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]()
Corn Seeds - Sweet - Peaches and Cream Hybrid
80-90 Days to maturity. Zea mays. Peaches and Cream Hybrid Corn Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, hybrid, Sweet Corn. Suitable for growing in garden plots or raised beds. Corn tolerates heat and...
Lemongrass Seeds - West Indian
90-100 days. West Indian Lemongrass Culinary Herb Seeds. Cymbopogon citratus. Non-GMO. Heirloom. West Indian lemongrass seeds grow the edible, tender, and delicious cultivar of lemongrass. Not to be confused with...
Arugula Seeds - Slow Bolt (Organic)
40-45 days. Organic Slow Bolt Arugula herb Seeds. Eruca vesicaria sativa. Non-GMO. Organic Slow Bolt arugula seeds are one of the fastest growing crops for home gardeners and, since they...
Celery Seeds - Utah 52-70
100 days. Utah 52-70 Celery Seeds. Apium graveolens var. dulce. Non-GMO. Heirloom. The Utah 52-70 is a variety of celery seed that is ideal for short seasons, as it can...
Watermelon Seeds - Picnic - Crimson Sweet
80-90 Days to maturity. Citrullus lanatus. Crimson Sweet Watermelon Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, heat tolerant, seeded, picnic watermelon. Resistant to Anthracnose (1,3), Fusarium Wilt (Race 1,2). Crimson Sweet watermelon...
Cauliflower Seeds - Snowball Y Improved
70-80 days to maturity. Brassica oleracea var. botrytis. Snowball Y Improved Cauliflower Seeds. Non-GMO, heirloom, open-pollinated, annual. This is suitable for growing in garden plots, raised beds, containers, and fields....
Lettuce Seeds - Butterhead - Buttercrunch (Organic)
AAS Winner. 65 days. Recommended by Utah State University, Organic Buttercrunch is the most popular of the butterhead varieties. Approx. 16,000 seeds/oz. These non-GMO Buttercrunch seeds grow into vibrant, green...
Beet Seeds - Detroit Dark Red (Organic)
55 days. Organic Detroit Dark Red beet seeds. Beta vulgaris. Non-GMO. Organic. Since the turn of the century, Organic Detroit Dark Red has been the preferred choice for homegrown classic...
Watermelon Seeds - Picnic - Crimson Sweet (Organic)
80-90 Days to maturity. Citrullus lanatus. Crimson Sweet Organic Watermelon Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, organic, open-pollinated, heirloom, heat tolerant, seeded, picnic watermelon. Resistant to Anthracnose (1,3), Fusarium Wilt (Race 1,2). Organic...
Geranium Seeds - Maverick Series
91-105 days maturity. Pelargonium x hortorum . Geranium Maverick Series Seeds. Non-GMO, Annual. Ornamental. Maverick Series geranium seeds are an adorable, compact, and vibrant addition to grow in any home...
Oregano Seeds - Common Italian
Origanum vulgare 90 days. Perennial. Non-GMO, Heirloom Common Italian Oregano Herb Garden Seed from True Leaf Market. Common Italian Oregano is a perennial herb often called "Wild Marjoram." With the...
Melon Seeds - Cantaloupe - Hales Best Jumbo
85-110 Days to maturity. Cucumis melo. Hale's Best Jumbo Cantaloupe Melon Seeds. A non-GMO, annual, heirloom, open-pollinated, heat-tolerant, drought-tolerant Cantaloupe Melon. Suitable for growing in garden plots, raised beds, and...
Tomato Seeds - Cherry - Sungold Hybrid
57 Days to maturity (from transplant). Solanum lycoperscium. Sungold Hybrid Tomato Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, F1 hybrid, indeterminate, cherry tomato. Suitable for growing in garden plots, raised beds, greenhouses, containers, and...
Dill Seeds - Bouquet (Organic)
Non-GMO, Heirloom Organic Bouquet Dill Herb Garden Seed from True Leaf Market. Anethum graveolens. Organic Bouquet Dill grows fast-maturing cool-season annuals and is native to West Asia and regions in...
