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.

Indoors (fresh harvests):

  • Microgreens: peas, broccoli, sunflowers, arugula
  • Sprouts: alfalfa, broccoli, radish, mung
  • Herbs & greens under lights: chives, parsley, mint

Transplants to move outdoors (harden first): pepper, tomato, eggplant, melons, basil, okra — these should go out early May if not already in the ground

Crops that can be directly sown outdoors in May: beans, corn, cucumber, squash, melons, okra, sunflower, basil, dill, sweet potato slips. Succession sow beets, carrots, and radishes early in the month before heat sets in.

Cover crops: buckwheat, cowpeas, sorghum-sudangrass

Note: Warm-season crops should be going directly outdoors now, not starting under lights.

Tip: An Olympia, WA zone 8 is very different from a Jackson, MS zone 8. Consider checking with your state Extension Service office for more specific recommendations and guidelines.

Use your USDA zone as a guide. Microclimates matter — coastal/urban spots run warmer; high elevation runs colder.

50 100 true //store.trueleafmarket.com/cdn/shop/t/54/assets/review-fallback.json?v=33078429469613971781712858278
Legend: H for Heirloom, O for Organic, A for AAS Winner, F for staff favorites
2352 Items
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Turnip Seeds - White Globe Roundsmall size packet type seed packaging for - Turnip White Globe Round
-0
Heirloom
Turnip Seeds - White Globe Round
Starting at $2.99
Squash Seeds - Japanese, Winter - Kogikumid size pouch type seed packaging for - Squash Japanese Winter Kogiku
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Heirloom
Squash Seeds - Japanese, Winter - Kogiku
Starting at $3.99
Pepper Seeds - Sweet - Sauvignon Blanc Hybridmid size pouch type seed packaging for - Pepper Sweet Sauvignon Blanc Hybrid
-0
Pepper Seeds - Sweet - Sauvignon Blanc Hybrid
Starting at $4.39
Pepper Seeds - Hot - Habanero Chocolatesmall size packet type seed packaging for - Pepper Hot Habanero Chocolate
-0
Heirloom
Pepper Seeds - Hot - Habanero Chocolate
Starting at $4.79
Radish Seeds - Chinese - Shunkyomid size pouch type seed packaging for - Radish Chinese Shunkyo
-0
Heirloom
Radish Seeds - Chinese - Shunkyo
Starting at $3.99
Watermelon Seeds - Picnic - Legacymid size pouch type seed packaging for - Watermelon Picnic Legacy
-0
Heirloom
Watermelon Seeds - Picnic - Legacy
Starting at $3.59
Tomato Seeds - Slicing - Boxcar Williesmall size packet type seed packaging for - Tomato Slicing Boxcar Willie
-0
Heirloom
Tomato Seeds - Slicing - Boxcar Willie
Starting at $2.99
Tomato Seeds - Cherry - Sugar Fairy Hybridmid size pouch type seed packaging for - Tomato Cherry Sugar Fairy Hybrid
-0
Tomato Seeds - Cherry - Sugar Fairy Hybrid
Starting at $5.39
Tomato Seeds - Cherry - Matt's Wild Cherrymid size pouch type seed packaging for - Zinnia Magellan Series Orange
-0
Heirloom
Tomato Seeds - Cherry - Matt's Wild Cherry
Starting at $3.09
Mustard Seeds - Early Mibunamid size pouch type seed packaging for - Mustard Early Mibuna
-0
Heirloom
Mustard Seeds - Early Mibuna
Starting at $3.99
Melon Seeds - Cantaloupe - Edisto 47 (Organic)small size packet type seed packaging for - Melon Cantaloupe Edisto 47 Organic
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Heirloom
Organic
Melon Seeds - Cantaloupe - Edisto 47 (Organic)
Starting at $3.59
Eggplant Seeds - Snowy - Organicmid size pouch type seed packaging for - Eggplant Snowy Organic
-0
Heirloom
Organic
Eggplant Seeds - Snowy - Organic
Starting at $4.99
Tomato Seeds - Slicing - Moskvichmid size pouch type seed packaging for - Tomato Slicing Moskvich
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Heirloom
Tomato Seeds - Slicing - Moskvich
Starting at $2.99
Squash Seeds - Summer - Clarinette F1small size packet type seed packaging for - Squash Summer Clarinette F1
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Squash Seeds - Summer - Clarinette F1
Starting at $4.29
Radish Seeds - Korean - Big Time Hybrid (Treated)mid size pouch type seed packaging for - Radish Korean Big Time Hybrid Treated
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Radish Seeds - Korean - Big Time Hybrid (Treated)
Starting at $3.99
Squash Seeds - Winter - Cushaw Whitesmall size packet type seed packaging for - Squash Winter Cushaw White
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Heirloom
Squash Seeds - Winter - Cushaw White
Starting at $3.59
Squash Seeds - Winter - Burgess Buttercup Bushsmall size packet type seed packaging for - Squash Winter Burgess Buttercup Bush
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Squash Seeds - Winter - Burgess Buttercup Bush
Starting at $3.59
Carrot Seeds - Culinary Blendsmall size packet type seed packaging for - Carrot Culinary Blend
-0
Carrot Seeds - Culinary Blend
Starting at $3.69
Tomato Seeds - Slicing - Orange Queensmall size packet type seed packaging for - Tomato Slicing Orange Queen
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Heirloom
Tomato Seeds - Slicing - Orange Queen
Starting at $2.99
Gourd Seeds - Haa Sing - Hybridmid size pouch type seed packaging for - Gourd Haa Sing Hybrid
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Gourd Seeds - Haa Sing - Hybrid
Starting at $3.99
Bean Seeds - Bush - Shinonome Soybeanmid size pouch type seed packaging for - Bean Bush Shinonome Soybean
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Heirloom
Bean Seeds - Bush - Shinonome Soybean
Starting at $3.99
Swiss Chard Seeds - Large White Ribbedsmall size packet type seed packaging for - Swiss Chard Large White Ribbed
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Heirloom
Swiss Chard Seeds - Large White Ribbed
Starting at $2.99
Tomato Seeds - Slicing - Brandymaster Pink Hybridsmall size packet type seed packaging for - Tomato Slicing Brandymaster Pink Hybrid
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Tomato Seeds - Slicing - Brandymaster Pink Hybrid
Starting at $3.99
Beet Seeds - Lutz Green Leaf - Organicsmall size packet type seed packaging for - Beet Lutz Green Leaf Organic
-0
Heirloom
Organic
Beet Seeds - Lutz Green Leaf - Organic
Starting at $3.59
Tomato Seeds - Salad - Stupice (Organic)mid size pouch type seed packaging for - Tomato Salad Stupice Organic
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Heirloom
Organic
Tomato Seeds - Salad - Stupice (Organic)
Starting at $3.59
Lettuce Seeds - Leaf - Sandy AASsmall size packet type seed packaging for - Lettuce Leaf Sandy AAS
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AAS Winner
Lettuce Seeds - Leaf - Sandy AAS
Starting at $2.99
Squash Seeds - Summer - Moonbeam F1small size packet type seed packaging for - Squash Summer Moonbeam F1
-0
Squash Seeds - Summer - Moonbeam F1
Starting at $4.29
Kohlrabi Seeds - Early White Vienna - Organic
Starting at $3.59
Pepper Seeds - Hot - Holy Mole Hybrid
Starting at $4.29
Melon Seeds - Japanese - New Melon
Starting at $3.99
Bean Seeds - Bush - Mardi Gras Mix (Organic)
Starting at $3.69
Mixed Greens - Braising Mix (Organic)
Starting at $3.59
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