When to Plant in Phoenix, AZ

Phoenix's low desert climate turns the gardening calendar completely upside down. Summer temperatures regularly reach 110–115°F, making vegetable gardening essentially impossible from June through August. The prime growing seasons are fall through spring — the opposite of most of the country.

Phoenix gardeners operate in two main windows: a fall-to-spring garden from September through May, and a very limited spring garden that must be timed carefully to get crops in before the intense heat arrives. Winter gardening is actually excellent in Phoenix.

What to plant now in Phoenix

Fall: Plant warm-season crops in September before it cools too much; then cool-season crops from October.
Winter: Best growing season — tomatoes (early), all cool-season crops, and herbs.
Spring: Plant warm-season crops early before summer heat arrives.
Summer: Most vegetables are impossible. Grow heat-tolerant ornamentals only.

In Phoenix (300 frost-free days, a very long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.

Month by month in Phoenix

Month	What to do
January	Peak winter garden. Start spring tomato seeds indoors. Excellent for all cool-season crops.
February	Continue cool-season harvest. Transplant spring tomatoes and peppers outdoors.
March	Plant spring warm-season crops. Last chance before heat arrives.
April	Heat building. Harvest spring crops before they bolt.
May	Summer approaching. Only heat-tolerant crops possible late in month.
June	Too hot for most vegetables. Monsoon season begins.
July	Peak summer heat (110°F+). Rest the garden.
August	Still hot. Monsoon rains. Prepare beds for fall planting.
September	Begin fall planting. Plant heat-tolerant crops early in month.
October	Full fall garden: tomatoes, peppers, squash, beans, and cool-season crops.
November	Excellent growing conditions. Plant broccoli, kale, and lettuce.
December	Prime cool-season growing. Harvest abundantly.

Frost dates for Phoenix ZIP codes

ZIP	Last spring frost (50%)	First fall frost (50%)	Zone
85032	February 6	December 13	9b

FAQ

When is the last frost date in Phoenix, AZ?

Phoenix rarely freezes — the average last frost date is around February 8, and many years see no frost at all. But summer heat (110°F+) is the real growing season limiter.

When should I plant tomatoes in Phoenix?

Plant fall tomatoes in September–October for a December–February harvest. Plant spring tomatoes in January–February for an April–May harvest before summer heat arrives.

Can I garden year-round in Phoenix?

Almost — the exception is June through August when temperatures regularly exceed 110°F, making most vegetable gardening impossible. The fall-winter-spring season is excellent.

What's the best season to garden in Phoenix?

The November–February winter garden is Phoenix's finest — cool, dry weather produces excellent tomatoes (planted in fall), broccoli, kale, lettuce, carrots, and all cool-season crops.

How does Plan My Garden help Phoenix gardeners?

Enter your Phoenix zip code and we'll build a planting schedule tuned to the low desert's inverted growing calendar.