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]()
Bean Seeds - Pole - Qing Bain
50-55 Days to maturity. Phaseolus vulgaris. Qing Bian Pole Bean Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, drought tolerant, pole, snap, romano, Asian bean. Suitable for growing in containers, garden plots, raised...
Squash Seeds - Summer - Crookneck (Organic)
Ready in about 58 days, Organic Summer Crookneck Squash is perfect for the summer garden. Bumpy skin highlights a yellow fleshy squash. When the fruit is 5-6 inches long, it...
Kale Seeds - Lacinato (Black Tuscan)
65-80 days. Brassica oleracea var. sabellica. Lacinato Kale Seeds. Also known as Black Tuscan Kale or Dinosaur Kale. This is a popular variety for making soups and kale chips. This...
Chinese Cabbage - Sprouting Seeds
These Chinese Cabbage Seeds (Micchinni Cabbage) taste like Chinese Cabbage when sprouted and are an excellent change of pace from more traditional sprouting seed. Try making these sprouts into a...
Melon Seeds - Honeydew - Green Flesh
105 Days to maturity. Cucumis melo. Green Flesh Honeydew Melon Seeds. A non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, heat-tolerant Honeydew Melon. Suitable for growing in containers, garden plots, raised beds, and greenhouses....
Radish - Red Arrow - Microgreens Seeds
6-10 days. The Red Arrow radish microgreen has a lovely contrast of color, with the spice that we are accustomed to with radish. The rosy stems and bright flavor add...
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...
Corn Seeds - Flint - Hopi Blue
100 Days to maturity. Zea mays. Blue Hopi Corn Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, Flint and Flour Corn. Suitable for growing in garden plots or raised beds. Corn tolerates heat...
Wildflower Seeds - Bee Friendly Mix
Grow a delightful, charming wildflower garden with our Bee Friendly Wildflower Mix. Features 19 wild flower varieties such as coneflower plants for pollination, alyssum flower seeds, poppy seeds, and lupine...
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...
Celery Seeds - Golden Self Blanching
Non-GMO Golden Self-Blanching Celery Seeds from True Leaf Market are a stocky, resistant heirloom celery variety. The open-pollinated, upright celery produces thick, string-free stalks that are crisp and rich. As...
Kohlrabi Seeds - Purple Vienna
Non-GMO, Heirloom Purple Vienna seeds produce kohlrabi with purple bulbs and a light green interior. The flavor is mild, resembling the taste of a turnip. This unusual looking vegetable comes...
Tomato Seeds - Cherry - Sunsugar Hybrid
62 Days to maturity (from transplant). Solanum lycoperscium. Sunsugar Hybrid Tomato Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, F1 hybrid, indeterminate, cherry tomato. Suitable for growing in garden plots, raised beds, greenhouses, and containers....
Onion Seeds - Intermediate - Candy Hybrid
85 Days to maturity. Allium cepa ‘Candy’. Candy Onion Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, hybrid, bulbing, intermediate-day onion. Suitable for growing in greenhouses, garden plots, and raised beds. Resistant to Pink Root...
Tomato Seeds - Slicing - Big Beef Hybrid
73 Days to maturity (from transplant). Solanum lycopersicum. Big Beef Hybrid Tomato Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, F1 hybrid, AAS winner 1994, heat tolerant, drought tolerant, indeterminate, slicing tomato. Suitable for growing...
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,...
Bean Seeds - Pole - Winged Bean
80-100 Days to maturity. Psophocarpus tetragonolobus. Winged Bean Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, heirloom, open-pollinated, heat-tolerant, pole, snap, Asian, specialty bean. Suitable for growing in containers, garden plots, raised beds, and greenhouses....
Pea Seeds - Shelling - Green Arrow (Organic)
65-75 Days to maturity. Pisum sativum. Organic Green Arrow Pea Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, treated pea seeds. Long, slim, 4.5-inch pods grow in pairs on strong 28-inch vines. Suitable...
Mixed Greens - Mesclun Mix - Microgreens Seeds
10-14 days. A wonderful collection of greens of differing in color, texture and flavor. The mix includes: Arugula, kale, mustard, swiss chard, endive, and lettuce. Select a Different Use for...
Lettuce Seeds - Summer Bibb
Lactuca sativa (43 days) Summer bibb is a fabulous tasting lettuce that is crisp, clean and easy to grow. This lettuce has ornamental light green leaves that are dotted with...