Pepper Seeds - Hot - TAM Jalapeno
65-80 Days to maturity (from transplant). Capsicum annuum. Tam Jalapeno Pepper Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, deer resistant, heat tolerant, drought tolerant, hot-type pepper with medium heat levels. 1,000 to...
Petunia Seeds - Supercascade Series (pelleted)
98-105 Days to maturity. Petunia x hybrida Supercascade Series Petunia Seeds. Non-GMO, hybrid, Premium Quality Seeds, annual. Supercascade Series seeds will delight your garden with the largest and most robust...
Radish Seeds - Cherry Belle
21-28 days. Cherry Belle Radish Seeds. Raphanus sativus. Non-GMO. Heirloom. Visually stunning, uniform, and quick to maturity in about 25 days, Cherry Belle radish is one of the most reliable...
Oregano Seeds - Common Italian (Organic)
90 days. Organic Oregano Culinary Herb Seeds. Origanum vulgare. Perennial. Non-GMO. Organic culinary oregano seeds deliver one of the more pronounced, robust, aromatic herbs in the mint family. Tenacious and...
Watermelon Seeds - Mini - Sugar Baby
75-80 Days to maturity. Citrullus lanatus. Sugar Baby Watermelon Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, heat tolerant, seeded, mini watermelon. Suitable for growing in garden plots and large containers (minimum 7...
Pepper Seeds - Sweet - Golden Cal Wonder
72 Days to maturity (from transplant). Capsicum annuum. Golden Cal Wonder Pepper Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, high-yielding, drought tolerant, sweet-type, with no heat levels. 0 Scoville Heat Units. Suitable...
Tomato Seeds - Salad - Better Boy Plus Hybrid
70 Days to maturity (from transplant). Solanum lycoperscium. Better Boy Tomato Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, hybrid, heat tolerant, indeterminate, salad tomato. Suitable for growing in garden plots, raised beds, and greenhouses....
Pepper Seeds - Sweet - Sweet Banana
70 Days to maturity (from transplant). Capsicum annuum. Sweet Banana Pepper Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, sweet pepper with mild heat levels. Drought tolerant, heat tolerant. 0 to 500 Scoville...
Radish Seeds - Daikon Minowase
Raphanus sativus (45 days) AKA Japanese Minowase Daikon Radish. Daikon is a root vegetable reported to have originated in the Mediterranean and brought to China for cultivation around 500 B.C....
Squash Seeds - Winter - Vegetable Spaghetti
80-100 days. Vegetable Spaghetti Winter Squash Seeds. Cucurbita pepo. Non-GMO. Open Pollinated. Grow your own pasta replacement with Vegetable Spaghetti Winter squash seeds. This spaghetti squash is ready in just...
Lettuce Seeds - Butterhead - Buttercrunch
60-70 days. Buttercrunch Lettuce Seeds. Lactuca sativa. Non-GMO. Open Pollinated. An award-winning and absolutely hardy cultivar of butter head, Buttercrunch is tender, delicious, and looks as good in the garden...
Nasturtium Seeds - Jewel Mix
54-63 Days to maturity. Tropaeolum majus. Organic Nasturtium Jewel Mix Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, heirloom. Jewel Mix nasturtium is brilliant, easy to grow from seed, and perfectly suited for many dry...
Tomato Seeds - Paste - San Marzano Indeterminate
85 Days to maturity (from transplant). Solanum lycoperscium. San Marzano (Indeterminate) Tomato Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, indeterminate, paste tomato. Often compared to the famous Roma tomato in terms of...
Kale Seeds - Vates Blue Scotch Curled
60-70 days. Vates Blue Scotch Curled Kale Seeds. Brassica oleracea var. acephalla. Non-GMO. Heirloom. The premier variety of curled kale, Vates Blue Scotch is a tenacious cold-weather favorite known to...
Tomato Seeds - Paste - Roma (Organic)
76 Days to maturity (from transplant). Solanum lycoperscium. Roma (Organic) Tomato Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, organic, open-pollinated, heirloom, heat tolerant, determinate, paste tomato. Suitable for growing in garden plots, raised beds,...
