Issue #797 Sat 9 May
NYT Strands Hints & Answer — May 9, 2026
Five theme words plus a twelve-letter spangram. The grid has a seasonal feeling.
Theme 3 reveals
Today's theme
The farmers' market table in April: damp earth still on the roots, a smell of cold mornings and green shoots.
Produce associated with the early growing season.
SPRING VEGETABLES
Spangram 4 hints · 12 letters
The connector word
Two-word noun phrase; compound descriptor
12 letters.
Starts with S, ends with E.
SPRING VEGGIE
Group hint 1 reveal
Show all starting letters
Starting letters
- 1 A (9 letters)
- 2 A (9 letters)
- 3 L (7 letters)
- 4 O (5 letters)
- 5 R (6 letters)
Group hint 1 reveal
Show the first two letters of each
First two letters
- 1 AR (9 letters)
- 2 AS (9 letters)
- 3 LE (7 letters)
- 4 ON (5 letters)
- 5 RA (6 letters)
Theme word 1 of 5 5 hints · 9 letters
A theme word
A thistle-family plant with edible, layered bracts, often steamed and dipped. Its heart is considered the prize.
9 letters.
Starts with A.
Starts with AR.
ARTICHOKE
Theme word 2 of 5 5 hints · 9 letters
A theme word
A slender green stalk that emerges as the weather warms and disappears quickly. A fleeting seasonal delicacy.
9 letters.
Starts with A.
Starts with AS.
ASPARAGUS
Theme word 3 of 5 5 hints · 7 letters
A theme word
A leafy green used as the base of countless salads. Iceberg is the bland cousin; there are many fancier relations.
7 letters.
Starts with L.
Starts with LE.
LETTUCE
Theme word 4 of 5 5 hints · 5 letters
A theme word
A pungent bulb that forms the aromatic foundation of most savoury cooking worldwide. Comes in layers.
5 letters.
Starts with O.
Starts with ON.
ONION
Theme word 5 of 5 5 hints · 6 letters
A theme word
A small, crisp root vegetable, usually pink or red on the outside, white inside. Often eaten raw with butter and salt.
6 letters.
Starts with R.
Starts with RA.
RADISH
Spoiler zone
Complete Strands answer
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Reveal the spangram
Reveal all theme words
- ARTICHOKE
- ASPARAGUS
- LETTUCE
- ONION
- RADISH
Verified solution for .
Frequently asked questions
Spoiler-free help for Strands on May 9, 2026. Every answer below helps you along without giving the game away — ready to see the full solution? See the complete Strands answer for May 9, 2026, or browse every Strands puzzle in the archive.
How hard is NYT Strands on May 9, 2026?
NYT Strands on May 9, 2026 rates 2 out of 4 — a moderate challenge. There are 5 theme words to find, plus the spangram that ties them together.
Where does the May 9, 2026 Strands spangram start?
The spangram is 12 letters long and stretches right across the board. It begins with the letter "S" — the hints above ease you toward the rest one step at a time, without spelling it out.
What is the theme of NYT Strands on May 9, 2026?
We keep the theme under wraps here so nothing is spoiled — but the ladder above walks you into it, starting with the puzzle's overall vibe. Want it stated outright, with the spangram and all 5 words? Open the answer section on this page.
Today
- Difficulty
- Steady
- At a glance
- 5 theme words · 12-letter spangram
Today on Cluestand
Today
- Difficulty
- Steady
- At a glance
- 5 theme words · 12-letter spangram