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.
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]()
Marigold (Signata) Seeds - Gem Series
63-77 days. Gem Series signata seeds promise a stunning and exotic twist to the traditional marigold popularly grown in the United States. Gem Series seeds grow tidy 9-12" dwarfed mounds...
Carrot Seeds - Royal Chantenay
65-70 days. Royal Chantenay Carrot Seeds. Daucus carota subsp. sativus. Non-GMO. Heirloom. From the Chantenay region of France, Chantenay is an old-world favorite grown for denser, stubbier roots. A 19th...
Pepper Seeds - Hot - Santa Fe Grande
80-89 Days to maturity (from transplant). Capsicum annuum. Santa Fe Grande Pepper Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, high yielding, deer resistant, heat tolerant, drought tolerant, hot-type pepper with mild heat...
Gaillardia Seeds - Blanket Flower
84-91 Days to maturity. Gaillardia aristata. Gaillardia Blanket Flower Seeds. Non-GMO, Perennial. Blanket Flower gaillardia seeds promise a vibrant and perennial touch of authentic American color in your garden. Blanket...
Pepper Seeds - Hot - Caribbean Blend
60-69 Days to maturity (from transplant). Capsicum chinense. Caribbean Blend Pepper Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, high yielding, deer resistant, heat tolerant, drought tolerant, hot pepper with extra hot heat levels....
Carrot Seeds - Little Fingers - Organic
(65 days) Little Fingers baby gourmet carrot has tiny tender 3- 5" roots; 1/2 inch thick; golden orange, sweet and crisp. A perfect Nantes type carrot for munching or salads....
African Marigold Seeds - Antigua Series
77-84 Days to maturity. Tagetes erecta. Antigua Series African Marigold Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, hybrid. Antigua Series African marigold seeds grow some of the most recognizable summertime blooms, both indoors and...
African Marigold Seeds - Discovery Series
77-84 Days to maturity. Tagetes erecta. Discovery Series African Marigold Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, hybrid. Discovery Series African marigold seeds are an adorable, compact, and vibrant addition to grow in any...
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...
Gourds Seeds - Turks Turban
Non-GMO Turks Turban is ready in 100+ days. Brightly colored ornamental squash has large, flattened fruits measuring 8 to 10 inches across. This gourd is striped with scarlet, white, orange,...
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....
Pepper Seeds - Sweet - Giant Aconcagua
70 Days to maturity (from transplant). Capsicum annuum. Giant Aconcagua Pepper Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, high-yielding, sweet pepper with no heat. 0 Scoville Heat Units. Suitable for growing in...
Pepper Seeds - Hot - Wicked Ghost Hybrid
110-119 Days to maturity (from transplant). Capsicum chinense. Wicked Ghost Hybrid Pepper Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, F1 hybrid, deer resistant, hot pepper with extremely hot heat levels. 700,000 to 900,000 Scoville...
Carrot Seeds - Nantes Mini Core
Nantes Mini Core carrots are an excellent carrot to grow in a home garden. This variation produces roots that have little to no core, giving them a great crunch. Plant...
Pepper Seeds - Hot - Scotch Bonnet Orange
100 Days to maturity (from transplant). Capsicum chinense. Orange Scotch Bonnet Pepper Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, heat-tolerant, deer-resistant hot pepper with extra hot heat levels. 100,000-200,000 Scoville Heat Units....
Sunflower Seeds - ProCut®
50-65 Days to maturity. Helianthus annuus. ProCut F1 Hybrid Sunflower Seeds: Non-GMO. Ornamental. Annual. ProCut sunflower series seeds grow some of summer's most astonishing, vigorous, and timeless blooms. ProCut sunflower...
Tomatillo Seeds - Cape Gooseberry Large Fruit
90-120 days. Physalis peruviana. Cape Gooseberry Large Fruit Tomatillo Seeds. Non-GMO, warm-season annual, heirloom, open-pollinated. This crop is suitable for garden plots, raised beds, and larger containers. This strain will...
