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]()
Digitalis (Foxglove) Seeds - Mixed Color
2nd-year maturity. Digitalis purpurea. Digitalis Mixed Color Seeds. Non-GMO, Perennial. Mixed Color foxglove seeds grow classic and delicate blooms where other flowers would wither. Mixed Color seeds deliver compact 12-18"...
Alyssum Seeds - Royal Carpet
56-63 Days to maturity. Lobularia maritima. Royal Carpet Alyssum Seeds. Non-GMO, Open-Pollinated, Annual. Open-pollinated seeds. Royal Carpet Alyssum flower seeds are an essential fragrant and award-winning plant whether kept in...
Shasta Daisy Seeds - Alaska
2nd-year maturity. Leucanthemum × superbum. Shasta Daisy Alaska Seeds. Non-GMO, Perennial. Ornamental. Shasta daisy Alaska seeds promise classic, home-grown American color to your home, patio, or garden this season. Alaska...
Echinacea Seeds - Cheyenne Spirit
70-80 days maturity. Echinacea x hybrida. Echinacea Cheyenne Spirit Seeds. Non-GMO, Heirloom, Perennial. Echinacea grows as a warm-season perennial and flowering herb native to Central North America. This vigorous echinacea...
Pepper Seeds - Sweet - Gypsy Hybrid
62 Days to maturity (from transplant). Capsicum annuum. Gypsy Hybrid Pepper Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, hybrid, AAS Winner, sweet-type, with no heat levels. 0 Scoville Heat Units. Suitable for growing in...
Squash Seeds - Winter - Blue Hubbard
Blue Hubbard Squash is a blue-gray-green slightly ridged and warted winter squash variety. it's best attributes is its long storage time (6 months!) and its perfectly sweet taste. Don't let...
Mustard Seeds - Red Giant (Organic)
48 days. Non-GMO, Heirloom Organic Red Giant Mustard Herb Garden Seed from True Leaf Market. Brassica juncea. In general, mustard is an ideal garden plant to grow near herbs. As...
Lettuce Seeds - Jericho
(26 days for baby greens, 56 days for full size) Jericho Lettuce Seeds. Silky smooth neon green romaine leaves reach for the sky in this amazing lettuce with origins in...
Mustard Seeds - Tatsoi
50 days. Non-GMO, Heirloom Tatsoi Mustard Herb Garden Seed from True Leaf Market. Brassica rapa subsp. narinosa. Tatsoi Mustard or "Spoon Mustard" comes from China and gained tradition as a...
Cauliflower Seeds - Self-Blanche
52 days. Large, close-jacket leaves make blanching easy. Deep, smooth, fine-grained heads. This is great for freezing and pickling; a low-calorie, nutritious snack that can be refrigerated and eaten raw...
Eggplant Seeds - Long Purple
80 days. The Long Purple variety of eggplant grows to be up to eight to ten inches long . The Long Purple reaches maturity in eighty days and is suitable...
Onion Seeds - Short - Yellow Granex PRR Hybrid
110-160 Days to maturity. Allium cepa. Yellow Granex PRR Onion Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, hybrid, cold tolerant, bulbing, short-day onion. Suitable for growing in greenhouses, garden plots, raised beds, and containers....
Zinnia Seeds - State Fair Mix
60 - 80 days. Zinnia elegans. Annual. State Fair Mix Zinnia seeds grow some of the tallest and brightest Zinnias growing this summer. State Fair Mix Zinnia seeds deliver brilliant...
Zinnia Seeds - Thumbelina Mixture
60-70 Days to maturity. Zinnia elegans. Thumbelina Mix Zinnia Seeds. Non-GMO, AAS Winner, annual. Thumbelina Mix Zinnia flower seeds are a small, adorable, and vibrant addition to grow in any...
Squash Seeds - Winter - Japanese Red Kuri (Uchiki Kuri)
95 days to maturity. Cucurbita maxima. Japanese Red Kuri (Uchiki Kuri) Winter Squash Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, heirloom, open-pollinated. Suitable for growing in fields, garden plots, raised beds, and containers. Teardrop-shaped...