Buckwheat - Whole (Organic) - Sprouting Seeds
7-10 Days to Harvest. Fagopyrum esculentum. Organic Buckwheat Whole Sprouting Seeds. Organic. Non-GMO. Sprouting. Excellent Germination Rate. Organic Buckwheat Whole Seeds can be a somewhat challenging grain to sprout but...
Sunflower Seeds - Dwarf Sunspot
65-80 Days to maturity. Helianthus annuus. Dwarf Sunspot Sunflower Seeds: Non-GMO. Open Pollinated. Ornamental. Annual. Heirloom. Dwarf Sunspot sunflower seeds grow the ideal compact alternative to summer's tallest and most...
Pumpkin Seeds - Howden
Non-GMO, Heirloom Howden Pumpkin Seeds. 115 days. Uniform 15 to 25 pound, deep round, symmetrical fruits with a thick, hard, rich-orange shell and extra-thick flesh for fine Jack O' Lanterns....
Pepper Seeds - Hot - Jalapeno M
70-80 Days to maturity (from transplant). Capsicum annuum. Jalapeno M Pepper Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, heirloom, open-pollinated, hot-type pepper with medium heat levels. 2,500 to 5,000 Scoville Heat Units. Suitable for...
Beet Seeds - Ruby Queen
52 days. The Ruby Queen beet is a variety that does very well in poor soils. It produces uniform, round globes and short tops. The leaves grow to be green...
Gourds Seeds - Luffa Sponge
100+ days. 12 to 18 inches fruits are dried and seeded to make durable sponges. Approximately 320 seeds/oz. Luffa Gourd seeds yield green gourds that can be used for making...
Artichoke Seeds - Green Globe
110-150 days. Artichoke Gardening Seeds. Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus. Perennial. Heirloom. Non-GMO. Native to the Mediterranean, Green Globe artichoke seeds have been grown for decades, and their fruits were eaten...
Sunflower Seeds - All Sorts Mixture
90-110 days. All Sorts Mix sunflower seeds grow one of the most spectacular, vibrant, and unique pairings of color and size in this blend of summertime classics. All Sorts Mix...
[
{
"featured_image": "files/Bean-Seeds-Pole-Qing-Bain-Romano-Type-Comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/non-gmo-seed-bag-premium_e9f2c96c-0d4e-4857-bb45-63c6141747f2.png",
"price": 399,
"handle": "bean-seeds-pole-quing-bain-romano-type",
"title": "Bean Seeds - Pole - Qing Bain",
"url": "/products/bean-seeds-pole-quing-bain-romano-type",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/Artichoke-Seeds-Green-Globe-Comp_3d80b287-d1b2-4c72-a0ad-b2fe01dc0fce.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/non-gmo-seed-bag-sm_d13aa425-b97f-4cfa-8415-3bf5989ccda2.png",
"price": 299,
"handle": "artichoke-green-globe",
"title": "Artichoke Seeds - Green Globe",
"url": "/products/artichoke-green-globe",
"available": false
},
{
"featured_image": "files/squash-summer-crookneck-organic-seeds-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/SSC-organic-generic-packet-com_9f251955-20ef-4ca4-a1d2-66911c9fa102.jpg",
"price": 359,
"handle": "squash-summer-crookneck-organic-seeds",
"title": "Squash Seeds - Summer - Crookneck (Organic)",
"url": "/products/squash-summer-crookneck-organic-seeds",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/kale-lacinato-seeds-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/SeedPouch_2c83e201-7091-4a54-83c8-57824d7de359.jpg",
"price": 299,
"handle": "kale-lacinato-seeds",
"title": "Kale Seeds - Lacinato (Black Tuscan)",
"url": "/products/kale-lacinato-seeds",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/Radish-Seeds-Microgreen-Sango-Purple-Organic-Comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "",
"price": 399,
"handle": "radish-sango-purple-organic-seeds",
"title": "Radish Seeds - Microgreen - Sango Purple (Organic)",
"url": "/products/radish-sango-purple-organic-seeds",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/sunflower-all-sorts-mixture-flower-seed-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/Seed_Packet_1_2_3f1b9c29-8b6c-4c23-b35f-de2084280b23.jpg",
"price": 299,
"handle": "sunflower-all-sorts-mixture-flower-seed",
"title": "Sunflower Seeds - All Sorts Mixture",
"url": "/products/sunflower-all-sorts-mixture-flower-seed",
"available": false
},
{
"featured_image": "files/Chinese-Cabbage-Sprouting-Seeds-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/chinese-cabbage-4-oz-sm.jpg",
"price": 538,
"handle": "chinese-cabbage-sprouting-seeds",
"title": "Chinese Cabbage - Sprouting Seeds",
