On the lookout for the most up-to-date Strands reply? Click here for our daily Strands hints, in addition to our each day solutions and hints for The New York Occasions Mini Crossword, Wordle, Connections and Connections: Sports activities Version puzzles.
As we speak’s NYT Strands puzzle is a enjoyable twist on yesterday’s. The Could 8 theme was “backyard selection” and that is “backyard varieties.” But the solutions are very completely different. And a number of the solutions are tough to unscramble, so if you happen to want hints and solutions, learn on.
I’m going into depth concerning the rules for Strands in this story.
In case you’re in search of right now’s Wordle, Connections and Mini Crossword solutions, you’ll be able to go to CNET’s NYT puzzle hints page.
Learn extra: NYT Connections Turns 1: These Are the 5 Toughest Puzzles So Far
Trace for right now’s Strands puzzle
As we speak’s Strands theme is: Backyard varieties.
If that does not make it easier to, here is a clue: Watering can.
Clue phrases to unlock in-game hints
Your purpose is to search out hidden phrases that match the puzzle’s theme. In case you’re caught, discover any phrases you’ll be able to. Each time you discover three phrases of 4 letters or extra, Strands will reveal one of many theme phrases. These are the phrases I used to get these hints, however any phrases of 4 or extra letters that you just discover will work:
- CHAR, GASP, GAPS, CHOKE, NOTE, NOTED, SPRING, RING, DISH, TICK, SAGA
Solutions for right now’s Strands puzzle
These are the solutions that tie into the theme. The purpose of the puzzle is to search out all of them, together with the spangram, a theme phrase that reaches from one aspect of the puzzle to the opposite. When you will have all of them (I initially thought there have been all the time eight, however discovered that the quantity can differ), each letter on the board will likely be used. Listed here are the nonspangram solutions:
- ONION, RADISH, LETTUCE, ARTICHOKE, ASPARAGUS
As we speak’s Strands spangram
The finished NYT Strands puzzle for Could 9, 2026.
As we speak’s Strands spangram is SPRINGVEGGIE. To seek out it, begin with the S that is the primary letter of the underside row, and wind proper and up. This puzzle is fairly!
Hardest Strands puzzles
Listed here are a number of the Strands matters I’ve discovered to be the hardest.
#1: Dated slang. Possibly you did not even use this lingo when it was cool. Hardest phrase: PHAT.
#2: Thar she blows! I assume marine biologists would possibly ace this one. Hardest phrase: BALEEN or RIGHT.
#3: Off the hook. Once more, it helps to know quite a bit about sea creatures. Sorry, Charlie. Hardest phrase: BIGEYE or SKIPJACK.