Tomato Seeds - Slicing - Heirloom Rainbow Blend (Organic)
80-100 Days to maturity (from transplant). Solanum lycopersicum. Organic Heirloom Rainbow Blend Tomato Seeds. Non-GMO, warm season annual, organic, open-pollinated, heirloom, indeterminate, slicing tomato. Suitable for growing in garden plots,...
Eggplant Seeds - Fairy Tale Hybrid
50 days. AAS Winner for 2005. New miniature eggplants are white with violet/purple stripes. The fruit are non-bitter, with a tender skin and few seeds. The elongated, oval eggplants can...
Lettuce Seeds - Leaf - Lollo Rosso
50-70 days. These non-GMO Lollo Rosso lettuce seeds grow into green leaves with red edges that are ready to harvest in 60 days. The Lollo Rosso thrives in full sun...
Pepper Seeds - Hot - Fresno Chili
75-80 Days to maturity (from transplant). Capsicum annuum. Fresno Chili Pepper Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, high yielding, deer resistant, heat tolerant, drought tolerant, hot pepper with medium heat levels....
Watermelon Seeds - Picnic - Moon & Stars (Organic)
95 Days to maturity. Citrullus lanatus. Organic Moon & Stars Watermelon Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, organic, open-pollinated, heirloom, heat tolerant, seeded, picnic watermelon. Suitable for growing in garden plots. These medium-sized...
Gourds Seeds - Large Mix
100-120 days. Lagenaria sp. Mix of many large type Lagenaria gourds. Approximately 255 seeds/oz.; with sprawling vines, gourds require widespread areas for growth; rows can be planted 2 - 3...
Cucumber Seeds - Marketmore 76
67 days. The Marketmore 76 cucumber is a variety of cucumber that is sweet and tender. The Marketmore 76 is dark green and smooth, and grows to be between eight...
Tomato Seeds - Paste - Rio Grande
80 Days to maturity (from transplant). Solanum lycoperscium. Rio Grande Tomato Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, heat tolerant, determinate, paste tomato. Suitable for growing in garden plots, raised beds, and...
Pumpkin Seeds - Jack O Lantern - Organic
Cucurbita pepo. (105 days) This is a pumpkin with lots of great uses. Jack O'Lantern makes a fantastic carving pumpkin for Halloween of course. This pumpkin also divine in soups,...
Hibiscus Seeds - Luna Series
70-84 days to maturity. Hibiscus moscheutos. Hibiscus Luna Series Seeds. Non-GMO, F1 hybrid, perennial. Luna Series hibiscus seeds promise robust and long-lasting blooms to your garden when other flowers can...
Pak Choi Seeds - Extra Dwarf
Cabbage Seeds - Pak Choi - Extra Dwarf. Heirloom, Non-GMO. Annual. Brassica rapa (Chinensis group). 30 days. Cool-warm season. This specialty pak choi variety is smaller than baby pak choi....
Watermelon Seeds - Icebox - Bush Sugar Baby
75 Days to maturity. Citrullus lanatus. Bush Sugar Baby Watermelon Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, heat tolerant, seeded, Icebox watermelon. Suitable for growing in garden plots and large containers (minimum...
Bean Seeds - Bush - Midori Giant Edamame Soybean
80 Days to maturity. Glycine max. Midori Giant Edamame Soybean Bean Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, high-yielding, bush, shell, soybean, Asian bean. Suitable for growing in containers, garden plots, raised...
Petunia Seeds - Prism Sunshine (pelleted)
98-105 Days to maturity. Petunia x hybrida. Prism Sunshine Petunia Seeds. Non-GMO, hybrid, Premium Quality Seeds, annual. Prism Sunshine petunia seeds are a gorgeous and award-winning compliment to any home...
Cucumber Seeds - Armenian Striped
50-75 Days to maturity. Cucumis melo. Armenian Striped Cucumber Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, monoecious, slicing cucumber. Suitable for growing in fields, containers (with support), garden plots, raised beds, and...
Bean Seeds - Bush - Provider (Organic)
50-65 Days to maturity. Phaseolus vulgaris. Organic Provider Bush Bean Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, organic, open-pollinated, heirloom, high yielding, heat tolerant, bush, snap, green bean. Suitable for growing in containers, garden...
