What Grows in Arizona Gardens in June

Birdhouse gourds are growing up the tallest ladder. The ladder is covered in gourds. 

Read this article for more information about how to grow winter squash. 

Melons (watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew, and Chimayo) are growing and beginning to ripen. I’m looking forward to harvesting the first one soon. 

Edamame is growing well and almost ready to harvest. This is my first year growing this type of bean, and we are looking forward to eating the edamame right from the garden. 

Butternut squash is ripening on the vine. Butternut squash is a winter squash that grows well in Arizona and loves climbing up a ladder or trellis.

Read this article for more information about how to grow winter squash. 

Juliet tomatoes – Tomato pollen begins to die when temperatures are above 95℉, but fruit that has already set on the plant will ripen.

Start seeds indoors this month for a monsoon planting of tomatoes.

Swiss chard can always be found somewhere growing in my garden. Swiss chard grows well in Arizona, and we love it in many recipes. 

Lots of varieties of summer squash are ripening in the garden as well. We are harvesting squash daily. For my favorite summer squash varieties to try, read this article. 

• A common vegetable growing in Arizona gardens in June is peppers. 
• Purple peppers, green bell peppers, habanero peppers, and Serrano peppers are all going strong in my Arizona garden.  

Coral Vine – This is one of my favorite vining flowering perennials. It definitely needs a trellis and can be invasive, but keep it in check and you get beautiful pink blooms beginning in late summer in full sun with minimal water. Read this article to learn how to grow Coral Vine.

Rudbeckia (black-eyed-Susan) – I sprinkled a large packet of seeds around the yard in February, and I am being rewarded with blooms everywhere!

Red Salvia – The red salvia blooms nearly year-round and has been growing in this spot for several years. It keeps reseeding itself. 

Blue Salvia – Less heat tolerant than red salvia but will bloom through the summer if given afternoon shade and regular water. 

Vinca – This heat-loving annual often grows year-round.

• Pinch off flowers when you plant, and again as it grows; this will encourage fuller plants.
• Look for trailing varieties (often available at local nurseries – not big box stores).

Angelonia – A beautiful plant that will bloom until it freezes and doesn’t mind summer heat. 

• Look for white, pink, and purple varieties. 
• Plant early in the season if possible and water well until established.

Sunflowers – So many sunflowers in bloom all around the yard! Many have reseeded themselves from last year. I planted a few seeds this spring as well. Read this article to learn how to grow sunflowers. 

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

Peaches – We picked the last of the peaches this week. I have an Earligrande peach, a Florida Prince, and a Desert Gold Peach tree. They all have low chill hours (which means they can be grown here in Arizona) and ripen at different times. 

Citrus – We fertilized the citrus (I have 15 different types) at the end of last month, and the fruits on most trees have set and are growing. There will be some fruit drop this month – “June Drop” – as the tree self-thins to what it can support through the summer. Adequate watering this month will be important. Arizona gardens in June are enduring what is typically the driest month of the year. 

Pomegranates – Fruits are formed and developing on the vine; we may get another flush of blossoms but there are plenty on the trees. The trick will be to keep the leaf-footed bugs off them. I’ve tried several organic methods and not loved any of them. We will see who wins this year… me or the bugs!

Anna Apple – The fruit is about ready to harvest. We’ve picked a few of the ones that ripened early, and they were delicious. 

I’m glad I thinned the apple tree well and the fruit that remains is nice sized. We should have a good harvest this year. 

Sage – In early spring, I trimmed the sage around the yard, and they have filled in nicely. They can be harvested through the summer. The trick will be to not let the roots get soggy in the heat as this will kill the plant. Learn more about how to grow sage in this article. 

Parsley – This herb is flowering and the pollinators love it. Learn more about how to grow parsley in this article. 

Bay Laurel – I planted two of these in the fall, and they are sending off lots of new growth.

Basil – There are several types of this heat-loving herb growing throughout the garden. Some plants I keep trimmed back and harvest frequently; others I let flower for the pollinators. This article shares how to grow basil. 

Read this post for more information about gardening during the hottest months of the year in the low desert of Arizona.

This post shares ten of my favorite flowers that grow well during the heat of an Arizona summer.

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. 

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

Arizona Herb Planting Guide helps you learn when to plant over 30 different herbs 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 has a planting guide (letter boards) for the vegetables, herbs, and flowers to plant in the low desert of Arizona. 

*HARVEST GUIDE: Harvest guides are the harvest photos of what it is possible to harvest each month. 
Click here to learn more

Want more information about gardening in Arizona? This blog post shares seven tips for growing a vegetable garden in Arizona.