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Arizona Garden in May

The heat brings with it important garden tasks – mulching and providing shade are two of the most important to help the garden survive the summer.

Keep reading for garden inspiration, a May garden checklist, and a list of which vegetables, herbs, and flowers to plant in your low desert Arizona garden in May.

Low desert includes elevations below 3500 ft in the Southwest, such as the Phoenix and Tucson metro areas.

Arizona Garden in May. The low desert of Arizona includes cities in and around Phoenix, including Glendale, Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Mesa, Tempe, Chandler, Gilbert, Peoria, Apache Junction, Buckeye, Fountain Hills, Tolleson, Surprise, Sun City, Queen Creek, and Goodyear.

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What to do in your low desert Arizona garden during May


What grows in low desert Arizona gardens in May? I’ll show you. All of these pictures come from my garden in Mesa, Arizona. Although the temperatures are beginning to climb, May in the Arizona garden is one of the most beautiful and productive times.

Arizona Garden in May. The low desert of Arizona includes cities in and around Phoenix, including Glendale, Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Mesa, Tempe, Chandler, Gilbert, Peoria, Apache Junction, Buckeye, Fountain Hills, Tolleson, Surprise, Sun City, Queen Creek, and Goodyear.

“It was such a pleasure to sink one’s hands into the warm earth, to feel at one’s fingertips the possibilities of the new season.”

~ Kate Morton, The Forgotten Garden

What to Grow and Plant Arizona Garden #arizonagarden #arizona #garden #garden The low desert of Arizona includes cities in and around Phoenix, including Glendale, Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Mesa, Tempe, Chandler, Gilbert, Peoria, Apache Junction, Buckeye, Fountain Hills, Tolleson, Surprise, Sun City, Queen Creek, and Goodyear.

Vegetables growing in the low desert Arizona garden in May


Arizona Garden in May

May is an excellent month for tomato harvests. Because of the heat of Arizona summers, we have a short growing season. 

Tomato varieties highly recommended for Arizona include Punta BandaCelebrityPearson, and Cherokee Purple.


Arizona Garden in May

Summer squash grows quickly. What is small one day is often ready to harvest the next day. Summer squash tastes best when small and tender. Harvest squash when fruits are 4-6 inches long.


Arizona garden in May

Cucumbers grow best with a long warm (but not hot) growing season. To overcome the challenges of growing cucumbers in Arizona, the key is to plant cucumbers early in the season and plant short-season varieties, such as the Collier cucumber pictured here that will ripen before the hottest days of summer.


Arizona garden in May

Harvest beans when they are small and tender. As beans mature, they lose flavor, and the pods begin to bulge with seeds. This signals the plant to stop producing.


What to Grow and Plant Arizona Garden #arizonagarden #arizona #garden #garden The low desert of Arizona includes cities in and around Phoenix, including Glendale, Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Mesa, Tempe, Chandler, Gilbert, Peoria, Apache Junction, Buckeye, Fountain Hills, Tolleson, Surprise, Sun City, Queen Creek, and Goodyear.

Tips for growing flowers in the low desert Arizona garden in May


In Arizona, plant sunflowers from February through July to enjoy the blooms nearly year-round. Pops of yellow flowers brighten up a summer yard.

Learning how to grow sunflowers is an easy way to add color and variety to a summer garden and yard.


Arizona garden in May
  • Plant red salvia in September and October and again from March to May.
  • Blooms from April through December.
  • Cut back spent blooms to encourage branching and more flowers. 
  • Read this post for more information about growing red salvia and other flowers that love hot summers. 

Arizona garden in May

Hollyhocks put on a show in late April through June. Enjoy the prolific blooms. Save seeds to spread around your yard and share with friends. 


Perpetual Flower Planting Calendar for Zone 9B

Flowers to Plant Outside & Seeds to Start Indoors Each Month in the Low Desert of Arizona.
PLANTING GUIDE: Each month lists annual flowers and bulbs to plant outside & seeds to start indoors.
BLOOMING GUIDE: Photos show what may be in bloom that month.


What to Grow and Plant Arizona Garden #arizonagarden #arizona #garden #garden The low desert of Arizona includes cities in and around Phoenix, including Glendale, Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Mesa, Tempe, Chandler, Gilbert, Peoria, Apache Junction, Buckeye, Fountain Hills, Tolleson, Surprise, Sun City, Queen Creek, and Goodyear.

Fruit trees in the low desert Arizona garden in May

Arizona Garden in May

Arizona Garden in May

Some varieties of apricots ripen this month. Pick them just before they are ripe to prevent the birds from getting them first. 


