What grows in low desert Arizona gardens in June? I’ll show you. All of these pictures come from my garden in Mesa, Arizona this month.
We garden year-round in many parts of Arizona, but we can’t grow everything all year. Take a look at what’s growing, and let me know in the comments what’s growing in your garden.
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Vegetables in the low desert Arizona garden in June
Birdhouse gourds are growing up the tallest ladder. The ladder is covered in gourds.
Lots of cucumbers coming out of the garden right now. They may begin to get a little bitter in the heat, but I will keep harvesting them through this month.
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.
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 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 are peppers.
Purple peppers, green bell peppers, habanero peppers, and Serrano peppers are all going strong in my Arizona garden.
In early March, I trim the peppers that made it through the winter, fertilize them, and add compost around the plant.
The plants reward me with new growth and lots of peppers for the next several months.
Flowers in the low desert Arizona garden in June
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 Coval Vine.
Rudbekia (black-eyed-Susan) – In February, I sprinkled a large packet of seeds around the yard, 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.
- Pinch back early blooms for fuller plants.
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.
Fruit trees in the low desert Arizona garden in June
Peaches – We picked the last of the peaches this week. It wasn’t a great year for peaches because it’s been so dry and we had a very mild winter. 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.
Which Herbs Grow in low desert Arizona Gardens in June?
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.
Bay Laurel – I planted two of these in the fall and they are sending off lots of new growth. I’m loving the convenience of harvesting a bay leaf as needed. They are beautiful plants as well.
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.
Looking for More Information About What Grows in Low Desert Arizona Gardens in June?
What to plant in the low desert of Arizona in June
Plant seeds or transplants of Armenian cucumber, basil, cantaloupe, cosmos, yard-long beans, soybeans, black-eyed peas, sunflowers, vinca and zinnia in June.
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.
Want more information about gardening in Arizona? This blog post shares 7 tips for how to grow a vegetable garden in Arizona.
Angela, I always learn from you, and even though I am not as ambitious as you with my own garden, it inspires me to see what is possible in this desert, with knowledge and dedication. I admire you for all your work and for being willing to share and teach others, in addition. Thank you!
Thank you for your kind words and for commenting! Much appreciated!
Wow, i learned a lot from looking at your post. I never thought that you can grow some of these plants in the Mesa, Arizona. Thanks for sharing this and looking forward for more post.
Thank you so much! Thanks for reading and commenting.
my tomatoe plants leaves all curled up into themselves. it did have lots of flowers, but nothing happened. my cucumber plant had lots of flowers, I did get 4 cucumbers that were very good, then the vine started to shrivel up and the fruit was yellow. my corn plants were doing very well, then they turned yellow, lost all green color and dried up. did I overwater them? I am from CO. this is my first year. so hopefully next year will be better.
Welcome to Arizona! It’s hard to know exactly what happened. Many issues in the garden do go back to watering. The summer sun/heat is often too much for plants as well. Keep trying. Use a planting guide for our area, https://extension.arizona.edu/sites/extension.arizona.edu/files/pubs/az1005.pdf take notes and learn as you go. Best of luck!
I’m so glad that you posted a list of what we can grow for the month of June. I’m in Tucson, and I thought that I couldn’t grow anything else since it is really hot now(better than last year). You gave me hope! (I thought I had to wait next year or fall for some). I will put those seeds on the ground right away. Keep up the good work! Keep planting and sharing.
Thank you for your kind words and encouragement! That means a lot. Happy gardening!