Are you wondering about low desert Arizona gardening in July? These pictures come from my garden in Mesa, Arizona, this month. Gardening in Arizona in July can be difficult; planting the right plants in the right location at the right time and watering them correctly is critical for success. Read my “Ultimate Guide for a Summer Garden in Arizona” for more hot weather gardening tips.
Low desert includes elevations below 3500 ft in the Southwest, such as the Phoenix and Tucson metro areas.
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Low Desert Arizona Gardening in July
Gardens grow year-round in many parts of Arizona, but it’s essential to know when to plant to ensure success. I use this planting guide for guidelines on when to plant vegetables.
July in the low desert is typically the hottest month of the year. Monsoons may bring humidity and moisture, but they may not. It’s essential to pay attention to your plants’ watering needs this month.
A few keys to gardening during July in the low desert include:
- Planting crops that are adapted to high temperatures.
- Providing shade if needed. (Read more in this blog post.)
- Watering correctly. (Read more here.)
- Good soil. (Read more in this blog post.)
Check out the end of the post for my low desert July garden checklist and what I will be planting this month (indoors & outside).
Vegetables growing in the low desert Arizona garden in July
Melons are producing well. Pictured here are Hopi yellow watermelon and cantaloupe. Be sure to water regularly and keep the plant healthy. Provide a trellis or hammock for the growing plants to keep them off the ground.
Several varieties of peppers are producing in the garden this month. These serrano peppers take the heat well. Bell peppers can get sunburned if fruits get direct sun; provide some shade if scalding is a problem.
The last of the tomatoes on the vine have ripened. It is too hot for pollen to be viable for new tomatoes to develop. After removing the final fruits, I pulled out the plants and will plant new ones at the end of the month.
Cucumbers. I’ve harvested a steady supply of Japanese, Collier, Lemon and Burpless cucumbers. Cucumbers do best on a trellis, with even watering and mulching with compost. Production slows or even stops this month as temperatures heat up. Pull plants if necessary if pests or diseases are an issue.
Although other cucumbers may not like the heat, Armenian cucumbers thrive all summer long. Read this blog post to learn more.
Flowers growing in the low desert Arizona garden in July
Rudbeckia attracts pollinators, grows well from seed, and makes an excellent cut flower.
This echinacea was planted from transplant in September. The pollinators love it!
Arizona gardening in July wouldn’t be the same without sunflowers! They are everywhere in my yard, and I love them. There are many reasons to plant sunflowers: they provide shade; can be used as a trellis; attract wildlife and pollinators, and are simple to grow from seed in nearly any spot in your yard.
Strawflower blooms continue during July. Read this post to learn more.
Yellow Dot is a vigorous ground cover that grows rapidly in well-drained soil and can grow in full sun or shady areas. It looks great most of the year and provides a living mulch to trees in the heat of the summer.
Tithonia is a heat-loving favorite. Read this blog post to learn more.
Globe Amaranth thrives in the heat with consistent watering. I like to harvest the flowers for cut flowers. I’ve planted this in my flower beds as well as throughout my garden beds to attract pollinators. This article shares my 10 favorite flowers for hot summers.
Tecoma is in full bloom and doesn’t mind the heat. Hummingbirds and pollinators love it. This is an excellent addition to an Arizona garden landscape.
Zinnias are a champion of Arizona gardening in July. Give them consistent moisture, and enjoy the lovely blooms! They are also an excellent cut flower.
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.
Ornamental Sweet Potato Vine is a fast grower available in several colors. Lavish greenery and filler even in the hottest months. This vine is easy to start from cuttings; root in water first and then plant; it’s that simple. Regular watering keeps it lush. Learn more about how to grow sweet potato vine in this article.
Looking for more ideas for flowers that can take the heat of an Arizona summer? This article shares my favorite ones with tips for how to grow them.
Fruit trees in the low desert Arizona garden in July
Anna apples are finishing up. The birds got a few of them before I could harvest them. This post shares my favorite ways to use Anna apples.
Enjoy the fig harvests this month.
Citrus is developing on all the citrus trees throughout the yard. Last month the trees self-thinned and the fruit that is left on the tree is growing well. The monsoon rains and higher humidity this month are appreciated by the citrus trees.
Several citrus trees around the yard have sun damage on the leaves from the hot, dry month of a typical June.
Herbs in the low desert Arizona garden in July
Lemon grass is growing fast. Read this article to learn how to grow, harvest, divide, and use lemongrass.
Rosemary is doing great and doesn’t mind the heat. It’s best not to prune it this month, but you can harvest it as needed for recipes. Read this article to learn more about how to grow rosemary.
Basil is the champion herb of summer. Keep it pruned and try different varieties to mix things up. This article shares how to grow basil.
