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.

Indoors (fresh harvests):

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

Transplants to move outdoors: Most warm-season crops should already be in the ground. If you have heat-tolerant starts on hand, get them out early in the month before conditions get too stressful.

Crops that can be directly sown outdoors in May: okra, sweet potato slips, cowpeas, yard-long beans, Malabar spinach, Armenian cucumber, and other heat-tolerant varieties. Standard cucumbers, squash, and beans can still go in early May in many areas.

Cover crops: cowpeas, sunn hemp, buckwheat, sorghum-sudangrass

Note: Cool-season crops are wrapping up. The focus shifts to heat-tolerant varieties and keeping the soil covered.

Tip: A Southern California zone 10 can be very different from a Florida zone 10. 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
1682 Items
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Shiso Herb (Perilla) - Korean - Microgreens Seeds
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Shiso Herb (Perilla) - Korean - Microgreens Seeds
Starting at $14.34
Gourd Seeds - Monster Mix F1mid size pouch type seed packaging for - Gourd Monster Mix F1
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Gourd Seeds - Monster Mix F1
Starting at $3.99
Chrysanthemum Greens Seeds - Garland Serrated Leafmid size pouch type seed packaging for - Chrysanthemum Greens Garland Serrated Leaf
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Chrysanthemum Greens Seeds - Garland Serrated Leaf
Starting at $3.99
Basil Seeds - Anise
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Basil Seeds - Anise
Starting at $3.99
Celery Seeds - Golden Boysmall size packet type seed packaging for - Celery Golden Boy
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Celery Seeds - Golden Boy
Starting at $3.39
Lovage Seeds - MicrogreensLovage Seeds - Microgreens
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Starting at $5.96
Tobacco Seeds - Japan 8
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Tobacco Seeds - Japan 8
Starting at $3.59
Pak Choi Seeds - Chun Mei Hybridmid size pouch type seed packaging for - Pak Choi Chun Mei Hybrid
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Pak Choi Seeds - Chun Mei Hybrid
Starting at $3.99
Pepper Seeds - Sweet - Cubanella Hybridmid size pouch type seed packaging for - Pepper Sweet Cubanella Hybrid
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Pepper Seeds - Sweet - Cubanella Hybrid
Starting at $4.39
Peppers from Hell Seed StarterPeppers From Hell Seed Starter 6-Pack
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Peppers From Hell Seed Starter 6-Pack
$5.60
Cucumber Seeds - Addissmall size packet type seed packaging for - Cucumber Addis
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Cucumber Seeds - Addis
Starting at $2.99
Alyssum Seeds - White - Organicsmall size packet type seed packaging for - Alyssum White Organic
-0
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Organic
Alyssum Seeds - White - Organic
Starting at $3.59
Mustard Seeds - Greenwave - MicrogreensMustard Seeds - Greenwave - Microgreens
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AAS Winner
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Mustard Seeds - Greenwave - Microgreens
Starting at $6.00
Tobacco Seeds - TN 90 LCsmall size packet type seed packaging for - Tobacco TN 90 LC
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Tobacco Seeds - TN 90 LC
Starting at $3.59
Chinese Cabbage Seeds - Osaka Shironamid size pouch type seed packaging for - Chinese Cabbage Osaka Shirona
-50%
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Chinese Cabbage Seeds - Osaka Shirona
Starting at $1.99
Cucumber Seeds - Garden Sweet Burpless Hybrid (Organic)small size packet type seed packaging for - Cucumber Garden Sweet Burpless Hybrid Organic
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Cucumber Seeds - Garden Sweet Burpless Hybrid (Organic)
Starting at $5.19
Bean Seeds - Bush - Tohya Soybeanmid size pouch type seed packaging for - Bean Bush Tohya Soybean
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Bean Seeds - Bush - Tohya Soybean
Starting at $3.99
Lettuce Seeds - Romaine - Parris White Cossmall size packet type seed packaging for - Lettuce Romaine Parris White Cos
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Lettuce Seeds - Romaine - Parris White Cos
Starting at $2.99
Chinese Broccoli Seeds - Wan Shenmid size pouch type seed packaging for - Chinese Broccoli Wan Shen
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Starting at $3.99
Gourd Seeds - Buab Khom - Hybridmid size pouch type seed packaging for - Gourd Buab Khom Hybrid
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Gourd Seeds - Buab Khom - Hybrid
Starting at $1.99
Tobacco Seeds - Ohio Dutchsmall size packet type seed packaging for - Tobacco Ohio Dutch
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Tobacco Seeds - Ohio Dutch
Starting at $3.59
Pepper Seeds - Hot - Padronmid size pouch type seed packaging for - Pepper Hot Padron
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Pepper Seeds - Hot - Padron
Starting at $2.99
Pepper Seeds - Hot - NuMex Sandiasmall size packet type seed packaging for - Pepper Hot NuMex Sandia
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Pepper Seeds - Hot - NuMex Sandia
Starting at $2.99
Cardoon Seeds - Ivory Whitesmall size packet type seed packaging for - Cardoon Ivory White
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Cardoon Seeds - Ivory White
Starting at $2.99
Chinese Cabbage Seeds - Yukina Savoymid size pouch type seed packaging for - Chinese Cabbage Yukina Savoy
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Chinese Cabbage Seeds - Yukina Savoy
Starting at $3.99
Sunflower Seeds - Goldie (Organic)mid size pouch type seed packaging for - Sunflower Goldie Organic
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Organic
Sunflower Seeds - Goldie (Organic)
Starting at $3.69
Gourd Seeds - Dipper - Extra Long Handlesmall size packet type seed packaging for - Gourd Dipper Extra Long Handle
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Gourd Seeds - Dipper - Extra Long Handle
Starting at $2.99
Rapeseed - CanolaRapeseed - Canola
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Starting at $2.99
Shiso Herb Seeds (Perilla) - Jeok Ssam Ip
Starting at $3.99
Cauliflower Seeds - Veronica Romanesco Hybrid - Clearance Seeds
Starting at $4.20
Mustard Seeds - Tokyo Bekana - Organic
Starting at $3.99
Nasturtium Seeds - Empress of India (Organic)
Starting at $3.59
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