May is the month when the gardening season shifts into high gear across most of the country. In cold-winter zones, the last frost is finally behind us, and it's time to get warm-season crops in the ground. In mild-winter zones, the garden is already humming, and the focus turns to keeping up with rapid spring growth. And in the warmest zones, the race is on to get heat-lovers established before summer temperatures take over. Whatever your zone, May is a month of momentum.
Zones 1-7a: May is the main planting kickoff in cold-winter zones, when gardens finally move from starts and prep into full outdoor action. Early May often still favors hardy transplants and direct-sown cool-season crops, while mid-to-late May is when many areas can safely set out warm-season plants as frost risk drops. Keep hardening off seedlings, use row cover if nights run cold, and focus on steady watering and early weed control so young plants establish quickly.
Zones 7b-9a: 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.
Zones 9b-12: 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.
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![Legend: H for Heirloom, O for Organic, A for AAS Winner, F for staff favorites]()
Tobacco Seeds - Cigar Collection
The Cigar Seed Collection boasts a diverse assortment of three of the most popular tobacco varieties native to both the Caribbean and the famous Connecticut River Valley. Cuban Criollo 98...
Compact Emergency Bug Out Bag - 19 Pack
Non-GMO Bug Out Bag Survival Garden Vegetable & Herb Seeds. Compact Collection of 19 Heirloom Seed Varieties for Emergency Seed Vault. A compact and more economical version of the full...
The True Leaf Market Vegetable Growing Guide
Get the True Leaf Market Vegetable Planting Guide! The PDF version is free, just click below to download, or purchase the print booklet with FREE shipping. In this booklet, you'll...
Lavender Seeds - Hidcote Blue
100+ Days to maturity. Lavandula angustifolia. Hidcote Blue Lavender Seeds. Non-GMO, perennial, open-pollinated. Suitable for growing in fields, containers, garden plots, and raised beds. Experience the classic beauty and sweet...
Celery Microgreens Seeds
Celery Microgreens. Apium graveolens. 21-28 days. Microgreens. Non-GMO. Celery microgreens are a fast, fun way to get the savory and crisp flavor of celery in only a few days rather...
Fenugreek Seeds
Non-GMO, Open Pollinated. Heirloom Fenugreek Herb Garden Seed from True Leaf Market. Trigonella foenum-graecum. Fenugreek is a warm fast-maturing annual that's been used as an incense dating back to Ancient...
Seed Assortment - Flower Garden
The Flower Garden Seed Assortment is a collection of our loveliest, most popular, and easy-to-grow flower seeds for planting. Explore your creativity with a wide selection of flower colors and...
Sorghum Seeds - Rox Orange Syrup Cane
Rox Orange Syrup Cane. Sorghum. Sorghum bicolor. 70-80 days. Open Pollinated. Heirloom. Non-GMO. AKA: Broom Corn. Though technically a variety of grass, Rox Orange Syrup sorghum grows a dramatic and...
Rutabaga Seeds - Laurentian
90-95 days. Non-GMO. Heirloom. Laurentian Rutabaga Seeds from True Leaf Market produce deep purple and creamy yellow rutabagas weighing up to 1 lb. The smooth, uniform roots are typically between...
Lavender Seeds - Munstead
126-140 Days to maturity. Lavender angustifolia. Munstead Lavender Seeds. Heirloom, Non-GMO, Open Pollinated. Perennial. A fragrant robust lavender that, due to its short size and tightly held blooms (about 8...
Marigold Seeds - Nematode Control
60-70 Days to maturity. Tagetes patula. Nematode Control Marigold Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated. This drought-tolerant and deer-resistant marigold is an outstanding tool in any gardener’s tool belt. As a specially...
Pepper Seeds - Sweet - Shishito (Organic)
60-80 Days to maturity. Capsicum annuum var. grossum. Organic Shishito Sweet Pepper Seeds. Non-GMO, heirloom, open-pollinated, organic, cool weather annual. This thin-skinned and sweet pepper is popular in Asian market....
Superfood Mix - Microgreens Seeds (Organic)
5-7 Days to maturity. See the attributes table below for Latin names. Organic Superfood Microgreens Mix Seeds. These nutrient-packed organic greens bring an array of flavors to your plate. From...