Swiss Chard Seeds - Orange
55 days. Orange Swiss Chard is a great ornamental vegetable. Don't just plant it in the garden, add some in the landscaping. These bright orange stalks will spice up any...
Gourds Seeds - Large & Small Mix
Large and Small Gourd Mix is ready in 90-120 days. This mix of small and large, non-gmo gourd seeds is a collection of gourds that will grow into different shapes...
Carrot Seeds - Brilliance
The Brilliance Carrot typically grows to 8-10 inches long in root length, with another 10-12 inches top length. Plant the seeds directly outside in full sun. Best grown when planted...
Pepper Seeds - Hot - Firecracker
120-140 Days to maturity (from transplant). Capsicum annuum. Firecracker Hot Pepper Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, heirloom, open-pollinated, deer-resistant, heat-tolerant, hot pepper with hot heat levels. 30,000-40,000 Scoville Heat Units. Suitable for...
Sorghum Seeds - Multicolored Broomcorn
105-119 days to maturity. Sorghum bicolor. Multicolored Broomcorn Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, ornamental grain. This crop is suitable for growing in fields, garden plots, and raised beds. Multicolored broomcorn (sometimes...
Pepper Seeds - Hot - Jamaican Yellow Habanero
80-89 Days to maturity (from transplant). Capsicum chinense. Jamaican Yellow Pepper Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, high yielding, deer resistant, heat tolerant, drought tolerant, hot pepper with extra hot heat levels....
Nasturtium Seeds - Whirlybird Mix
Whirlybird Nasturtium flower garden seeds. Annual Flower. Edible Flowers. This strain boasts a better range of flower colors when grown on to maturity. Edible flowers include scarlet, pale yellow, soft...
Zinnia Seeds - Cut and Come Again (Organic)
60-70 Days to Maturity. Zinnia elegans. Organic Cut and Come Again Zinnia Flower Seeds. Non-GMO, organic, heirloom, open-pollinated flowers. Annual in zones 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and...
Pepper Seeds - Sweet - Golden Treasure Hybrid
65-80 Days to maturity (from transplant). Capsicum annuum. Golden Treasure Hybrid Pepper Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, F1 hybrid, sweet pepper with no heat. 0 Scoville Heat Units. Suitable for growing in...
Carrot Seeds - Bambino (Organic)
Bambino. Carrot. Daucus carota. 54-63 days. Organic. Non-GMO. Annual. Organic Bambino carrot is considered a gourmet variety, reaching its peak of flavor at about 4-5 inches long. Bambino earns its...
Sunflower Seeds - Red Sun
90-110 Days to maturity. Helianthus annuus. Red Sun Sunflower Seeds: Non-GMO. Open Pollinated. Ornamental. Annual. Heirloom. Red Sun seeds grow one of the summer's rarest and most unique blooms, stunning...
French Marigold Seeds - Sparky - Organic
63-77 Days to maturity. Tagetes patula. Organic Sparky Marigold Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, Open Pollinated. Sparky Mixture marigold seeds offer one of the most vibrant and inexpensive blooms available to the...
Pollinator Flower Seeds - Butterfly Feed Mix
Butterfly Flower Mix 2 gram per packet This colorful mix of annual and perennial flowers provides nectar to many butterfly species, inlcluding monarchs, brushfoots, skippers, sulphurs and swallowtails. The mix...
Zinnia Seeds - Peppermint Stick
55-70 Days to maturity. Zinnia elegans. Peppermint Stick Mixture Zinnia Seeds. Non-GMO, open-pollinated, annual. Peppermint Stick Mix Zinnia Flower seeds are the most unique, candy-striped zinnia ever! They offer prolific...
