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]()
Mustard Seeds - Southern Giant Curled
Non-GMO, Heirloom Southern Giant Curled Mustard Seeds from True Leaf Market. Southern Giant Curled Mustard is a staple in Southern gardens. It has large, bright green fringed and curled leaves...
Tarragon Seeds - Russian
Non-GMO, Heirloom Russian Tarragon Herb Garden Seed from True Leaf Market. Artemisia dracunculoides. Tarragon is a warm perennial with woody stems, light-green slender leaves and a mild earthy flavor"as opposed...
Chamomile Seeds - German (Organic)
60+ Days to maturity. Matricaria chamomilla. Organic German Chamomile Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, organic, open-pollinated, heirloom. Suitable for growing in fields, containers, garden plots, raised beds, and greenhouses. German Chamomile makes...
Chamomile Seeds - Roman
Non-GMO, Heirloom Roman Chamomile Herb Garden Seed from True Leaf Market. Chamaemelum Nobile. Roman Chamomile plants originated from North Africa and were later cultivated in Europe"as chamomile has an ancient...
Achillea Seeds - White Yarrow
2nd Year Maturity. Perennial. Non-GMO, Heirloom White Yarrow Achillea Herb Garden Seed from True Leaf Market. Achillea millefolium. Yarrow is a flowering perennial often used as a medicinal remedy or...
Basil Seeds - Thai
60-90 days. Non-GMO, Open-pollinated, Heirloom Thai Basil Herb Seed from True Leaf Market. Ocimum basilicum var. thyrsiflora is native to various Asian regions, such as India and Iran. As basil...
Culinary Herb Seeds Collection
This Heirloom, Non-GMO, Culinary Herb Collection is handpicked of 10 of the most popular heirloom herbs both in and out of the garden. Featuring both annuals and perennials, Culinary Herb...
Wild Arugula - Herb Seeds
40-45 days. Diplotaxis tenuifolia. Non-GMO. Heirloom. Annual. Non-GMO Wild arugula seeds grow far more tolerant and perennial relative to the common arugula or "garden rocket". Although still bright and peppery,...
Cress Seeds - Watercress
Non-GMO, Heirloom Watercress Herb Garden Seed from True Leaf Market. Nasturtium officinale. Watercress, also known as "Yellowcress" is a hardy perennial native to regions in Asia and Europe. This trailing...
Cilantro Seeds - Leisure Splits
Non-GMO, Heirloom Leisure Splits Cilantro Herb Garden Seed from True Leaf Market. Coriandrum sativum. Cilantro is native to regions in North Africa and West Asia. Leisure Splits Cilantro, also known...
Chives Seeds
Non-GMO, Heirloom Chives Herb Garden Seed from True Leaf Market. Allium schoenoprasum. Chives are native to regions in Asia and Europe. This Chive cultivar is common in the U.S. and...
Oregano Seeds - Greek
Origanum vulgare hirtum Perennial. Non-GMO, Heirloom Greek Oregano Herb Garden Seed from True Leaf Market. Origanum vulgare hirtum. Greek Oregano is a perennial herb native to regions in the Mediterranean....
Organic Herb Collection - 8 Pack
Organic Herb Seed Collection. 8 Varieties. Annuals and Perennials. Non-GMO. The Organic Herb Seed Collection is handpicked of 8 of the most popular garden and culinary kitchen herbs such as...
Thai Basil Seeds - Siam Queen
Non-GMO, Heirloom Siam Queen Thai Basil Herb Seed from True Leaf Market. Ocimum basilicum. As basil has many different types, Siam Queen Thai Basil is a sweet cultivar that originated...
Sweet Marjoram Seeds
70 days. Annual. Non-GMO, Heirloom Marjoram Herb Garden Seed from True Leaf Market. Origanum majorana. Marjoram is a tender perennial herb in warmer regions and grown as an annual in...
Seed Starter Kit - Culinary Herb
Grow your own fresh cooking herbs indoors year round. Add zest and flavor to your cooking, and enjoy the fun and benefits of indoor gardening. Nothing improves your cooking like...