Stevia Seeds - Sweet Herb
40 to 60 days. Stevia rebaudiana Annual in cold climates. 40 to 60 days. Non-GMO, Heirloom Sweet Stevia Herb Garden Seed from True Leaf Market. Stevia rebaudiana. Stevia is a...
[
{
"featured_image": "files/Corn_se_Peaches_and_Cream_Hybrid_7c251712-6825-4f9b-a413-d163e6a018dd.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/non-gmo-seed-bag-sm_4011ee82-384e-48c1-b56b-d2596d60ff47.png",
"price": 399,
"handle": "corn-se-peaches-and-cream-hybrid",
"title": "Corn Seeds - Sweet - Peaches and Cream Hybrid",
"url": "/products/corn-se-peaches-and-cream-hybrid",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/Lemon-Grass_fb4acccc-2f81-4d34-95b3-9fbd3f01a84b.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/lemon-grass-package-wm.jpg",
"price": 389,
"handle": "lemongrass",
"title": "Lemongrass Seeds - West Indian",
"url": "/products/lemongrass",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/Arugula-Seeds-Slow-Bolt-Organic-Comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/non-gmo-seed-bag-sus-wm-comp_40cdbb07-cd4b-4de6-a26c-0fe14a96d691.jpg",
"price": 359,
"handle": "arugula-organic",
"title": "Arugula Seeds - Slow Bolt (Organic)",
"url": "/products/arugula-organic",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/Celery-Seeds-Utah-52-70-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/non-gmo-seed-bag-sm_936f1c6b-9c82-403b-a7cc-457f9ecaf1a7.png",
"price": 299,
"handle": "celery-utah-52-70-seeds",
"title": "Celery Seeds - Utah 52-70",
"url": "/products/celery-utah-52-70-seeds",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/Watermelon-Seeds-Picnic-Crimson-Sweet-Comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/Seed_Pouch_1_b8ab52cf-37f3-40b1-b6c6-59f93edd59d4.jpg",
"price": 299,
"handle": "watermelon-crimson-sweet-seeds",
"title": "Watermelon Seeds - Picnic - Crimson Sweet",
"url": "/products/watermelon-crimson-sweet-seeds",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/Cauliflower-Seeds-Snowball-Y-Improved-Comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/non-gmo-seed-bag-sm_132499d7-ee1f-42f4-867a-df5ef87233b4.png",
"price": 299,
"handle": "cauliflower-snowball-y-improved-seeds",
"title": "Cauliflower Seeds - Snowball Y Improved",
"url": "/products/cauliflower-snowball-y-improved-seeds",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/Lettuce-Seeds-Butterhead-Buttercrunch-Organic-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/SSC-organic-generic-packet-com_7844fae4-c31a-48f5-9f88-5868345b231e.jpg",
"price": 389,
"handle": "lettuce-butterhead-buttercrunch-organic-seeds",
"title": "Lettuce Seeds - Butterhead - Buttercrunch (Organic)",
"url": "/products/lettuce-butterhead-buttercrunch-organic-seeds",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "products/detroit-dark-red-beet-com-wm.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/beet-detroit-dark-red-seeds-sus-com-wm.jpg",
"price": 359,
"handle": "beet-seeds-detroit-dark-red-organic",
"title": "Beet Seeds - Detroit Dark Red (Organic)",
"url": "/products/beet-seeds-detroit-dark-red-organic",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/Watermelon-Seeds-Picnic-Crimson-Sweet-Organic-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/SSC-organic-generic-packet-com_42405324-0701-4c71-a259-7020593c0829.jpg",
"price": 199,
"handle": "watermelon-crimson-sweet-organic-seeds",
"title": "Watermelon Seeds - Picnic - Crimson Sweet (Organic)",
"url": "/products/watermelon-crimson-sweet-organic-seeds",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/Geranium-Maverick-Series-Appleblossom-comp_8f661c25-f33a-4e10-88b8-d716addde8ab.jpg",
"secondary_image": "files/Geranium_Maverick_Series_Star_pink_w_rose_eye_Comp.jpg",
"price": 469,
"handle": "geranium-maverick-series-mix-flower-seed",
"title": "Geranium Seeds - Maverick Series",
