracilentus), Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea), Goatsbeard (Aruncus dioicus), Knapweed, Common (Centaurea nigra), Knapweed, Greater (Centaurea scabiosa), Marjoram (Origanum vulgare), Meadow Cranesbil (Geranium pratense), Musk Mallow (Malva moschata), Oxeye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare), Poppy, Field (Papaver rhoes), Purple Loosetrife (Lythrum salicaria), Ragged Robin (Lychnis flos-cuculi), Sainfoin (Onobrychis viccifolia), Scabious, Field (Knautia arvensis), Scabious, Small (Scabiosa columbaria), Teasel (Dipsacus fullonum), Vetch, Kidney (Anthyllis vulneraria), Viper's Bugloss (Echium vulgare), Wild Clary (Salvia verbenaca), Yarrow (Achillea millefolium).
SowMarch–June
Sow March–June.
- Germination Varies by variety, typically 5–21 days
Wildflower Seeds
Agrimony, Hemp (Eupatorium cannabinum), Bird's Foot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus), Borage (Borago officinalis), Clover, Red (Trifolium pratense), Clover, White (Trifolium repens), Cornflower (Centaurea cyanus), Dwarf Sunflower (Helianthus gracilentus), Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea), Goatsbeard (Aruncus dioicus), Knapweed, Common (Centaurea nigra), Knapweed, Greater (Centaurea scabiosa), Marjoram (Origanum vulgare), Meadow Cranesbil (Geranium pratense), Musk Mallow (Malva moschata), Oxeye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare), Poppy, Field (Papaver rhoes), Purple Loosetrife (Lythrum salicaria), Ragged Robin (Lychnis flos-cuculi), Sainfoin (Onobrychis viccifolia), Scabious, Field (Knautia arvensis), Scabious, Small (Scabiosa columbaria), Teasel (Dipsacus fullonum), Vetch, Kidney (Anthyllis vulneraria), Viper's Bugloss (Echium vulgare), Wild Clary (Salvia verbenaca), Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
SowMarch–June
Sow March–June.
- Annual and Perennial
- Germination Varies by variety, typically 5–21 days
- 2 gm seeds
Zinnia 'Pop Art White and Red' Seeds
Zinnia elegans ‘Pop Art’
SowFebruary–May
Sow February–May.
- Annual
- Germination 7–14 days
- 30 seeds
Zinnia 'Zinderella Lilac' Seeds
Zinnia elegans 'Zinderella Lilac'
SowFebruary–May
Sow February–May.
- Annual
- Germination 7–14 days
- 30 seeds