Vegetable Planting Dates in Phoenix

The city of Phoenix, Arizona is located in the low desert region of the state. The climate is mild, with January being the coldest month, though temperatures rarely dip below freezing. In the summer months, however, temperatures soar to 110 degrees F and higher. This temperate climate makes for an extended growing season, allowing you to grow vegetables almost year-round.

Spring

Plant artichokes, asparagus, and broccoli transplants early in February. Add Swiss chard, collard greens and leaf lettuces, as well as onion, spinach and turnips to your garden.

Near the end of February and into early March, plant melons, squash, peppers and tomatoes. Snap beans, corn and cucumber seeds should go into the ground as well.

In April, plant summer squashes, such as zucchini and yellow squash, as well as carrots and radishes.

Come May, the temperatures are starting to climb. Plant seeds for okra, melons and black-eyed peas.

Summer

In June, nurse the plants that are producing through the heat and prepare your garden for summer by setting up sunshades to protect your summer seedlings.

Plant seeds for winter squashes, such as pumpkin and butternut in July. Both sweet and hot peppers transplants should go into the garden as well, but provide shade for the young plants.

At the end of August, seed for eggplant, melon, snap beans and broccoli.

Fall

September is a busy month in the garden as you prepare for your winter crops. Add fresh compost to any areas where the plants have been cut back.

Plant seeds for leafy greens, cucumbers and eggplant in late September and again in October. This allows you to take advantage of the still-warm weather of early November; you can continue to harvest vegetables into December and January by planting the seeds in successive plantings.

In November and December, seed for beets, carrots, collard greens and watermelon. Add broccoli seeds and transplants to harvest in early spring, before the temperatures begin to rise.

Successive Planting

Take advantage of successive planting during the long growing season. If you plant seedlings or transplants, also add seeds to the garden. When you are harvesting vegetables from the original seedlings or transplants, the fruits of the seeded plants will still be in the maturation stage. You will, effectively, have multiple harvests.