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]()
Leafy Greens Seed Assortment - 7 Pack
Everyone knows that leafy greens are packed with essential nutrients. This collection goes beyond that to show that they can be beautiful and flavorful. From spicy arugula to tender lettuce,...
Leek Seeds - Carentan
Non-GMO, Open-Pollinated, Heirloom Carentan Leek Seeds from True Leaf Market. Carentan leeks are an excellent addition to dishes that need an extra oniony zest. Tender white stems grow 8.5 inches...
Windowsill Self Watering Microgreens Kit
The one indoor gardening system that even the blackest of thumbs can use. Grow your own delicious superfoods in just 7-10 days. Kit includes enough microgreens seeds for 3 harvests:...
Basil Seeds - Sweet (Organic) - Microgreens
Organic Sweet Basil Seeds. 85 Days. Annual. Ocimum basilicum. Non-GMO, Certified Organic by Oregon Tilth. Sweet basil is similar to genovese basil but with an extra hint of sweetness with...
Sunflower Seeds - Chocolate Cherry
85-95 Days to maturity. Helianthus annuus. Non-GMO. Open Pollinated. Annual. Heirloom. Heirloom Chocolate Cherry sunflower seeds mature to be 6 to 7 feet tall ornamentals with deep burgundy petals and...
Strawberry Seeds - Mignonette
Mignonette Strawberry Seeds. Heirloom. Non GMO. Perennial. Fragaria vesca. AKA: Alpine Strawberry or Wild Strawberry. 80-85 days. The French Mignonette strawberry is unlike any you‚ve bought from the grocery store,...
Herb Seed Assortment - Scarborough Fair
The Scarborough Fair Culinary Herb Seed Collection is directly inspired by the traditional English ballad, "Scarborough Fair" later popularized by folk rock duo, Simon & Garfunkel. This herb kit assortment...
Kale Seeds - Dazzling Blue
Dazzling Blue Kale Seeds. 50 - 60 days to maturity. Brassica oleracea. Open Pollinated, Annual. Make any salad gorgeous with the unique coloring of Kale Dazzling Blue. Approximately 8,000 seeds/ounce...
Basil Seeds - Thai (Organic)
60-90 Days to maturity. Ocimum basilicum thyrsiflora. Organic Thai Basil Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, organic, open-pollinated, heirloom. Suitable for growing in fields, containers, garden plots, raised beds, and greenhouses. On the...
Parsley Seeds - Plain or Single
70-80 Days to maturity. Petroselinum crispum. Plain or Single Parsley Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom. Suitable for growing in fields, containers, garden plots, raised beds, and greenhouses. Plain or Single...
Sunflower - Red Storm - Microgreens Seeds
Red Storm sunflower microgreen seeds grow exotic red sunflower microgreens that boast all the same flavors and simplicity as traditional Black Oil sunflower sprouts. Try red microgreens sunflower shoots alongside...
Pea - Microgreens Seeds
6-14 Days to maturity. Pisum sativum. Pea Microgreen Seeds. Pea microgreens are grown differently than most other microgreens but are well worth the change of pace. While they are different,...
Rosemary Seeds (Organic)
120-180 Days to maturity. Salvia rosmarinus. Organic Rosemary Seeds. Non-GMO, organic, open-pollinated, heirloom, perennial herb. Rosemary is a popular culinary aromatic herb that can be grown in garden plots and...
Calendula Seeds - Fancy Mix
50-70 Days to maturity. Calendula officinalis. Fancy Mix Calendula Seeds. Non-GMO, open-pollinated, annual, ornamental herb and flower. Fancy Mix Calendulas are hardy, tolerant of cool temperatures, and produce some strikingly...
Shiso Seeds - Red (Organic)
80-85 Days to maturity. Perilla frutescens. Red Shiso Herb Seeds. Non-GMO, organic, annual. Shiso is grown as an annual herb with a distinct flavor often described by people as similar...
Okra Seeds - Jing Orange
Jing Orange Okra Seeds. 30 to 60 days to maturity. Abelmoschus esculentus. Heirloom, Annual. Jing Orange is an Asian okra, known for it is stunning red-orange color. Approximately 500 seeds/ounce....
Spinach Seeds - Early Hybrid No 7
Early Hybrid No. 7 Spinach Seeds. 36 to 40 Days. F1 Hybrid, Non-GMO. Spinacia oleracea. Large green semi-savoyed leaves. A great choice for home garden or market growers. Can be...
Boost MaxPro Grow Lights
Boost MaxPro Full spectrum grow lights for seed starting, houseplants, microgreens, wheatgrass, and more. This is the easiest system available on the market. The modular design allows you to use...
Sunflower Seeds - Indian Blanket
75-90 Days to maturity. Helianthus annuus. Indian Blanket Sunflower Seeds: Non-GMO. Open Pollinated. Ornamental. Annual. Indian Blanket blooms gorgeous flowers that are shades of orange, red, and yellow. These beautiful...
Borage Seeds (Organic)
60-70 Days to maturity. Borago officinalis. Organic Borage Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom herb. Borage is commonly referred to as a starflower due to its beautiful, star-shaped blue flowers. This...
The True Leaf Market Herb Growing Guide
Get the True Leaf Market Herb 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...
Tomatillo Seeds - Aunt Molly's
Aunt Molly's Tomatillo Seeds. 65 - 70 days to maturity. Physalis pruinosa. Heirloom. Annual. Indeterminate. Very sweet tomatillo with an underlying tartness. These half to three quarter inch fruits are...
Radish - Red Stem - Microgreens Seeds
Red Stemmed Microgreens Seeds. Raphanus sativus. Non-GMO. Microgreen Harvest 8 to 12 Days. Selected specifically for their red stem / green leaf (cotyledon) combination, these red stemmed radish seeds grow...
Spinach Seeds - Matador Viking
45 days. Spinacia oleracea. Matador Viking Spinach Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, heirloom, open-pollinated. This crop is suitable for containers, garden plots, raised beds, and fields. 1933 heirloom with smooth, dark green...
Kale Seeds - Portuguese
Portuguese Kale Seeds. Brassica oleracea. 85 days to maturity. Heirloom. Annual. This Kale variety may be the hardiest of the cabbage kin. Approximately 8,000 seeds/ounce Kale Seeds - Portuguese It...
Market Garden Seeds Collection
The Market Garden Seeds Collection delivers 8 of the most productive and reliable crops to help boost any Farmers‚ Market stand all season long. Market Garden Seeds Collection is handpicked...
Onion Sets - Karmen Red
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...
Spinach Seeds - Carmel Hybrid
40 days. Spinacia oleracea. Carmel Hybrid Spinach Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, F1 hybrid. This crop is suitable for garden plots, raised beds, and containers. Carmel is a fast-growing, very uniform hybrid...
Amaranth Seeds - Red Army - Microgreens Seeds
Red Army Amaranth Seeds. Non-GMO. Heirloom. Microgreen and Garden Seeds. Amaranthus cruentus. AKA: Blood Amaranth, Princes Feather, or Mexican Grain Amaranth. 100-130 days. Red Army amaranth is a darker and...
Kale Seeds - White Russian - Microgreens
White Russian Kale Seeds. 50 Days. Brassica napus. Non-GMO, Open Pollinated. White Veined, cold tolerant, flavorful kale. Great for full grown kale at 50 days, Baby Greens at 20 days,...
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