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
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1650 Items
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Thunbergia Seeds - Alata Mixmid size pouch type seed packaging for - Thunbergia Alata Mix
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Celosia Seeds - Crested - Prestige ScarletCelosia Seeds - Crested - Prestige Scarlet
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Okra Seeds - BlondyOkra Seeds - Blondy
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Celosia Seeds - Plumed - New Look (Pelleted)mid size pouch type seed packaging for - Celosia Plumed New Look Pelleted
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Chrysanthemum Seeds - Snowlandmid size pouch type seed packaging for - Chrysanthemum Snowland
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Dahlberg Daisy Seeds - Golden Fleecemid size pouch type seed packaging for - Dahlberg Daisy Golden Fleece
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Tomato Seeds - Cherry - Gum Drop Brown Hybridmid size pouch type seed packaging for - Tomato Cherry Gum Drop Brown Hybrid
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Tomato Seeds - Cherry - Gum Drop Brown Hybrid
Starting at $1.99
Bean Seeds - Bush - Greencropsmall size packet type seed packaging for - Bean Bush Greencrop
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Tomato Seeds - Slicing - Beefsteak PinkTomato Seeds - Slicing - Beefsteak Pink
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Tomato Seeds - Cherry - Patio Choice Red Hybridmid size pouch type seed packaging for - Tomato Cherry Patio Choice Red Hybrid
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Melon Seeds - Cantaloupe - Hearts of Gold (Organic)small size packet type seed packaging for - Melon Cantaloupe Hearts of Gold Organic
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Tomato Seeds - Slicing - Dakota Sport (Organic)mid size pouch type seed packaging for - Tomato Slicing Dakota Sport Organic
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Pumpkin Seeds - Mammoth Goldmid size pouch type seed packaging for - Pumpkin Mammoth Gold
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Gourd Seeds - Calabash Longmid size pouch type seed packaging for - Gourd Calabash Long
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Starting at $4.59
Melon Seeds - Honeydew - Tam Dewsmall size packet type seed packaging for - Melon Honeydew Tam Dew
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Melon Seeds - Aspire Hybridmid size pouch type seed packaging for - Melon Aspire Hybrid
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Tomato Seeds - Culinary Blendsmall size packet type seed packaging for - Tomato Culinary Blend
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Okra Seeds - Silver Queensmall size packet type seed packaging for - Okra Silver Queen
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Squash Seeds - Summer - Genovese Zucchinismall size packet type seed packaging for - Squash Summer Genovese Zucchini
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Tomato Seeds - Slicing - Dr. Wyche's Yellowsmall size packet type seed packaging for - Tomato Slicing Dr Wyches Yellow
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Tomato Seeds - Cherry - Chelsea OPmid size pouch type seed packaging for - Zinnia Magellan Series Orange
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Pepper Seeds - Sweet - Keystone Resistant Giant (Organic)mid size pouch type seed packaging for - Tomato Slicing Yellow Perfection Organic
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Corn Seeds - Ornamental - Carouselmid size pouch type seed packaging for - Corn Ornamental Carousel
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Tomato Seeds - Slicing - Celebration Hybridmid size pouch type seed packaging for - Tomato Slicing Celebration Hybrid
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Cucumber Seeds - County Fair Improved Hybridsmall size packet type seed packaging for - Cucumber County Fair Improved Hybrid
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Corn Seeds - Dent - Silverminemid size pouch type seed packaging for - Corn Dent Silvermine
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