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]()
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...
Retain - Water Retention Soil Additive
Retain plant crystals are a safe and easy-to-use soil additive made out of water-absorbing ingredients (cross-linked polyacrylate, bentonite clay, lava rock, and silicates) that absorb up to 40x its own...
Seed Assortment - The Three Sisters
This seed assortment featuring Blue Lake Pole Beans, Pinto Beans, Blue Hopi corn, Trucker's Favorite White corn, Golden Delicious Winter Squash, and Cushaw Green Striped Winter Squash holds great significance...
Seasonal Seed Assortment - Fall
The seeds in this collection were hand selected by our team of master gardeners to be planted in Fall months. Remember, not all seeds have to be planted in the...
Grass Mix - Cabin Grass Seed
Cabin Grass Seed Mix - AKA: Green Space Holder, Dryland Turf Mix, Erosion Turf Mix. This Cabin Grass Seed Mix is a blend of two low growing, very deep rooted...
African Marigold Seeds - Hawaii
85-95 Days to maturity. Tagetes erecta. Hawaii African Marigold Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated. Hawaii African Marigolds offer extra long flower stalks with large, deep orange flowers. These easy-to-grow and low-maintenance...
Coleus Seeds - Kong Series (Pelleted)
84-91 Days to maturity. Plectranthus scutellarioides. Coleus Kong Series Seeds. Non-GMO, Annual. Kong Series coleus seeds are a simple yet exotic plant, ideal for many hot and humid gardens. Kong...
Pea Seeds - Parsley - Microgreens Seeds
8-12 Days to maturity. Pisum sativum. Parsley Pea Microgreen Seeds. Parsley Pea microgreens have a fantastic, sweet, and robust flavor that is the perfect complement to your existing palate. Packed...
Pepper Seeds - Sweet & Spicy Mix
An exciting mix of both sweet and spicy peppers. Includes 30% Cal Wonder, 20% Large Sweet Red Cherry, 15% White Bell, 7.5% Orange Bell, 7.5% Golden Cal Wonder, and 20%...
Pepper Seeds - Hot - Cambuchi
80 Days to maturity (from transplant). Capsicum baccatum. Cambuci Pepper Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, hot pepper with medium heat levels. 4000 to 6000 Scoville Heat Units. Suitable for growing...
Sprouting Seed Assortment - 12 Pack - Premeasured
The Organic Sprouting Seeds Variety Kit includes 12 pre-measured seed packs, a sprouting lid, and the full-color True Leaf Market Sprouting Guide—everything you need to grow a nutritious harvest of...
Pea - Lincoln - Microgreens Seeds
8-14 days. Lincoln Pea microgreens (shoots) are shorter and very leafy. Their flavor is more on the bitter side. They still taste like peas, only without all the sweetness -...
Pump Pressure Water Sprayer Bottle
2 Liter capacity multi-purpose pressure spray bottle with hand pump and pressure release valve. True Leaf Market Branded. Powder Blue and Gray. Adjustable nozzle to emit mist to stream. Perfect...
Organic Self-Watering Cat Grass Kit
We designed our Self Watering Cat Grass kit for our own cats, with their health and happiness in mind. Hands down, this is our easiest-to-use cat grass system for a...
Complete Garden Hand Tool Set
This collection of True Leaf Market’s own hand gardening tools includes a hand trowel, transplanter, hand cultivator, weeding trowel, and dibber. Made of rustproof stainless steel for long-term durability with...
Lettuce Leaf - Red Sails - Microgreens Seeds
14 to 16 days"possibly 21 days if growing to baby green stage. Red Sails Microgreens seeds grow well in cooler temperatures and germinate uniformally like other lettuce microgreens. With a...
Basil Seeds - Treviso AAS
90 days. Ocimum basilicum. Basil Treviso AAS. Non-GMO, annual, Italian Genovese-type basil, All-America Selections National Winner. This crop is suitable for garden plots, raised beds, and containers. Treviso is a...
Tomato Seeds - Slicing - Black Prince
70 Days to maturity (from transplant). Solanum lycopersicum. Black Prince Tomato Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, indeterminate, slicing tomato. Suitable for growing in garden plots, raised beds, and greenhouses. Resistant...
Wildflower Seed Shaker - Hummingbird & Butterfly
This lavish selection of 23 annual and perennial wildflower seeds attracts hummingbirds, butterflies, honeybees, bumblebees, ladybugs, and other beneficial pollinators while providing seasons of enjoyment. Lovingly packaged in a hand-illustrated,...
Japanese Hori Hori - Garden Hand Tools
The“hori hori” is a Japanese garden knife with a unique blend of digging and cutting features. Equipped with one serrated side and one straight edge side, the Japanese-inspired blade is...
Wildflower Seed Shaker - 3 Pack Gift Set
Our Wildflower Seed Shaker Gift Collection includes three pollinator friendly wildflower seeds, packaged in hand-illustrated, fully compostable shakers. Featuring a beautiful, easy to use seed shaker of Hummingbird & Butterfly,...
Wildflower Seed Shaker - Bee Friendly Mix
Bee Friendly Mix Wildflower Shaker. A mix of 19 annual and perennial wildflowers seeds. This lavish selection of wildflower seeds was created to attract and support bees and other beneficial...
Wildflower Seed Shaker - Save the Monarchs
Save the Monarchs Wildflower Shaker. A mix of 13 essential annual and perennial wildflowers seeds. This selection of wildflower seeds was created to attract and support Monarch Butterflies and other...
Basil Seeds - Dwarf Greek (Organic)
65-75 Days to maturity. Ocimum basilicum ’Dwarf Greek’. Organic Dwarf Greek Basil Herb Seeds. Non-GMO, heirloom, annual. Dwarf Greek is one of the smallest and oldest varieties of basil available....
Corn Seeds - Popcorn - Miniature Blue
100-110 Days to maturity. Zea mays ’Miniature Blue’. Miniature Blue Corn Seeds. Non-GMO, heirloom, open-pollinated, annual, Pop Corn. Suitable for growing in garden plots or raised beds. Corn tolerates heat...
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