Anise Seeds
Non-GMO, Open-pollinated, Heirloom Anise Herb Seeds from True Leaf Market®. Pimpinella anisum is native to the Mediterranean and Southeast Asia regions. The Anise herb and seeds, known as Aniseed, have...
Culinary Herb Assorted Seed Pack - 12 Pack
12 herb garden seed types: Parsley, Thyme, Cilantro/Coriander, Basil, Dill, Oregano, Mint, Chives, Savory, Garlic Chives, Mustard, Sage. Grow your own herb garden indoors or outdoors. A great assortment to...
Chives Seeds - Garlic (Organic)
Non-GMO, Heirloom Organic Garlic Chives Herb Garden Seed from True Leaf Market. Allium tuberosum. Chives are native to regions in Asia and Europe. Organic Garlic Chives are also called "Chinese...
Lemon Mint Seeds
Monarda citriodora Annual. Non-GMO, Heirloom Lemon Mint Herb Garden Seed from True Leaf Market. Monarda citriodora. Lemon Mint resides in the mint family as a warm perennial. Lemon Mint develops...
Shiso Herb Seeds (Perilla) - Korean
70 days to maturity. Perilla frutescens var. frutescens. Korean Shiso Herb Seeds (Perilla). Warm season annual. Perilla is a lovely Korean herb that is a vivid green on the top...
Lemon Balm Seeds (Organic)
90 Days to maturity. Melissa officinalis. Organic Lemon Balm Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, perennial, organic, open-pollinated, heirloom. Suitable for growing in fields, containers, garden plots, and raised beds. Our Organic Lemon...
Dill Seeds - Mammoth Long Island
60-70 days. Long Island Mammoth Dill Seeds. Anethum graveolens. Non-GMO. Heirloom. Known as "Elephant Dill" for significantly longer and feathered 24" tall silvery blue greens, Mammoth Long Island is an...
Seed Assortment - Medicinal & Tea Herb
Grow your own fresh medicinal and tea herbs indoors year round. Cultivate your own fresh, medicinal and herbal tea herbs, and enjoy the fun and benefits of indoor gardening. Easy...
Basil Seeds - Lemon
Non-GMO, Lemon Basil Herb Seed from True Leaf Market. Ocimum basilicum x citriodorum is native to India. As basil has many different varieties, Lemon Basil Herb is considered non-sweet and...
Wild Bergamot Seeds - Bee Balm
65 Days to maturity. Monarda fistulosa. Bee Balm Wild Bergamot Seeds. Non-GMO, perennial, open-pollinated, heirloom. Suitable for growing in garden plots, raised beds, borders, and pollinator gardens. A native wildflower...
Tobacco Seeds - Virginia 116
~65 Days from transplant to maturity. Nicotiana tabacum. Virginia 116 Tobacco Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom. Suitable for growing in fields, containers, garden plots, raised beds, and greenhouses. Resistant to...
Lavender Seeds (Organic)
90+ Days to maturity. Lavandula angustifolia. Organic Lavender Seeds. Non-GMO, perennial, organic, open-pollinated, heirloom. Suitable for growing in fields, containers, garden plots, and raised beds. Organic English Lavender—also called Vera...
Fennel Seeds - Florence
90-115 days. Foeniculum vulgare var. azuricum. Florence Fennel Seeds. Non-GMO, short-lived perennial herb, heirloom, open-pollinated. This crop is suitable for garden plots, raised beds, and containers. Florence fennel is a...
Roselle Seeds - Asian Sour Leaf (Hibiscus)
70-90 day maturity. Hibiscus sabdariffa. Asian Sour Leaf Roselle Seeds. Non-GMO, Cool-season perennial heirloom. This unique perennial can be grown as an annual in areas where it will not survive...
Hyssop Seeds
Non-GMO, Heirloom Hyssop Herb Garden Seed from True Leaf Market. Hyssopus officinalis. Hyssop is a flowering perennial herb native to regions in the Middle East. Shrub-like common Hyssop plants are...
Shiso Herb Seeds (Perilla) - Purple (Red)
Non-GMO, Heirloom Purple Shiso Perilla Herb Garden Seed from True Leaf Market. AKA: Red Shiso. Perilla frutescens var. crispa. Purple Shiso is a warm annual native to India and China....
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