"url": "/products/chinese-cabbage-sprouting-seeds",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/melon-honeydew-green-flesh-seeds-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/SeedPouch_b65036b5-3372-46fc-952c-3ce9602442e6.jpg",
"price": 299,
"handle": "melon-honeydew-green-flesh-seeds",
"title": "Melon Seeds - Honeydew - Green Flesh",
"url": "/products/melon-honeydew-green-flesh-seeds",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/1674162732_CopyofKItazawa-WM-Green_600x600px_38_1222x1222_6ecb07d8-7da0-4fb4-9708-619458a257b2.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/1674162731_CopyofKItazawa-WM-Green_600x600px_39.jpg",
"price": 724,
"handle": "radish-red-arrow-microgreens-seeds",
"title": "Radish - Red Arrow - Microgreens Seeds",
"url": "/products/radish-red-arrow-microgreens-seeds",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/yarrow-white-seed-wm_700_1222x1222_b5eff7ab-4945-4305-9818-c15aa270ed35.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/non-gmo-seed-bag-4-oz-sm_fa41beaa-a4aa-4c00-a4d5-fdc16ca1daf1.png",
"price": 299,
"handle": "yarrow-white-seeds",
"title": "Achillea Seeds - White Yarrow",
"url": "/products/yarrow-white-seeds",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/corn-ornamental-blue-hopi-comp_1.jpg",
"secondary_image": "",
"price": 329,
"handle": "corn-ornamental-blue-hopi",
"title": "Corn Seeds - Flint - Hopi Blue",
"url": "/products/corn-ornamental-blue-hopi",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/save_the_bees_collage.jpg",
"secondary_image": "files/save_the_bees_person.jpg",
"price": 997,
"handle": "wildflower-seeds-save-the-bees",
"title": "Wildflower Seeds - Bee Friendly Mix",
"url": "/products/wildflower-seeds-save-the-bees",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/basil-thai-seeds-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/1673460367_CopyofKitazawa-WM-White_600x600px_8.jpg",
"price": 199,
"handle": "basil-thai-seeds",
"title": "Basil Seeds - Thai",
"url": "/products/basil-thai-seeds",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/celery-seeds-golden-self-blanching-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/Seed_Pouch_b299afff-36b0-4732-8330-beae6f37bf9c_3.jpg",
"price": 299,
"handle": "celery-seeds-golden-self-blanching",
"title": "Celery Seeds - Golden Self Blanching",
"url": "/products/celery-seeds-golden-self-blanching",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/lettuce-cimmaron-microgreens-wm_700_1222x1222_434d3eaf-44b1-47f9-8f89-c27521256da3.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/lettuce-cimmaron-seeds-wm_700.jpg",
"price": 712,
"handle": "lettuce-romaine-cimmaron-microgreens-seeds",
"title": "Lettuce Romaine - Cimmaron - Microgreens Seeds",
"url": "/products/lettuce-romaine-cimmaron-microgreens-seeds",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/Kohlrabi-Seeds-Purple-Vienna-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/Seed_Pouch_1_5ba47a10-4e4a-4876-b59d-96ad98619095.jpg",
"price": 299,
"handle": "kohlrabi-purple-vienna-seeds",
"title": "Kohlrabi Seeds - Purple Vienna",
"url": "/products/kohlrabi-purple-vienna-seeds",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/tomato-sunsugar-hybrid-seeds-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/Seed_Pouch_1_1_2_b24d2594-0b47-4018-8003-a58ba3cf6c9c.jpg",
"price": 469,
"handle": "tomato-sunsugar-hybrid-seeds",
"title": "Tomato Seeds - Cherry - Sunsugar Hybrid",
"url": "/products/tomato-sunsugar-hybrid-seeds",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/onion-candy-hybrid-seeds-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/SeedPouch_aab581dc-0988-4d63-ad50-94ce0b7fc684.jpg",
"price": 399,
"handle": "onion-candy-hybrid-seeds",
"title": "Onion Seeds - Intermediate - Candy Hybrid",
"url": "/products/onion-candy-hybrid-seeds",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/tomato-big-beef-seed-wm_700_1222x1222_b293e501-2cc1-456b-b449-13066cb2a814.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/SeedPouch_50effe7f-df1c-45b6-b83a-c0addfa170c7.jpg",
"price": 439,
"handle": "tomato-big-beef-hybrid-seeds",
"title": "Tomato Seeds - Slicing - Big Beef Hybrid",
"url": "/products/tomato-big-beef-hybrid-seeds",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/Culinary-Herb-Collection-10-Pack-Collage-Comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "files/Culinary-Herb-Collection-10-Seed--With-Pellets-Comp.jpg",