[
{
"featured_image": "files/marigold-signata-gem-series-flower-seeds-Comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/marigold-gem-series-lemon-seed-wm_700.jpg",
"price": 369,
"handle": "marigold-signata-gem-series-flower-seeds",
"title": "Marigold (Signata) Seeds - Gem Series",
"url": "/products/marigold-signata-gem-series-flower-seeds",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/carrot-seeds-bambino-organic-Comp_d0954742-efeb-4062-b328-e514030d69e2.jpg",
"secondary_image": "",
"price": 359,
"handle": "carrot-seeds-bambino-organic",
"title": "Carrot Seeds - Bambino (Organic)",
"url": "/products/carrot-seeds-bambino-organic",
"available": false
},
{
"featured_image": "products/carrot-royal-chantenay-seed-wm_700.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/MVS-generic-packet_269f28b2-243c-494f-be6e-34346fe8c2ea.jpg",
"price": 299,
"handle": "carrot-royal-chantenay",
"title": "Carrot Seeds - Royal Chantenay",
"url": "/products/carrot-royal-chantenay",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/pepper-hot-santa-fe-grande-seeds-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/non-gmo-sprouting-seed_8a04ea4d-927d-4e57-88f2-a4c5747e026c.jpg",
"price": 199,
"handle": "pepper-hot-santa-fe-grande-seeds",
"title": "Pepper Seeds - Hot - Santa Fe Grande",
"url": "/products/pepper-hot-santa-fe-grande-seeds",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/sunflower-red-sun-flower-seed-Comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/Seed_Packet_1_2_494f3ed6-ff26-4005-af6e-955afcf7510b.jpg",
"price": 299,
"handle": "sunflower-red-sun-flower-seed",
"title": "Sunflower Seeds - Red Sun",
"url": "/products/sunflower-red-sun-flower-seed",
"available": false
},
{
"featured_image": "files/gaillardia-blanket-flower-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/non-gmo-seed-bag-4-oz-sm_170f1ca6-3d80-496a-ba1b-d75472038a4f.png",
"price": 299,
"handle": "gaillardia-blanket-flower",
"title": "Gaillardia Seeds - Blanket Flower",
"url": "/products/gaillardia-blanket-flower",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/pepper-seeds-hot-caribbean-blend-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/MVS-generic-packet-com_31b0191b-ac98-4aa5-9a97-c0722d5830d9.jpg",
"price": 299,
"handle": "pepper-seeds-hot-caribbean-blend",
"title": "Pepper Seeds - Hot - Caribbean Blend",
"url": "/products/pepper-seeds-hot-caribbean-blend",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/Nasturtium_Seeds_-_Alaska_-_Microgreens_Seeds-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/nasturtium-alaska-mix-microgreens-wb-wm-700.jpg",
"price": 709,
"handle": "nasturtium-seeds-alaska",
"title": "Nasturtium Seeds - Alaska - Microgreens Seeds",
"url": "/products/nasturtium-seeds-alaska",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/organic-little-fingers-carrot-seed-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/SSC-organic-generic-packet-com_aa6534e1-c6c0-4ac0-9f31-5174901c7853.jpg",
"price": 359,
"handle": "organic-little-fingers-carrot-seed",
"title": "Carrot Seeds - Little Fingers - Organic",
"url": "/products/organic-little-fingers-carrot-seed",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/marigold-antigua-series-flower-seed-Comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/marigold-antigua-series-orange-flower-wm_700.jpg",
"price": 419,
"handle": "marigold-antigua-series-flower-seed",
"title": "African Marigold Seeds - Antigua Series",
"url": "/products/marigold-antigua-series-flower-seed",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/marigold-discovery-series-flower-seed-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/marigold-discovery-series-orange-seed-wm_700.jpg",
"price": 479,
"handle": "marigold-discovery-series-flower-seed",
