Arizona Vegetable Planting Guide: A Visual Guide for Low Desert Vegetables
Growing a vegetable garden in Arizona is both rewarding and challenging. This Arizona Vegetable Planting Guide provides planting dates and crucial information for growing over 50 different vegetables in the low desert of Arizona.
Growing seasons in Arizona are short, and timing is critical when planting. Use this Arizona Vegetable Planting Guide to learn when to plant, and whether to plant seeds or transplants. When you plant at the correct time, seeds will sprout and transplants will become established in the optimal conditions for each plant.
With pictures and planting dates for over 50 vegetables that grow well in the low desert of Arizona, you are sure to find one to try.
Be sure to check out the end of this Arizona Vegetable Planting Guide for links to articles about common questions about growing a vegetable garden in Arizona.
Disclaimer: this post contains affiliate links. See my disclosure policy for more information.
Click on a vegetable to go directly to that vegetable:
Amaranth
How to grow Amaranth:
Grows best from seed
When to plant amaranth: March – April and late July – early September
Harvest leaves as needed and cut the seed-heads with stems for drying to collect seeds.
Good to Know: Annual. Leaves are very high in protein.
Armenian Cucumber
How to grow Armenian Cucumbers:
Grows best from seed or transplant
When to plant Armenian cucumbers: late Feb – mid July
Time to harvest: 55 days
Good to know: Don’t rush to plant in the spring; Armenian cucumbers prefer warm temperatures. Heat tolerance is their number one attribute; high temperatures do not stress these plants.
Read this article for more information about how to grow artichokes.
Artichokes
How to grow Artichokes:
Grows best from transplant
When to plant artichokes: Mid January – March
Time to harvest: 4 – 6 months
Good to know:
- Buds are edible when harvested young (before opening and developing into flowers).
- At the end of flowering, plants should be cut down to ground and mulched heavily.
Arugula
How to grow Arugula:
Grows best from seed or transplant
When to plant arugula: Mid October – mid February
Time to harvest: 30 – 60 days
Good to know:
- Prolonged warm temperatures cause arugula to bolt and become bitter.
- Harvest outer leaves using cut-and-come-again method to allow additional harvests.
- Arugula tolerates a little frost.
Read this article for more information about how to grow asparagus.
Asparagus
How to grow Asparagus:
Grows best from transplant
When to plant asparagus: November – mid February
Time to harvest: 1 – 2 years
Good to know: Unlike most vegetables, asparagus is a perennial (meaning it lives for more than two seasons). Asparagus stalks increase in circumference and number over time – it definitely gets better with age.
Beans (Lima)
How to grow Lima Beans:
Grows best from seed
When to plant lima beans: mid March – mid April
Time to harvest: 60 – 100 days
Good to know:
- Lima beans prefer warm but not hot temperatures, and may begin producing once temperatures drop in the fall.
- Look for pole and bush types.
Read this article for more information about how to grow beans.
Beans (Snap)
How to grow Snap Beans:
Grows best from seed
When to plant beans: Mid March – April and mid July – August
Time to harvest: 60 – 90 days
Good to know: Harvest beans when they are small and tender. Picking beans often encourages more bean production.
Beans (Tepary)
How to grow Tepary Beans:
Grows best from seed
When to plant tepary beans: March and again in late July when monsoon moisture begins
Time to harvest: around 100 days
Good to know:
- Tepary beans have been grown in the Sonoran Desert for hundreds of years.
- Do not overwater.
- Harvest when pods are dry.
Read this article for more information about how to grow yardlong beans.
Beans (Yardlong)
How to grow Yardlong Beans:
Grows best from seed
When to plant yardlong beans: Mid March – mid July
Time to harvest: 60 – 90 days
Good to know:
- Yardlong beans tolerate heat and humidity better than snap bean varieties.
- Also called asparagus beans or Chinese-longbeans.
Read this article for more information about how to grow beets.
Beets
How to grow Beets:
Grows best from seed
When to plant beets: Mid September – mid March
Time to harvest: 60 – 80 days
Good to know:
- Beets tolerate a little frost.
- Beet thinnings can be carefully transplanted.
- Plant beet seeds every few weeks for a continual harvest.
Read this article for more information about how to grow Bok Choy.
Bok Choy
How to grow Bok Choy:
Grows best from seed or transplant
When to plant bok choy:
- Plant seeds late August – February
- Plant transplants October – February
Time to harvest: 45 days
Good to know:
- Bok Choy likes cool temperatures.
- A light frost improves the flavor of Bok Choy.
Arizona Vegetable Planting Guide: A Visual Guide for Low Desert Vegetables (continued)
Read this article for more information about how to grow broccoli.