[
{
"featured_image": "files/digitalis-foxglove-mixed-seed-wm_700_1222x1222_f124cff4-260a-435d-a204-8cc73a89f425.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/non-gmo-seed-bag-4-oz-sm_e33d6d42-9a19-44a3-b6ae-a401073fa3e8.png",
"price": 299,
"handle": "digitalis-foxglove-mixed-color-flower-seeds",
"title": "Digitalis (Foxglove) Seeds - Mixed Color",
"url": "/products/digitalis-foxglove-mixed-color-flower-seeds",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/alyssum-royal-carpet-seed-wm_700_1222x1222_27e3c9c1-2abb-4024-a3ab-7e47dd054a86.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/non-gmo-seed-bag-1-oz-sm_2b82e41c-26e4-43db-a51b-f10fff44ecd0.png",
"price": 299,
"handle": "alyssum-royal-carpet-flower-seeds",
"title": "Alyssum Seeds - Royal Carpet",
"url": "/products/alyssum-royal-carpet-flower-seeds",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/shasta-daisy-alaska-seeds-flower-seeds-Comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/SeedPouch_68bb3259-6c74-4e67-a16c-e2d9fcb0647a.jpg",
"price": 299,
"handle": "shasta-daisy-alaska-seeds-flower-seeds",
"title": "Shasta Daisy Seeds - Alaska",
"url": "/products/shasta-daisy-alaska-seeds-flower-seeds",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/echinacea-cheyenne-spirit-flower-seeds-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/non-gmo-seed-bag-1-oz-sm_f18bfc3b-bd6f-44fd-956d-85e941220df8.png",
"price": 679,
"handle": "echinacea-cheyenne-spirit-flower-seeds",
"title": "Echinacea Seeds - Cheyenne Spirit",
"url": "/products/echinacea-cheyenne-spirit-flower-seeds",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/pepper-sweet-gypsy-hybrid-seeds-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/Seed_Pouch_1_24657420-7c4c-471f-a9c3-35925f8e5446.jpg",
"price": 369,
"handle": "pepper-sweet-gypsy-hybrid-seeds",
"title": "Pepper Seeds - Sweet - Gypsy Hybrid",
"url": "/products/pepper-sweet-gypsy-hybrid-seeds",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/squash-winter-blue-hubbard-seeds-Comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/non-gmo-sprouting-seed_32a6160b-196f-4979-a99c-125b88eecdcd.jpg",
"price": 299,
"handle": "squash-winter-blue-hubbard-seeds",
"title": "Squash Seeds - Winter - Blue Hubbard",
"url": "/products/squash-winter-blue-hubbard-seeds",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/mustard-red-giant-organic-seeds-Comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/SSC-organic-generic-packet-com_4d2915a2-118c-42da-81f9-2e831b92862f.jpg",
"price": 359,
"handle": "mustard-red-giant-organic-seeds",
"title": "Mustard Seeds - Red Giant (Organic)",
"url": "/products/mustard-red-giant-organic-seeds",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/jericho-lettuce-seeds-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/Seed_Packet_ba7eeb32-7a8e-4965-b509-dd2883f3289e.jpg",
"price": 299,
"handle": "jericho-lettuce-seeds",
"title": "Lettuce Seeds - Jericho",
"url": "/products/jericho-lettuce-seeds",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/Mustard_Tatsoi_Comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "",
"price": 399,
"handle": "mustard-tatsoi-seeds",
"title": "Mustard Seeds - Tatsoi",
"url": "/products/mustard-tatsoi-seeds",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/cauliflower-self-blanche-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/MVS-generic-packet_04685bc6-ed8c-4239-9971-a11ca2e36553.jpg",
"price": 299,
"handle": "cauliflower-self-blanche",
"title": "Cauliflower Seeds - Self-Blanche",
"url": "/products/cauliflower-self-blanche",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/cucumber-seeds-armenian-striped-Comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/MVS-generic-packet-com_0b616f0c-0415-4637-a6f6-8f014b6b515d.jpg",
"price": 299,
"handle": "cucumber-seeds-armenian-striped",