"title": "African Marigold Seeds - Discovery Series",
"url": "/products/marigold-discovery-series-flower-seed",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/Calendula-Fancy-Mix_4abe8fd1-3a89-468a-8ec0-00b96364e957.jpg",
"secondary_image": "files/Flower_1lb_1e1e8015-b6ee-43d7-ab2d-914b9a7ea265.jpg",
"price": 299,
"handle": "calendula-seeds-fancy-mix",
"title": "Calendula Seeds - Fancy Mix",
"url": "/products/calendula-seeds-fancy-mix",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/gourds-turks-turban-seeds-Comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/non-gmo-seed-bag-sm_6d53db5d-a9f3-46e7-9ebb-8c4cf67ec8d4.png",
"price": 329,
"handle": "gourds-turks-turban-seeds",
"title": "Gourds Seeds - Turks Turban",
"url": "/products/gourds-turks-turban-seeds",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/1687368143_Untitled-10.jpg",
"secondary_image": "",
"price": 399,
"handle": "okra-seeds-jing-orange",
"title": "Okra Seeds - Jing Orange",
"url": "/products/okra-seeds-jing-orange",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/marigold-seeds-sparky-organic-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/SSC-organic-generic-packet-com_e4b9a656-88db-47f3-9eb8-999b1de24446.jpg",
"price": 359,
"handle": "marigold-seeds-sparky-organic",
"title": "French Marigold Seeds - Sparky - Organic",
"url": "/products/marigold-seeds-sparky-organic",
"available": false
},
{
"featured_image": "files/giant-aconcagua-pepper-Comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/Seed_Packet_629cbce2-ee43-4639-9120-b47d4f09aad9.jpg",
"price": 339,
"handle": "giant-aconcagua-pepper",
"title": "Pepper Seeds - Sweet - Giant Aconcagua",
"url": "/products/giant-aconcagua-pepper",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/pepper-seeds-hot-wicked-ghost-f1-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/non-gmo-seed-bag-1-lb-com_41d51300-e474-422d-9f68-67ac5fd1c0d1.jpg",
"price": 539,
"handle": "pepper-seeds-hot-wicked-ghost-f1",
"title": "Pepper Seeds - Hot - Wicked Ghost Hybrid",
"url": "/products/pepper-seeds-hot-wicked-ghost-f1",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/carrot-seeds-nantes-mini-core-Comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/Seed_Pouch_1_1_1_5a73824a-8f7f-420a-a17f-f2922371e0dc.jpg",
"price": 299,
"handle": "carrot-seeds-nantes-mini-core",
"title": "Carrot Seeds - Nantes Mini Core",
"url": "/products/carrot-seeds-nantes-mini-core",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/Pepper-Orange-Scotch-Bonnet-WmComp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/Seed_Packet_1_35ea8e2a-6ecd-4150-a26b-0a0c246e36bf.jpg",
"price": 509,
"handle": "orange-scotchbonnet-pepper",
"title": "Pepper Seeds - Hot - Scotch Bonnet Orange",
"url": "/products/orange-scotchbonnet-pepper",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/sunflower-pro-cut-series-flower-seed-Comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/procut-bicolor-sunflower-wm.jpg",
"price": 429,
"handle": "sunflower-pro-cut-series-flower-seed",
"title": "Sunflower Seeds - ProCut®",
"url": "/products/sunflower-pro-cut-series-flower-seed",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/tomatillo-seeds-cape-gooseberry-large-fruit-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/Seed_Packet_1_1_1_1_1_7eebacf3-3c2b-43fc-9e9e-ab63418cbfd7.jpg",
"price": 299,
"handle": "tomatillo-seeds-cape-gooseberry-large-fruit",
"title": "Tomatillo Seeds - Cape Gooseberry Large Fruit",
"url": "/products/tomatillo-seeds-cape-gooseberry-large-fruit",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/swiss-chard-orange-seeds-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/non-gmo-sprouting-seed_e5f37cd2-a17a-4db4-8073-bcf65ef837a6.jpg",