Perlite Soil Amendment
Pure horticultural grade perlite. Granule size about one-eighth of an inch. Perlite is made from all-natural volcanic rock that is heated under pressure until it explodes like popcorn, leaving a...
Oats and Peas Cover Crop Seed Mix
50-70 Days to termination. Oat and Peas Cover Crop Mix Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, winter-killing, no-till, forage-friendly. Plant as a spring, summer, or fall cover crop to restore vital nutrients and...
Radish - Champion - Microgreens Seeds
6 to 11 days. A tasty microgreens with vibrant pink stems and deep earthy-green leafy tops. Champion is an unexpected radish microgreen gem. Select a Different Use for This Seed:...
Fenugreek Seeds - Microgreens
Fenugreek seeds. 30 Days. Annual, Open Pollinated. Trigonella foenum-graecum. Fenugreek can be used grown as a mature herb or microgreen. Fenugreek seeds are popularly used in spice mixes and teas....
Spinach Seeds - Winter Giant
50 days. Spinacia oleracea. Winter Giant Spinach Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, heirloom, open-pollinated. This crop is suitable for garden plots, raised beds, and containers. Winter Giant is a very cold-hardy spinach...
Wildflower Seeds - Monarch Butterfly Mix
Monarch Butterfly Mix. Garden Flower Mix. 13 Varieties of Assorted Flower Seeds. Ornamental. Heirloom. Non GMO. Assorted mix of 13 varieties of wildflowers including Butterfly Milkweed, Aster, Purple Coneflower, Rocket...
Lentil - Black (Organic) - Sprouting Seeds
2-3 Days to Harvest. Vigna mungo. Unhulled Organic Black Lentil Sprouting Seeds. Organic. Non-GMO. Sprouting. High Germination. Lentil is the ideal beginner sprout and a great way to introduce anyone...
Okra Seeds - Jambalaya 2.0
Jambalaya 2.0 Okra Seeds. Abelmoschus esculentus. 55 to 58 Days to Maturity. Non-GMO, F2 Hybrid. Annual. This extra early maturing okra variety is very compact and has small leaves. It...
Amaranth Seeds - Polish - Organic
Certified Organic by Oregon Tilth. 250 mg packet. Amaranthus. 60 days to maturity. From Wisconsin farmer Richard DeWild. This amaranth is one of the best tasting amaranth varieties we sell....
Arugula Microgreens Seeds
6-8 Days to maturity. Eruca sativa. Arugula Microgreen Seeds. Arugula microgreens are nutrient-packed and perfect for easy greens grown indoors and year-round. Arugula has a unique and peppery flavor that...
Yellow Mustard Microgreens Seeds
Yellow Mustard Microgreens Seeds. Non-GMO, Open Pollinated. Yellow Mustard Microgreens mature in 7 to 10 days, from seed to harvest. Grow as you would any other mustard seeds. Yellow mustard...
Sprouting Kit - Fully Raw's 12 Best Sprouts
Fully Raw’s 12 Best Organic Sprouts Collection offers 12 delicious, nutritious, easy, and colorful organic sprouting seeds that you can use for any healthy meal. This selection is perfect for...
Parsley Seeds - Italian Giant
70-80 Days to maturity. Petroselinum crispum. Italian Giant Parsley Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom. Suitable for growing in fields, containers, garden plots, raised beds, and greenhouses. Italian Giant parsley brings...
Bean Seeds - Bush - Garbanzo (Organic)
100 Days to maturity. Cicer arietinum. Organic Garbanzo Bean Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, organic open-pollinated, heirloom, bush, shell, specialty, sprouting bean. Suitable for growing in containers, garden plots, raised beds, and...
Onion Sets - Spanish Yellow
100 Sets This is a pre-order item and is expected to ship in March to April for spring planting. Other seeds, supplies, or kits ordered with this product may ship...
Wheat Seeds - Hard White
Hard White Wheat. Grain Seeds. Annual. Non-GMO. High Germination. Triticum aestivum. Like many cereal grains. Harvested in the summer as a 48-60 inch tall wheat crop. Suitable for fall or...
Corn Salad Seeds - French
40 days. Valerianella olitoria. French Corn Salad Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated. This crop is suitable for garden plots, raised beds, and containers. French corn salad, also known as mache or...
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