"title": "Cucumber Seeds - Armenian Striped",
"url": "/products/cucumber-seeds-armenian-striped",
"available": false
},
{
"featured_image": "files/eggplant-long-purple-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/non-gmo-seed-bag-sm_9130c7b6-7270-45bb-950b-61040d3ee8d3.png",
"price": 299,
"handle": "eggplant-long-purple",
"title": "Eggplant Seeds - Long Purple",
"url": "/products/eggplant-long-purple",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/onion-seeds-hybrid-yellow-granex-prr-f1-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/Seed_Pouch_1_ecba499e-3058-4869-a99b-9212bd22725d.jpg",
"price": 399,
"handle": "onion-seeds-hybrid-yellow-granex-prr-f1",
"title": "Onion Seeds - Short - Yellow Granex PRR Hybrid",
"url": "/products/onion-seeds-hybrid-yellow-granex-prr-f1",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/zinnia-state-fair-mix-flower-seed-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/non-gmo-sprouting-seed_079ee3c1-e2ea-4086-944f-ff6d50506058.jpg",
"price": 339,
"handle": "zinnia-state-fair-mix-flower-seed",
"title": "Zinnia Seeds - State Fair Mix",
"url": "/products/zinnia-state-fair-mix-flower-seed",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/zinnia-thumbelina-mixture-flower-seed-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/SeedPouch_312c84e1-434b-424c-8ce6-1ebca1e908a2.jpg",
"price": 299,
"handle": "zinnia-thumbelina-mixture-flower-seed",
"title": "Zinnia Seeds - Thumbelina Mixture",
"url": "/products/zinnia-thumbelina-mixture-flower-seed",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/squash-winter-table-king-bush-acorn-seeds-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/non-gmo-seed-bag-1-oz-sm_1_1_bac23bf7-3575-4b52-8661-e0417fe9cb96.png",
"price": 299,
"handle": "squash-winter-table-king-bush-acorn-seeds",
"title": "Squash Seeds - Winter - Table King Bush Acorn",
"url": "/products/squash-winter-table-king-bush-acorn-seeds",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/japanese_red_kuri_squash_wm.jpg",
"secondary_image": "files/KZ_1_lb.jpg",
"price": 399,
"handle": "japanese-red-kuri-squash",
"title": "Squash Seeds - Winter - Japanese Red Kuri (Uchiki Kuri)",
"url": "/products/japanese-red-kuri-squash",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/tomato-seeds-heirloom-blend-organic-Comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/non-gmo-seed-bag-1-lb-com_e6bb42e5-5a55-4eef-84c3-a25dbc34c059.jpg",
"price": 359,
"handle": "tomato-seeds-heirloom-blend-organic",
"title": "Tomato Seeds - Slicing - Heirloom Rainbow Blend (Organic)",
"url": "/products/tomato-seeds-heirloom-blend-organic",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/eggplant-fairy-tale-hybrid-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/non-gmo-seed-bag-1-oz-sm_a317d12d-d640-4b22-aa17-6d2059b4c7de.png",
"price": 409,
"handle": "eggplant-fairy-tale-hybrid",
"title": "Eggplant Seeds - Fairy Tale Hybrid",
"url": "/products/eggplant-fairy-tale-hybrid",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/lettuce-leaf-lolla-rossa-seeds-Comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/non-gmo-sprouting-seed_aa017579-0f4b-4331-adfe-594741647dc4.jpg",
"price": 299,
"handle": "lettuce-leaf-lolla-rossa-seeds",
"title": "Lettuce Seeds - Leaf - Lollo Rosso",
"url": "/products/lettuce-leaf-lolla-rossa-seeds",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/pepper-seeds-hot-fresno-chili-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/MVS-generic-packet_1_199519bc-b072-4421-a40c-fda0b07eceba.jpg",
"price": 299,
"handle": "pepper-seeds-hot-fresno-chili",
"title": "Pepper Seeds - Hot - Fresno Chili",
"url": "/products/pepper-seeds-hot-fresno-chili",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/watermelon-moon-and-stars-organic-seeds-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/non-gmo-seed-bag-sus-wm-comp_4d8fad9a-6240-4c0f-a32a-ce3023a541ff.jpg",
