What to Plant in February in Arizona
February marks the beginning of a new growing season in the low desert, which is also one of my favorite times in the garden. Our spring season is short, so timing is everything. In this article, I’ll share what you can plant in Arizona this month, from cool-season vegetables, herbs, and flowers that thrive now, to the warm-season crops you’ll plant after the last frost date. With days getting longer, the garden is starting to wake up, and there’s so much potential in this quick but productive season. Let’s make the most of it before the desert heat arrives.

I have a blog post like this for each month of the year. You can do this, I’ll help! For those in the low desert areas (below 3,500 feet), such as Phoenix or Tucson, this guide will help you confidently garden during the cooler months.
Tip: If you’re looking for the garden tasks to do this month, see the Arizona Garden in February blog post and printable checklist.
Article Outline:
- February YouTube videos
- Garden Harvests in February
- What to do before you plant this February
- Vegetables, Herbs & Fruit to plant in the low desert in February
- What to Plant after February 15th (or after the last spring frost)
- Vegetable, herb, and fruit seeds to start indoors during February
- Flowers to plant in the low desert in February
- Flower seeds to start indoors in the low desert in February
- How to Maximize Your Harvest
- What About Overwintered Peppers, Eggplants, and Tomatoes?
February YouTube Videos
Garden Harvests in February
While you prep for spring in your low desert Arizona garden, enjoy this month’s harvests of cool-season vegetables, herbs, fruit, and flowers.
Peas: Pick them frequently to encourage steady production. (Pea growing guide)
Broccoli: Harvest when heads are tight, and buds are closed—don’t wait until you see yellow flowers. Side shoots often appear after the main head is cut. Don’t pull it out by the roots when you’re finished with the plant. Instead, cut it off at the base to avoid disturbing the soil; the roots will break down and add organic matter. (Broccoli growing guide)
Radishes are quick-growing and ready to harvest before the weather gets too hot. (Radish growing guide)

What to do before you plant this February in Arizona
First Things First: Find Your Last Frost Date
Before you put any seeds in the ground, you must know your average last frost date. This date varies by location, so head over to this Frost Date Calculator and enter your zip code for a quick lookup. My last frost date is February 12, and I use that as a guideline for deciding when to plant warm-season crops. Once you know your date, you’ll be better equipped to time your plantings and protect tender seedlings if a late frost sneaks in.

Next, Prepare Your Beds and Check the Irrigation
To prepare your garden for new plants, start by pulling back any mulch and adding amendments to the soil around existing crops if needed. Add about 4 cups of worm castings to each 4×8 bed, then top off the beds with compost or raised bed mix to replace the organic matter used last season. Keep feeding worms in any in-bed vermicomposting bins to maintain healthy soil life.
After that, inspect your watering system. Fix leaks or clogged emitters and ensure every area of the bed is getting water. Time how long it takes to reach 12 inches deep—this will guide you on how long to water each session. I use the garden grids from Garden in Minutes in my raised beds. (Use code Angela10 to save $10 off $100 or GITG5 to save 5 percent on any size order.)
Proper preparation now lays the foundation for a successful growing season.

Monitor Your Soil Temperature
Knowing both your soil temperature and your last frost date is key to deciding when to plant warm-season crops. If the soil stays too cold, seeds germinate slowly or never reach their full potential. Use a thermometer (this is the one I use) to check several spots at the depth where seeds or roots will be planted, leaving it in place for a few minutes each time. Do this in the mornings for about a week to see if temperatures are consistently within the ideal ranges for your chosen crops:

- 55°F (13°C) – Corn, Tomatoes
- 65°F (18°C) – Cucumbers, Peppers
- 70°F (21°C) – Beans, Melons, Squash
- 75°F (24°C) – Pumpkin, Okra, Eggplant
Get more details about how to check your soil temperature in this guide.
Want more information about gardening in Arizona? This blog post shares seven tips for how to grow a vegetable garden in Arizona.
Vegetables, Herbs & Fruit to plant in the low desert in February
While you wait for the soil to reach the right temperature for warm-season crops, there are still plenty of options to plant throughout February. It’s a perfect window for adding perennial herbs that will thrive long-term, attract beneficial insects, and offer year-round flavor in the kitchen. Getting them in now gives them time to settle before the summer heat arrives, so don’t miss the chance to plant as many herbs as possible.

