Desert Southwest Planting Calendar
Month-by-month planting calendar for the low desert. 139 crops with sow windows for hot, dry Phoenix and Tucson gardens.
Monthly Planting Calendar
The low desert (Phoenix, Tucson and similar, USDA 9b-10a) has mild, nearly frost-free winters and brutally hot, dry summers, so the calendar inverts the rest of the country. The cool season, October through February, is the prime vegetable garden; spring and early fall are the windows for warm-season crops; and June through August is the dead season for almost everything. Citrus, figs and pomegranates thrive here, while the alkaline desert soil rules out acid-lovers like blueberries. These windows are a first-pass estimate from desert extension guidance and are being reviewed locally.
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Growing Guides
In-depth guides for the most popular crops and techniques. These guides adapt to your region.
Free Monthly Planting Calendar
Get an email each month with what to plant, seasonal tips, and harvest reminders for your region.
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Plan your whole garden in the app
Drag-and-drop beds, track from seed to harvest, and get Desert Southwest reminders every month.
Open the App →Frequently Asked Questions
Why is summer the dead season in the desert?
Daytime heat well over 100 F and intense sun shut down most vegetables from June to August. The desert's productive months are the mild fall, winter and spring; plan your biggest planting for October.
What grows best in the low desert?
Cool-season crops (greens, brassicas, roots, peas) from fall through winter, warm-season crops in spring and early fall, and desert-friendly fruit like citrus, figs and pomegranates year-round.
How accurate are these dates?
They are a careful first pass based on desert extension calendars and our climate ruleset. We are reviewing them with local sources before this region is finalized.