"price": 299,
"handle": "swiss-chard-orange-seeds",
"title": "Swiss Chard Seeds - Orange",
"url": "/products/swiss-chard-orange-seeds",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/gourds-large-and-small-mix-seeds-Comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/non-gmo-seed-bag-sm_5e7c2016-ba09-4c1a-94e8-3afbf4e6b697.png",
"price": 299,
"handle": "gourds-large-and-small-mix-seeds",
"title": "Gourds Seeds - Large & Small Mix",
"url": "/products/gourds-large-and-small-mix-seeds",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/butterfly-feed-mix-Comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "",
"price": 369,
"handle": "butterfly-feed-mix",
"title": "Pollinator Flower Seeds - Butterfly Feed Mix",
"url": "/products/butterfly-feed-mix",
"available": false
},
{
"featured_image": "files/carrot-seeds-brilliance-Comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/Seed_Pouch_1_1_1_bc4ef770-d534-4021-bb10-dc6cc5e1817f.jpg",
"price": 329,
"handle": "carrot-seeds-brilliance",
"title": "Carrot Seeds - Brilliance",
"url": "/products/carrot-seeds-brilliance",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/pepper-seeds-hot-fire-cracker-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/Seed_Pouch_1_1_1_1_1_1_4eec5723-76f9-41f3-ac23-04cef1e2ffc5.jpg",
"price": 379,
"handle": "pepper-seeds-hot-fire-cracker",
"title": "Pepper Seeds - Hot - Firecracker",
"url": "/products/pepper-seeds-hot-fire-cracker",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/corn-ornamental-broom-corn-multicolored-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/non-gmo-sprouting-seed_f43a1a66-9e39-4dc6-84ff-31e97329360f.jpg",
"price": 299,
"handle": "corn-ornamental-broom-corn-multicolored",
"title": "Sorghum Seeds - Multicolored Broomcorn",
"url": "/products/corn-ornamental-broom-corn-multicolored",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/pepper-seeds-hot-jamaican-yellow-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/MVS-generic-packet-com_00367164-4bd2-4020-a794-f064eef6dc2c.jpg",
"price": 279,
"handle": "pepper-seeds-hot-jamaican-yellow",
"title": "Pepper Seeds - Hot - Jamaican Yellow Habanero",
"url": "/products/pepper-seeds-hot-jamaican-yellow",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/zinnia-seeds-peppermint-stick-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "files/MVS_1_lb_b9c7a339-10b6-465e-8f2e-5558267d5aec.jpg",
"price": 369,
"handle": "zinnia-seeds-peppermint-stick",
"title": "Zinnia Seeds - Peppermint Stick",
"url": "/products/zinnia-seeds-peppermint-stick",
"available": false
},
{
"featured_image": "products/nasturtium-whirly-bird-wm-700_8eb18713-a7b4-40f5-9a40-2e7c4cf04490.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/non-gmo-sprouting-seed_f1811944-0469-46b5-a23a-17453db4db70.jpg",
"price": 299,
"handle": "nasturtium-seeds-whirlybird-mix-1",
"title": "Nasturtium Seeds - Whirlybird Mix",
"url": "/products/nasturtium-seeds-whirlybird-mix-1",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/1742825595_cozinnia_cut_and_come_again_organic_comp_03829f9b-5070-4c1a-8049-885d3126e21b.jpg",
"secondary_image": "",
"price": 359,
"handle": "zinnia-seeds-cut-and-come-again-organic",
"title": "Zinnia Seeds - Cut and Come Again (Organic)",
"url": "/products/zinnia-seeds-cut-and-come-again-organic",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/pepper-golden-treasure-wm_1_1222x1222_9cc6dae0-5b98-4b8d-b2f8-d03698b112f6.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/non-gmo-seed-bag-4-oz-sm_1_24829f04-5098-4ba8-8c10-4ca8ec9c6b3b.png",
"price": 199,
"handle": "pepper-seeds-sweet-golden-treasure-f1",
"title": "Pepper Seeds - Sweet - Golden Treasure Hybrid",
"url": "/products/pepper-seeds-sweet-golden-treasure-f1",
"available": true
}
]