Broccoli
How to grow Broccoli:
Grows best from seed or transplant
When to plant broccoli:
- Plant seeds late August – December
- Plant transplants October – January
Time to harvest:
- Seed 120 – 130 days
- Transplants 80 – 90 days
Good to know: In many varieties, bite-sized side shoots will form after main head is harvested.
Read this article for more information about how to grow Brussels sprouts.
Brussels Sprouts
How to grow Brussels Sprouts:
Grows best from transplant
When to plant Brussels sprouts: September – November
Time to harvest: 100 – 120 days
Good to know: Once buds form, if temperatures are beginning to climb or if you want to harvest all the Brussels sprouts at one time, pinch off the rosette (growing tip at the top of plant) about a month before the desired harvest. This directs the plant’s energy to increasing the size of the buds and they will develop all at once.
Read this article for more information about how to grow cabbage.
Cabbage
How to grow Cabbage:
Grows best from seed or transplant
When to plant cabbage:
- Plant seeds late August – December
- Plant transplants October – January
Time to harvest:
- Seed 120 – 130 days
- Transplants 80 – 90 days
Good to know: Cabbage will not form a head but will instead split or bolt if exposed to too much heat or severe frost.
Cucamelon
How to grow Cucamelons:
Grows best from seed or transplant
When to plant cucamelon: March – April and late August – September
Time to harvest: 65 – 75 days
Good to know:
- Can be tricky to grow in Arizona. If you have trouble getting plant to grow, try starting seeds indoors.
- Also called Mexican sour gherkin and Mouse Melon.
- Some plants may form tubers, which can be over-wintered.
Cantaloupe
How to grow Cantaloupe:
Grows best from seed if soil is warm enough
When to plant cantaloupe: March – July
Time to harvest: 80 – 120 days
Good to know:
- Can be started indoors, but do not let seedlings become pot bound.
- Try growing native-adapted varieties from Native Seeds Search.
Read this article for more information about how to grow carrots.
Carrots
How to grow Carrots:
Grows best from seed
When to plant carrots: August – April
Time to harvest: 60 – 100 days
Good to know:
- Thin carrot seedlings for good-sized carrots.
- Harvest carrots before the heat of the summer; the heat turns them bitter.
Read this article for more information about how to grow cauliflower.
Cauliflower
How to grow Cauliflower:
Grows best from seed or transplant
When to plant cauliflower:
- Plant seeds late August – December
- Plant transplants October – January
Time to harvest:
- Seed 120 – 130 days
- Transplants 90 – 100 days
Good to know: To grow cauliflower successfully, it needs at least 2 months of cool weather (60 degrees is ideal) to mature.
Read this article for more information about how to grow celery.
Celery
How to grow Celery:
Grows best from transplant
When to plant celery:
- Plant seeds late August – December
- Plant transplants late September – December
Time to harvest: 120 – 150 days
Good to know:
- Celery can also be grown with the cut-off base of grocery store celery.
- Harvest individual stalks of celery as needed rather than cutting off the entire base.
Corn
How to grow Corn:
Grows best from seed
When to plant corn: Late February – early April and late July – August
Time to harvest: 70 – 90 days
Good to know: Plant corn in blocks rather than rows to encourage pollination.
Read this article for more information about how to grow cucumbers.
Cucumbers
How to grow Cucumbers:
Grows best from seed or transplant
When to plant cucumbers: Late February – April and late August – September
Time to harvest: 60 – 90 days
Good to know: For spring planting, choose short-season varieties that will ripen before the hottest days of summer. Arizona summer heat makes cucumbers bitter.
Arizona Vegetable Planting Guide: A Visual Guide for Low Desert Vegetables (continued)
Edamame
How to grow Edamame:
Grows best from seed
When to plant edamame: Mid March – April
Time to harvest: 75 – 110 days
Good to know: Harvest pods as soon as they are plump and still bright green. Once pods turn yellow, the consistency and flavor deteriorates rapidly.
Eggplant
How to grow Eggplant:
Grows best from transplant
When to plant eggplant: February 15 – April
Time to harvest: 70 – 120 days
Good to know: Start seeds indoors in late December or January for transplants.
Read this article for more information about how to grow garlic.
Garlic
How to grow Garlic:
Grows best from cloves
When to plant garlic: October
Time to harvest: 5 – 7 months
Good to know: Place whole cloves in a brown paper bag in the refrigerator 6 weeks before planting. Vernalization helps ensure correct bulb formation.
Read this article for more information about how to grow I’itio onions.
I'itoi Onions
How to grow I'itoi Onions:
Grows best from bulbs
When to plant I’itoi onions: September – December
Time to harvest: Harvest greens as needed; harvest bulbs when desired size.