Arizona Garden in May

May in Arizona means mulberry, blackberry, and strawberry harvests. To prevent strawberries from drying out, water strawberries regularly during May. Blackberries are sweetest when “dull black”. 


Peaches in Arizona garden in May

The early-ripening varieties of peaches are often ready to harvest this month. 

If you notice the birds are beginning to peck it, harvest the fruit a little early and let it continue to ripen on the counter. 


What to Grow and Plant Arizona Garden #arizonagarden #arizona #garden #garden The low desert of Arizona includes cities in and around Phoenix, including Glendale, Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Mesa, Tempe, Chandler, Gilbert, Peoria, Apache Junction, Buckeye, Fountain Hills, Tolleson, Surprise, Sun City, Queen Creek, and Goodyear.

Herbs in the low desert Arizona garden in May


Arizona Garden in August #arizonagardening #arizonagarden #augustgarden #gardening #gardenlist

Basil is back in the garden this month. Continue to plant basil from seed, and set out transplants this month. Keep basil cut back to ensure full plants and plenty of basil. This post shares a favorite harvesting tip for basil. 


Arizona Garden in October #gardening #garden #arizonagarden #octobergarden #gardeninginarizona #desertgarden

Bay Laurel – Always dry bay leaves before using. The bitter-tasting compounds in the fresh leaves are lost in drying.


Lemon balm in Arizona garden in May

Lemon Balm (in the Mint family) loves the warmer temperatures of May. Hopefully, frost-damaged or woody growth was pruned in March, and new growth is filling in. 

The new tender leaves are the most flavorful. Keep tips pruned to encourage production. 


Arizona Garden in May to-do list:

Arizona Garden in May

Planting:

Arizona Garden in May
  • Plant container-grown roses this month on the north or east sides of the yard that receives afternoon shade in the summer.
  • It is ok to plant summer flowering shrubs. Do not over-plant; be aware of the mature size of the plant and space accordingly.
  • Get warm-season annuals planted this month. 
  • Start seeds indoors this month for a monsoon planting of tomatoes. 
  • Harvest garlic and onions this month. 

Watering:

Arizona Garden in May
  • Do not overwater or underwater this month. Both are harmful to plants. 
  • Check the irrigation system and timer. Run the system, and inspect all drips and sprinklers for leaks and proper watering. 
  • As temperatures heat up, annual plants will need more frequent watering. Water to a depth of about 6 inches every 2-3 days; allow the top of the soil to dry out before watering again. 
  • Check containers with a moisture meter or ensure the top inch or so of soil has dried out before watering. 
  • Established citrus trees should be watered once every 7-10 days to a 2-3 feet depth. 
  • Water established fruit trees every 3-5 days to a 2-3 feet depth.
  • Grape vines need deep watering every five days. 
  • Wateruseitwisely.com is a helpful resource for landscape watering guidelines. 

Pruning:

Arizona Garden in May
  • Deadhead annual warm-season flowers such as coreopsis, gaillardia, marigold, and cosmos to extend bloom. 
  • Light pruning of dead branches from trees and shrubs is okay. Delay heavy pruning until later in the fall.   
  • Minor citrus pruning is okay; delay heavy pruning until later in the fall. 
  • Do not prune newly-planted trees or shrubs. 
  • Cut back (slightly) spring-flowering perennials. 
  • Pinch back summer-flowering perennials to encourage blooms. 
  • Prune suckers of tomato plants, and pinch back basil often to keep it from flowering. 

Fertilizing:

Arizona Garden in May


Yard to do and clean-up:

Arizona Garden in May. The low desert of Arizona includes cities in and around Phoenix, including Glendale, Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Mesa, Tempe, Chandler, Gilbert, Peoria, Apache Junction, Buckeye, Fountain Hills, Tolleson, Surprise, Sun City, Queen Creek, and Goodyear.
  • Clean up fallen fruit from deciduous trees and citrus trees to discourage pests and disease. 
  • Provide support for grapevines. Check the underside of grape leaves for skeletonizer eggs; if found, remove and destroy eggs. If you see caterpillars, use Bt to control them before they overtake grapevines. 
  • Continue to thin fruit on deciduous fruit trees. This article helps explain the process. 
  • Prune suckers (shoots growing straight up below the bud union) on citrus and other fruit trees. 
  • Remove spent winter-growing annuals.
  • Thin warm-season annuals to keep plants from overcrowding each other. 
  • Clean up and remove dead or damaged wood and crossing branches on citrusDelay major pruning on citrus until later in the fall. 
  • Apply a 3-6 inch layer of mulch around the base of shrubs, trees, annuals, and vegetables.
  • Mulching reduces soil temperatures and adds organic matter to the soil. 
  • Provide shade for annual vegetables with shade cloth or plant in areas that receive afternoon shade.
  • Harvest garlic when the lower 3-4 leaves brown. Dig up a test bulb to check on size. Once pulled, let the garlic lie in bed for a day to dry out. Store in a dry shady spot to dry for two weeks. Store in a cool, dry location. Use some and save the largest bulbs to plant in the fall. 
  • Harvest I’itoi onions this month. Store in a dry, shady spot for a week or two. Store in a dry, cool location. Use some and save some to plant in the fall. 