"url": "/products/geranium-maverick-series-mix-flower-seed",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/Oregano-Seeds-Common-Italian-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "",
"price": 279,
"handle": "oregano-common-italian-seeds",
"title": "Oregano Seeds - Common Italian",
"url": "/products/oregano-common-italian-seeds",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/Melon-Seeds-Cantaloupe-Hales-Best-Jumbo-Comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/Seed_Packet_1_e55a9baa-6b60-4050-b499-928907a8b13a.jpg",
"price": 309,
"handle": "melon-cantaloupe-hales-best-jumbo-seeds",
"title": "Melon Seeds - Cantaloupe - Hales Best Jumbo",
"url": "/products/melon-cantaloupe-hales-best-jumbo-seeds",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/Tomato-Seeds-Cherry-Sungold-Hybrid-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "",
"price": 439,
"handle": "tomato-sungold-garden-seeds",
"title": "Tomato Seeds - Cherry - Sungold Hybrid",
"url": "/products/tomato-sungold-garden-seeds",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/dill-bouquet-organic-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/SSC-organic-generic-packet-com_420edecb-cc01-4af6-96c5-292bdf70adb3.jpg",
"price": 359,
"handle": "dill-bouquet-organic",
"title": "Dill Seeds - Bouquet (Organic)",
"url": "/products/dill-bouquet-organic",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/pepper-hot-tam-jalapeno-seeds-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/non-gmo-sprouting-seed_2def8b31-6fbc-4dca-8069-f97540dbf5ad.jpg",
"price": 299,
"handle": "pepper-hot-tam-jalapeno-seeds",
"title": "Pepper Seeds - Hot - TAM Jalapeno",
"url": "/products/pepper-hot-tam-jalapeno-seeds",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/Tomato-Seeds-Paste-Roma-Organic-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/SSC-organic-generic-packet-com_fc834212-83a2-419c-81a7-605155bf0ecc.jpg",
"price": 359,
"handle": "tomato-roma-organic-seeds",
"title": "Tomato Seeds - Paste - Roma (Organic)",
"url": "/products/tomato-roma-organic-seeds",
"available": false
},
{
"featured_image": "files/Kale_Vates_Blue_Scotch_Curled_Garden_WB_Comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "files/Kale_Vates_Blue_Scotch_Curled_Garden_Microgreen_Wb_Comp.jpg",
"price": 359,
"handle": "kale-blue-vates-organic-seeds",
"title": "Kale Seeds - Dwarf Vates Blue Scotch Curled (Organic)",
"url": "/products/kale-blue-vates-organic-seeds",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/Petunia-Seeds-Supercascade-Series-pelleted-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/petunia-supercascade-series-burgandy-flower-wm_700.jpg",
"price": 299,
"handle": "petunia-supercascade-series-pelleted-flower-seeds",
"title": "Petunia Seeds - Supercascade Series (pelleted)",
"url": "/products/petunia-supercascade-series-pelleted-flower-seeds",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/Radish-Seeds-Cherry-Belle-Comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/Seed_Pouch_1_7cba46d0-e745-4f0f-ba8f-4d8f8bd51fb5.jpg",
"price": 399,
"handle": "radish-cherry-belle-seeds",
"title": "Radish Seeds - Cherry Belle",
"url": "/products/radish-cherry-belle-seeds",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/Oregano-Seeds-Common-Italian-Organic-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/SSC-organic-generic-packet-com_818cc17f-247c-4b87-8456-cab934c66da2.jpg",
"price": 439,
"handle": "oregano-common-italian-organic-seeds",
"title": "Oregano Seeds - Common Italian (Organic)",
"url": "/products/oregano-common-italian-organic-seeds",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/Stevia_Sweet_Herb_Comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "files/Stevia_Sweet_Herb_2_Comp.jpg",
"price": 299,
"handle": "stevia-sweet-herb-seeds",
"title": "Stevia Seeds - Sweet Herb",
"url": "/products/stevia-sweet-herb-seeds",
"available": false
},
{