Good to know: I’itoi onions thrive in the Sonoran Desert’s difficult growing conditions. One bulb becomes 8 or 10 bulbs, which in turn become more bulbs. You will be amazed how quickly these bulbs multiply.
Read this article for more information about how to grow kale.
Kale
How to grow Kale:
Grows best from seed or transplant
When to plant kale:
- Plant seeds late August – December
- Plant transplants late September – December
Time to harvest: 60 – 90 days
Good to know:
- For a continual harvest, harvest only the outer leaves of kale (known as the cut-and-come-again method).
- Warm temperatures cause kale to bolt.
- A light frost improves the flavor.
Read this article for more information about how to grow kohlrabi.
Kohlrabi
How to grow Kohlrabi:
Grows best from seed or transplant
When to plant kohlrabi:
- Plant seeds late August – November
- Plant transplants late September – mid February
Time to harvest: 45 – 60 days
Good to know: Kohlrabi tastes best when harvested small and before the weather gets hot. Begin harvesting when bulbs are about 2 inches wide.
Leek
How to grow Leeks:
Grows best from seed or transplant
When to plant leeks: late August – early October and January
Time to harvest: 180 – 200 days
Good to know: Densely plant seeds and then thin and replant seedlings in trenches 6 – 8 inches deep and 4 – 6 inches apart.
Lettuce
How to grow Lettuce:
Grows best from seed or transplant
When to plant lettuce:
- Plant seeds late August – January
- Plant transplants late September – mid February
Time to harvest: 50 – 100 days depending on variety
Good to know:
- For a continual harvest, harvest only the outer leaves of lettuce (known as the cut-and-come-again method).
- Warm temperatures cause lettuce to bolt.
Read this article for more information about how to grow luffa.
Luffa
How to grow Luffa:
Grows best from seed
When to plant luffa: March – April and late August – mid September
Time to harvest: At least 120 days when harvested as a sponge
Good to know: Once gourd is longer than 6 inches, the insides become fibrous and it is too tough to eat.
Read this article for more information about how to grow Malabar spinach.
Malabar Spinach
How to grow Malabar Spinach:
Grows best from seed or transplant
When to plant Malabar spinach: March – May
Time to harvest: Harvest once the vines have at least 8-10 leaves. Cut leaves from the outside first, being sure to leave at least 6 leaves to allow the plant to grow.
Good to know: Although Malabar spinach tolerates hot Arizona summers, it is a tropical plant and needs consistent moisture throughout the growing season. For best flavor, keep soil evenly moist.
Arizona Vegetable Planting Guide: A Visual Guide for Low Desert Vegetables (continued)
This article shares more information about how to grow okra.
Okra
How to grow Okra:
Grows best from seed
When to plant okra: Mid March – May
Time to harvest: 70 – 100 days
Good to know: Make it a point to harvest okra daily while it is producing; leaving pods on the plant slows or stops production.
Onions (Bulb)
How to grow Onions:
Grows best from seed or starts
When to plant onions: Plant seeds October – November and transplant December – January
Time to harvest: 7 – 8 months
Good to know: Densely plant seeds and then thin and replant seedlings. Onion sets commonly sold in stores have often dried out and will bolt (flower).
Onions (Green)
How to grow Green Onions:
Grows best from seed
When to plant green onions: August – April
Time to harvest: 90 – 100 days
Good to know: Harvest individual onions as needed.
Parsnips
How to grow Parsnips:
Grows best from seed
When to plant parsnips: September – November
Time to harvest: 100 – 120 days
Good to know: Use fresh seeds each year; parsnip seeds do not store well.
Peanuts
How to grow Peanuts:
Grows best from seed
When to plant peanuts: Mid March – April
Time to harvest: 5 months
Good to know: The flowers of peanut plants are above ground, but the pods (shells) containing the seeds develop underground.
Read this article for more information about how to grow peas.
Peas
How to grow Peas:
Grows best from seed
When to plant peas: Mid September – February
Time to harvest: 60 – 150 days depending on when planted and variety
Good to know: Peas are sweetest when eaten fresh; the sugar in the peas turns to starch within hours of harvesting.
Read this article for more information about how to grow peppers.
Peppers
How to grow Peppers:
Grows best from transplants
When to plant peppers: Mid February – March and July
Time to harvest: 90 – 120 days
Good to know: Start seeds indoors in late December or January for spring transplants.
Read this article for more information about how to grow potatoes.
Potatoes
How to grow Potatoes:
Grows best from seed potatoes
When to plant potatoes:
- January – February (harvesting in June or July)
- September – October (harvest in late winter)
Time to harvest: 90 – 120 days
Good to know:
- Potatoes grow well in grow bags or containers.
- If plants are killed by frost, harvest potatoes (no matter the size) within a week or two to keep them from rotting.