"price": 359,
"handle": "watermelon-moon-and-stars-organic-seeds",
"title": "Watermelon Seeds - Picnic - Moon & Stars (Organic)",
"url": "/products/watermelon-moon-and-stars-organic-seeds",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/gourds-large-mix-seeds-Comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/non-gmo-seed-bag-sm_62b8140b-b411-4961-ae68-d16ee3d6be35.png",
"price": 329,
"handle": "gourds-large-mix-seeds",
"title": "Gourds Seeds - Large Mix",
"url": "/products/gourds-large-mix-seeds",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/organic-provider-bush-bean-seeds-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/SSC-organic-generic-packet-com_2b1eb8d4-1aea-4dd4-a739-b4cd56e483fa.jpg",
"price": 359,
"handle": "organic-provider-bush-bean-seeds",
"title": "Bean Seeds - Bush - Provider (Organic)",
"url": "/products/organic-provider-bush-bean-seeds",
"available": false
},
{
"featured_image": "files/cucumber-76-marketmore-human-Org-Comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/non-gmo-seed-bag-sm_9d53d67a-b3ac-4393-ad33-0dbc9a982d6d.png",
"price": 199,
"handle": "cucumber-marketmore-76",
"title": "Cucumber Seeds - Marketmore 76",
"url": "/products/cucumber-marketmore-76",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/tomato-rio-grande-seeds-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/non-gmo-sprouting-seed_0b71cc3d-5cba-4e5a-b476-1066cbf09ab8.jpg",
"price": 299,
"handle": "tomato-rio-grande-seeds",
"title": "Tomato Seeds - Paste - Rio Grande",
"url": "/products/tomato-rio-grande-seeds",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/organic-jack-olantern-pumpkin-seed-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/SSC-organic-generic-packet-com_609636de-58b5-4ea7-9f5a-2cf005f0b6e7.jpg",
"price": 359,
"handle": "organic-jack-olantern-pumpkin-seed",
"title": "Pumpkin Seeds - Jack O Lantern - Organic",
"url": "/products/organic-jack-olantern-pumpkin-seed",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/hibiscus-luna-series-flower-seeds-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/hibiscus-luna-series-rose-seed-wm_700.jpg",
"price": 1536,
"handle": "hibiscus-luna-series-flower-seeds",
"title": "Hibiscus Seeds - Luna Series",
"url": "/products/hibiscus-luna-series-flower-seeds",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/cabbage-seeds-pak-choi-extra-dwarf-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/non-gmo-seed-bag-premium_d75af865-97c5-4ded-87af-64a7c84d1b14.png",
"price": 399,
"handle": "cabbage-seeds-pak-choi-extra-dwarf",
"title": "Pak Choi Seeds - Extra Dwarf",
"url": "/products/cabbage-seeds-pak-choi-extra-dwarf",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/bush-sugar-baby-watermelon-Comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/Seed_Packet_04ea808d-3269-4318-81f3-1502a9f9904e.jpg",
"price": 299,
"handle": "bush-sugar-baby-watermelon",
"title": "Watermelon Seeds - Icebox - Bush Sugar Baby",
"url": "/products/bush-sugar-baby-watermelon",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/soybean-midori-giant-eda-mame-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/non-gmo-seed-bag-premium_42c9ed4b-1d7e-4bbc-a718-93f5d752fb36.png",
"price": 399,
"handle": "soybean-midori-giant-eda-mame",
"title": "Bean Seeds - Bush - Midori Giant Edamame Soybean",
"url": "/products/soybean-midori-giant-eda-mame",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/1747759826_petunia_prism_sunshine_pelleted_comp_6a8432dc-0766-4aaa-bd78-559dc87cfd8b.jpg",
"secondary_image": "files/petunia-prism-sunshine-pelleted-flower-seeds-comp.jpg",
"price": 299,
"handle": "petunia-prism-sunshine-pelleted-flower-seeds",
"title": "Petunia Seeds - Prism Sunshine (pelleted)",
"url": "/products/petunia-prism-sunshine-pelleted-flower-seeds",
"available": true
}
]