"featured_image": "files/Lettuce-Seeds-Mixed-Greens-Mesclun-Mix-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/Seed_Pouch_1_75cb6ef9-7793-4624-a7d2-171aa0044dbf.jpg",
"price": 299,
"handle": "lettuce-mixed-greens-mesclun-mix-seeds",
"title": "Lettuce Seeds - Mixed Greens - Mesclun Mix",
"url": "/products/lettuce-mixed-greens-mesclun-mix-seeds",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/Watermelon-Seeds-Mini-Sugar-Baby-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "",
"price": 279,
"handle": "watermelon-sugar-baby-seeds",
"title": "Watermelon Seeds - Mini - Sugar Baby",
"url": "/products/watermelon-sugar-baby-seeds",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/Pepper-Seeds-Sweet-Golden-Cal-Wonder-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/Seed_Pouch_1_94f99eff-bf9e-4346-983d-508828f50336.jpg",
"price": 299,
"handle": "pepper-sweet-golden-cal-wonder-seeds",
"title": "Pepper Seeds - Sweet - Golden Cal Wonder",
"url": "/products/pepper-sweet-golden-cal-wonder-seeds",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/Tomato-Seeds-Salad-Better-Boy-Hybrid-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/SeedPouch_29e75e32-fd55-430c-b9e0-43447faec979.jpg",
"price": 399,
"handle": "tomato-better-boy-plus-hybrid-seeds",
"title": "Tomato Seeds - Salad - Better Boy Plus Hybrid",
"url": "/products/tomato-better-boy-plus-hybrid-seeds",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/pepper-sweet-banana-seeds-Comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/Seed_Pouch_1_3a0cec1a-567a-446a-9c07-3eb2d398ebf4.jpg",
"price": 299,
"handle": "pepper-sweet-banana-seeds",
"title": "Pepper Seeds - Sweet - Sweet Banana",
"url": "/products/pepper-sweet-banana-seeds",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/Radish-Seeds-Daikon-Minowase-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "",
"price": 399,
"handle": "daikon-radish",
"title": "Radish Seeds - Daikon Minowase",
"url": "/products/daikon-radish",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/Squash-Seeds-Winter-Vegetable-Spaghetti-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/Seed_Pouch_1_02c7ab53-1c7c-482a-bf7d-41bc0996d9fb.jpg",
"price": 299,
"handle": "squash-winter-vegetable-spaghetti-seeds",
"title": "Squash Seeds - Winter - Vegetable Spaghetti",
"url": "/products/squash-winter-vegetable-spaghetti-seeds",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/Lettuce-Seeds-Butterhead-Buttercrunch-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/Seed_Packet_1_91c0d5ad-f87d-4106-96db-14fd69be6e74.jpg",
"price": 299,
"handle": "lettuce-butterhead-buttercrunch-seeds",
"title": "Lettuce Seeds - Butterhead - Buttercrunch",
"url": "/products/lettuce-butterhead-buttercrunch-seeds",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/Nasturtium-Seeds-Jewel-Mix-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/Seed_Pouch_1_78316f82-7672-4006-8e15-c0af80d92b83.jpg",
"price": 299,
"handle": "nasturtium-jewel-mix-flower-seeds",
"title": "Nasturtium Seeds - Jewel Mix",
"url": "/products/nasturtium-jewel-mix-flower-seeds",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/Tomato_Seeds_-_Paste_-_San_-Marzano-Indeterminate-Comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/non-gmo-seed-bag-1-oz-sm_1_1_8ec946bc-b3f1-4a7d-ab3c-7bbfc533dd0d.png",
"price": 299,
"handle": "tomato-seeds-san-marzano-indeterminate",
"title": "Tomato Seeds - Paste - San Marzano Indeterminate",
"url": "/products/tomato-seeds-san-marzano-indeterminate",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/Kale_Vates_Blue_Scotch_Curled_Garden_WB_Comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "files/Kale_Vates_Blue_Scotch_Curled_Garden_Microgreen_Wb_Comp.jpg",
"price": 299,
"handle": "kale-vates-blue-scotch-curled-seeds",
"title": "Kale Seeds - Vates Blue Scotch Curled",
"url": "/products/kale-vates-blue-scotch-curled-seeds",
"available": true
}
]