(Click the link to read “How to Grow” articles on my website.)
- Artichoke (T)
- Beet (ST)
- Blackberry (T)
- Bok Choy (T)
- Carrot (S)
- Chamomile (T)
- Chives (ST)
- Collard Greens (T)
- Garlic Chives (T)
- Hyssop (ST)
- Lavender (T)
- Lemon Balm (T)
- Lemon Grass (T)
- Lemon Verbena (T)
- Lentil (S)
- Marjoram (T)
- Mint (T)
- Mustard (T)
- Onion (Green) (S)
- Oregano (T)
What to Plant after February 15th (or after the last spring frost)
Once you’re past your last frost date and your soil has warmed up (keep an eye on those weather forecasts), it’s time to move fast. The low desert’s spring season can be short, so getting warm-season vegetables in the ground early helps you make the most of the window before the intense heat sets in. When conditions look right, go ahead and plant.

- Basil (S)
- Cantaloupe (ST)
- Corn (S)
- Cucamelon (T)
- Cucumber (ST)
- Grapes (T)
- Ground Cherry (T)
- Luffa (ST)
- Pepper (T)
- Summer Squash (ST)
- Tomatillo (T)
- Tomato (T)
- Watermelon (S)
SEED, TRANSPLANT, OR BOTH? S = Seed T= Transplant
Vegetable, Herb, and Fruit Planting Guide for the Low Desert of Arizona

The ultimate resource for gardeners in arid regions with hot summers and mild winters—designed specifically for the low desert of Arizona.
It features information on how and when to start seeds indoors and when to transplant them outside for nearly 100 different fruits, vegetables, and herbs.
Vegetable, herb, and fruit seeds to start indoors during February
If you want an early jump on summer favorites, starting seeds indoors can give them a head start before the soil outside is warm enough. For more details, check out my guide on how to start seeds indoors. If you prefer direct sowing, many crops can go straight into the ground once outdoor temperatures and soil conditions are right.
(Click the link for seed sources.)
- Ginger (pre-sprout)
- Hyssop
- Jicama
- Luffa
- Malabar Spinach
- Okra
- Papalo
- Parsley
- Pepper
- Pumpkin
- Roselle Hibiscus
- Sesame
- Summer Squash
- Sweet Potato (start slips)
- Turmeric (pre-sprout)
- Winter Squash

Perpetual Vegetable, Fruit & Herb Calendar shows you when to plant vegetables in the low desert of Arizona and whether to plant seeds or transplants. See it in my shop.
Flowers to plant in the low desert in February
Don’t forget the flowers (even if you think of yourself as just a vegetable gardener). Pick a couple from these lists. You’ll love the beauty and pollinators they add to your garden.

(Click the link to read “How to Grow” articles on my website.)
- Alyssum (ST)
- Bee Balm (ST)
- Chamomile (T)
- Dahlia (tuber)
- English Daisy (T)
- Feverfew (T)
- Gaillardia (ST)
- Gazania (T)
- Geranium (T)
- Hollyhock (ST)
- Hyacinth (bulb)
- Hybrid Tulip (bulb)
- Lisianthus (T)
- Marigold (ST)
- Petunia (T)
- Purslane (ST)
- Ranunculus (pre-sprout corms)
- Rudbeckia (ST)
- Safflower (S)
- Spilanthes (T)
- Strawflower (ST)
- Sunflower (S)
- Sweet Peas (ST)
- Tithonia (S)
- Wild Hyssop (ST)
- Yarrow (T)
SEED, TRANSPLANT, OR BOTH? S = Seed T= Transplant
Plant New Roses
February is a great month to plant container-grown roses. Early planting gives them time to establish before the summer heat arrives. I get mine from Heirloom Roses—take a look at my favorites and use this discount code GARDENAZ20 through 2025 for a 20% discount.

Flower seeds to start indoors in the low desert in February
Want to get a jump start on summer flowers? Start some of these flowers indoors now.
(Click the link for seed sources.)

The Perpetual Annual Flower Planting Calendar, available in my shop, helps you learn when to plant flowers in the low desert of Arizona and whether to plant seeds or transplants.
How to Maximize Your Harvest
If you want the most out of our short spring season, give warm-season crops the best real estate in your yard, where they’ll get the most hours of sunlight. Space them correctly—crowded plants compete for nutrients and water, so thin seedlings early and often to prevent overcrowding. Practice deep, infrequent watering from the start to encourage strong root systems, and add a layer of mulch to help retain moisture and regulate soil temperature. These simple steps go a long way toward boosting your harvest in a hurry.

What About Overwintered Peppers, Eggplants, and Tomatoes?
If you’ve successfully overwintered these plants, they’re already ahead of the game. After your last frost date, check their health. If they have sturdy stems and new growth, prune back any damaged areas to just above where new growth is visible—this signals the plant to start growing. Fertilize to give them the nutrients they need to recover and thrive.
Once nighttime temperatures stay above 55°F, they’ll begin setting fruit, giving you an earlier harvest than starting from scratch. If the plant is too damaged or struggling, replacing it with a new transplant in a different spot may be better.
Read the complete guide to pruning peppers, tomatoes, and eggplants after winter here.

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