What to plant in your low desert Arizona garden in May

Before planting:


Vegetables, herbs & fruit to plant in the low desert in May

Arizona Garden in May

(Click the link to read “How to Grow” articles on my website.)

SEED, TRANSPLANT, OR BOTH? S = Seed / T= Transplant


Vegetable Planting Guide: A Visual Planting Guide for Low Desert Vegetables

Arizona Vegetable Planting Guide helps you learn when to plant vegetables in Arizona and whether to plant seeds or transplants.


Vegetable, herb & fruit seeds to start indoors in May

Arizona Garden in May

(Click the link for seed sources.)

Perpetual Herb, Fruit & Vegetable Planting Calendar Zone 9b
  • PLANTING GUIDE: Each month lists vegetables, fruit & herbs to plant outside & seeds to start indoors.
  • HARVEST GUIDE: Photos show what may be ready to harvest that month.
  • Planting dates are for the low desert of Arizona (zone 9b).

Seed Box Labels with planting dates for vegetables and flowers


Flowers to plant in the low desert in May

(Click the link to read “How to Grow” articles on my website.)

Angelonia (T)

Celosia (T)

Coleus (T)

Coreopsis (ST)

Cosmos (S)

Cosmos (yellow) (S)

Creeping Zinnia* thru the 15th (ST)

Dusty Miller (T)

Four O’Clock (S)

Gomphrena (T)

Impatiens (T)

Lisianthus (T)

Marigold (ST)

Portulaca / Moss Rose (ST)

Purslane (ST)

Rain Lily (bulb)

Salvia* thru the 15th (T)

Sunflower (S)

Tithonia* thru the 15th (S)

Vinca (T)

Zinnia (ST)

SEED, TRANSPLANT, OR BOTH? S = Seed / T= Transplant


Flower seeds to start indoors in the low desert in May

Arizona Garden in May

(Click the link for seed sources.)


Perpetual Flower Planting Calendar for Zone 9B

Flowers to Plant Outside & Seeds to Start Indoors Each Month in the Low Desert of Arizona.
PLANTING GUIDE: Each month lists annual flowers and bulbs to plant outside & seeds to start indoors.
BLOOMING GUIDE: Photos show what may be in bloom that month.


Arizona annual flowers planting guide helps you learn when to plant flowers in Arizona and whether to plant seeds or transplants.


How to grow a vegetable garden in Arizona #arizonagardening #arizonagarden #desertgardening #hotweathergarden #howtogarden

Would you like more information about gardening in Arizona? This blog post shares 7 tips for growing a vegetable garden in Arizona


Was this post about gardening in Arizona during May helpful? Please share it:


Jeanette

Sunday 21st of May 2023

What types of lettuce or salad greens can be grown in summer besides kale and spinach?

Dee

Saturday 7th of May 2022

I am new to gardening and I really appreciate all your helpful information. Thank you.

Mariko

Friday 1st of May 2020

I am so glad I found your website. It is, by far, the most helpful resource for me here in my AZ garden. Thank you!

Angela Judd

Friday 1st of May 2020

I am so glad it's helpful. Thank you so much for letting me know.

Cindy Osborn

Friday 1st of May 2020

Thanks for all your helpful information! It is greatly appreciated. Quick question for you; where can one find straw for mulching? I have used cedar chips, and wood chips, but both break down very slowly. I want to try straw. Happy gardening!

Anna

Sunday 1st of May 2022

@Cindy Osborn, if you have a Tractor Supply near you they have it available.

Angela Judd

Friday 1st of May 2020

Straw is a great option and it cools the soil very well. Unfortunately, I don't have a local source to recommend. Check with local farmers or even online on apps such as offer-up. Best of luck with your garden!