Pumpkins
How to grow Pumpkins:
Grows best from seed
When to plant pumpkins: March and July – mid August
Time to harvest: 90 – 120 days
Good to know: Growing pumpkins require a lot of room and water.
Read this article for more information about how to grow radishes.
Radishes
How to grow Radishes:
Grows best from seed
When to plant radishes: September – April
Time to harvest: 40 – 60 days
Good to know: Radishes sprout easily, grow quickly, and are a perfect first seed to grow for new or young gardeners.
Arizona Vegetable Planting Guide: A Visual Guide for Low Desert Vegetables (continued)
Read this article for more information about how to grow roselle hibiscus.
Roselle Hibiscus
How to grow Roselle Hibiscus:
Grows best from seed
When to plant roselle hibiscus: Mid March – May
Time to harvest: 120 – 180 days
Good to know: Although the plants don’t bloom until fall, planting roselle earlier in the season ensures a large plant with plenty of blooms and calyces to harvest.
Read this article for more information about how to grow spinach.
Spinach
How to grow Spinach:
Grows best from seed
When to plant spinach: September – February
Time to harvest: 40 – 90 days
Good to know: Larger leaves can become bitter; don’t wait too long to harvest. Harvest outer leaves (leaving inner leaves for continual harvest) or harvest the entire plant at once by cutting it off at the base.
Read this article for more information about how to grow summer squash.
Squash (Summer)
How to grow Summer Squash:
Grows best from seed
When to plant summer squash: March – April and late August – mid September
Time to harvest: 60 – 90 days
Good to know: If you are finding that female fruits are withering, hand-pollinate by transferring pollen from the male stamen to the female pistil.
Squash (Winter)
How to grow Winter Squash:
Grows best from seed
When to plant winter squash: March and July – mid August
Time to harvest: 90 – 120 days
Good to know: Winter squash mature on the vine and can be stored indoors for several months.
Read this article for more information about how to grow sweet potatoes.
Sweet Potatoes
How to grow Sweet Potatoes:
Grows best from slips – small pieces of rooted sweet potato tubers grown from a sweet potato
When to plant sweet potatoes: March – June
Time to harvest: 120 – 160 days
Good to know: Sweet potatoes need a long warm growing season, are heat tolerant and drought resistant, and have few pests or diseases.
Read this article for more information about how to grow Swiss chard.
Swiss Chard
How to grow Swiss Chard:
Grows best from seed or transplant
When to plant Swiss chard:
- Plant seeds late August – January
- Plant transplants late September – mid February
Time to harvest: 60 – 90 days
Good to know: To harvest Swiss chard, cut off the outer leaves with a sharp pair of garden scissors 1½ to 2 inches above the ground while they are young and tender (about 8 to 12 inches long).
Tomatillos
How to grow Tomatillos:
Grows best from transplant
When to plant tomatillos: Mid February – March and July – mid August
Time to harvest: 80 – 100 days
Good to know:
- Plants grow large and will need trellising.
- Plant at least 2 plants to ensure pollination.
Read this article for more information about how to grow tomatoes.
Tomatoes
How to grow Tomatoes:
Grows best from transplant
When to plant tomatoes: Mid February – March and July – mid August
Time to harvest: 50 – 120 days depending on variety
Good to know:
- Start seeds indoors in late December or January for spring transplants.
- Look for plants with a short (60-90) days to maturity.
Turnips
How to grow Turnips:
Grows best from seed
When to plant turnips: late August – February
Time to harvest: 90 – 120 days
Good to know: Turnips do not transplant well. Seed them directly in the garden and thin when plants are 4 inches tall.
Watermelon
How to grow Watermelon:
Grows best from seed
When to plant watermelon: Late February – March
Time to harvest: 90 – 120 days
Good to know: Watermelon leaves produce the sugars that sweeten the watermelon. Allow leaves to sprawl and grow; do not pinch off vines or leaves.
Want to learn more about vegetable gardening in Arizona?
Click on a question below to be taken to a blog post about the topic.
- What do you need to know about growing a vegetable garden in Arizona?
- Is it too hot to garden in the summer in Arizona?
- Which type of soil is best for gardening in Arizona?
- What is the best way to water vegetable gardens in Arizona?
- What is the best way to prevent pests when gardening in Arizona?
- Wondering how to get started with Square Foot Gardening?
- What about plant spacing in Square Foot Gardening?
- How do you get your soil ready for planting in Arizona?
- What should you do before starting a fall garden in Arizona?
- Wondering how to prepare for a spring garden in Arizona?
Wondering what to do in your Arizona garden each month?
The University of Arizona Cooperative Extension Planting Calendar was a valuable resource as I learned to grow a vegetable garden in Arizona. I also used it as a reference in this Arizona Vegetable Planting Guide.