"price": 1778,
"handle": "heirloom-seed-collections-sustainable-herb-collection",
"title": "Culinary Herb Seeds Collection",
"url": "/products/heirloom-seed-collections-sustainable-herb-collection",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/Wild-Arugula-Herb-Seeds-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/SeedPouch_53550a88-fce5-462b-ab61-4c2c8006ccce.jpg",
"price": 329,
"handle": "arugula-seeds-wild",
"title": "Wild Arugula - Herb Seeds",
"url": "/products/arugula-seeds-wild",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/Bean-Winged-Comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/non-gmo-seed-bag-premium_a99a680b-7eb5-4afe-939f-d513d1eb872a.png",
"price": 399,
"handle": "winged-bean-seeds",
"title": "Bean Seeds - Pole - Winged Bean",
"url": "/products/winged-bean-seeds",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/organic-green-arrow-pea-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/SSC-organic-generic-packet-com_42cec4ac-54e0-4b58-9e47-781216a82937.jpg",
"price": 359,
"handle": "organic-green-arrow-pea",
"title": "Pea Seeds - Shelling - Green Arrow (Organic)",
"url": "/products/organic-green-arrow-pea",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/Lettuce-Mixed-Greens-Mesclun-Comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/mesclun-mixed-greens-seeds-wm_700.jpg",
"price": 769,
"handle": "lettuce-mixed-greens-mesclun-mix-microgreens-seeds",
"title": "Mixed Greens - Mesclun Mix - Microgreens Seeds",
"url": "/products/lettuce-mixed-greens-mesclun-mix-microgreens-seeds",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "products/lettuce-summer-bibb-com-wm.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/summer-bibb-lettuce-com-wm.jpg",
"price": 299,
"handle": "bibb-lettuce-seed",
"title": "Lettuce Seeds - Summer Bibb",
"url": "/products/bibb-lettuce-seed",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/Buckwheat-Whole-Organic-Sprouting-Seeds-Comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/whole-buckwheat-up-close-wm_700.jpg",
"price": 569,
"handle": "organic-whole-buckwheat-sprouting-seeds",
"title": "Buckwheat - Whole (Organic) - Sprouting Seeds",
"url": "/products/organic-whole-buckwheat-sprouting-seeds",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/sunflower-sunspot-flower-seed-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/SeedPouch_f8647d9c-3860-4261-9dfa-2851dcba906b.jpg",
"price": 299,
"handle": "sunflower-sunspot-flower-seed",
"title": "Sunflower Seeds - Dwarf Sunspot",
"url": "/products/sunflower-sunspot-flower-seed",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/pumpkin-howden-seeds-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/SeedPouch_1cdc89c8-b86b-497b-adae-cff03f35d368.jpg",
"price": 359,
"handle": "pumpkin-howden-seeds",
"title": "Pumpkin Seeds - Howden",
"url": "/products/pumpkin-howden-seeds",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/jalapeno-m-seeds-wm_700_1222x1222_4d011ea0-3352-4e4b-9bae-a53b02af166f.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/non-gmo-sprouting-seed_d53cc084-daf3-4129-bc86-e8065276bbe1.jpg",
"price": 309,
"handle": "pepper-hot-jalapeno-m-seeds",
"title": "Pepper Seeds - Hot - Jalapeno M",
"url": "/products/pepper-hot-jalapeno-m-seeds",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/Turnip-Purple-Top-White-Globe-Microgreens-Seeds-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/turnip-purple-top-white-globe-seeds-wm_700.jpg",
"price": 555,
"handle": "turnip-purple-top-white-globe-microgreens-seeds",
"title": "Turnip - Purple Top White Globe - Microgreens Seeds",
"url": "/products/turnip-purple-top-white-globe-microgreens-seeds",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/beet-ruby-queen-seeds-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/MVS-generic-packet_af935fa5-0bd3-455a-852d-b794e84a967a.jpg",
"price": 299,
"handle": "beet-ruby-queen-seeds",
"title": "Beet Seeds - Ruby Queen",
"url": "/products/beet-ruby-queen-seeds",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/Gourds-Seeds-Luffa-Sponge-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "",
"price": 399,
"handle": "gourds-luffa-sponge-seeds",
"title": "Gourds Seeds - Luffa Sponge",
"url": "/products/gourds-luffa-sponge-seeds",
"available": true
}
]