Arizona Herb Planting Guide helps you learn when to plant over 30 different herbs in Arizona and whether to plant seeds or transplants.
Low Desert Arizona Garden in July To-Do List:
- Fertilize sweet potatoes with a balanced fertilizer.
- Fertilize blackberries with a balanced fertilizer.
- Clear out squash and other plants that have stopped producing or are showing signs of heat stress and disease to make room for monsoon and fall planting.
- Don’t prune or fertilize most plants. Most are in summer dormancy in order to survive. Pruning can expose new parts of a plant to sunlight damage, and fertilizing can cause stress in plants as well.
- Water twice as long at least once. Plan on one extra-long watering this month to flush the accumulated salt build up deeper into the soil.
- Hopefully the monsoon humidity and added moisture comes to the low desert this month. A rain gauge is helpful to see how much rain you received. If you measure .5 inches of rain, turn off your water timer. You can also insert a screwdriver into grass or rocks to determine whether to water. If it passes easily into the soil, you can wait a day or two to water. Monitor plants for signs of stress, and make sure plants are getting enough water and have good drainage.
What to plant in the low desert of Arizona in July
Which seeds to start indoors during July in the low desert of Arizona:
- Brussels Sprouts
- Celery
- Pumpkin / Winter Squash *through July 15th
- Cucamelon, Cucumber, Summer Squash *beginning July 15th
What to plant outside during July in the low desert of Arizona:
Through mid-July:
- Plant from seed or transplant: Armenian Cucumbers
All month long:
- Plant from seeds or transplant: Cantaloupe, Winter Squash, Pumpkin
- From seeds: Snake Beans, Black-eyed Peas, Shallots (onion sets)
- Plant from transplant: Peppers
Later in the month as the humidity climbs with the monsoon moisture (hopefully by the middle of July):
- Plant from seeds or transplant: Amaranth, Cucumber, Basil
- From seeds: Corn, Tepary Beans, Pinto Beans, Pole Beans, Bush Beans
- Plant from transplant: Tomatoes, Tomatillos, Eggplant
Seed Box Labels with planting dates for vegetables and flowers
Arizona Vegetable Planting Guide helps you learn when to plant vegetables in Arizona, and whether to plant seeds or transplants.
With 50 vegetables listed that grow well in the low desert of Arizona, you are sure to find one to try.
Flowers to plant in July: yellow cosmos, globe amaranth*, vinca, purslane, zinnias, and sunflowers.
*Plant through July 15th
Arizona annual flowers planting guide helps you learn when to plant flowers in Arizona, and whether to plant seeds or transplants.
Would you like the low-desert planting dates for vegetables, herbs, and flowers in a convenient calendar?
- 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).
Want more information about gardening in Arizona? This blog post shares seven tips for how to grow a vegetable garden in Arizona.
If this post about Arizona gardening in July was helpful, please share it:
Kim Wills
Saturday 18th of June 2022
I struggle with watering in the summer! Right now I hand water. Not sure how to get started on a watering system for my raised beds and tropical area. Suggestions? I want to order the timer, but what about the grids and how to hook them up?
Angela Judd
Tuesday 21st of June 2022
Watering during the hottest months of the year is tricky for sure. Adding an automatic watering system can help. Garden in Minutes has many helpful installation videos on their website if you are connecting the watering grids to a hose. If you are connecting to your main sprinkler system you may need professional help.
Rayanne Leister
Thursday 1st of July 2021
This blog is amazing, so helpful for our unique growing conditions here in Arizona, thanks so much for sharing all your wonderful information. Can you please recommend Tomato varieties best suited for fall and spring planting. I'm in Buckeye and have tried several Heirloom varieties, some do well, others not so much. Do you have a list of the best varieties of all vegetables to grow here? Again, THANK YOU!
Angela Judd
Sunday 4th of July 2021
Look for shorter season varieties. Some of my favorites are Celebrity, Early Girl, Yellow Pear and Roma. I don't have a list, but that's a good idea!
Aaron L
Saturday 15th of May 2021
Hi Angela! I love your videos and blog, thank you for doing this!
I do have one question... When you say plant these vegetables... are the above from seed or transplant.
Thank you so very kindly, and keep up the great work!
Angela Judd
Tuesday 18th of May 2021
You're right! I didn't specify on this post. I updated the post with the correct information. Thanks for letting me know.
Jessica Coleman
Friday 26th of June 2020
This is amazing! What do you do if the orange tree has sun damage?
Angela Judd
Saturday 27th of June 2020
Provide some shade if you can, if not make sure it's watered well. Many of my citrus trees end up with some by the end of summer. Usually the tree recovers. Don't prune or remove leaves, it will expose new leaves and branches to damage.