Phoenix Gardening Guide (2026)

Desert; heat-tolerant and water-wise planting essential.

USDA zone
9
Typical last frost
02/15
Typical first frost
12/10

Quick answer (Phoenix): Gardeners here work in about a 298-day frost-free window around zone 9. State context: Arizona (zones 4–10). Start warm crops indoors ~6 weeks before the last frost of 02/15.

🌆 Phoenix microclimate

  • Desert (9b-10a)
  • Extreme heat, very low humidity
  • Water-wise gardening essential

What to grow here, by environment

dry
Rosemary · Sage · Agave · Prickly pear · Desert marigold
full sun
Tomato (plant early/monsoon) · Chili peppers · Melon · Cowpea
winter
Lettuce · Carrot · Broccoli · Spinach (Nov-Feb)
shade
Oleander (screen) · Bougainvillea · Palms

Your Phoenix planting calendar

Pre-filled with Phoenix's frost dates. Choose a crop to print your plan.

In Arizona (typical zone 410, last frost ≈ Feb 15, first frost ≈ Dec 10, 298-day season), your Tomato plan:

Start seeds indoors
Jan 4
Sow / transplant outdoors
Mar 1
First harvest
May 10
Spacing / depth
24″ / 0.25

Month-by-month (Arizona, 2026)

MonthAction
JanStart indoors
Feb
MarSow · Transplant
Apr
MayHarvest
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Start indoors 6 weeks before last frost; transplant after soil warms. Zones 313 suitable. Dates are typical; confirm with your county extension and watch the 10-day forecast.

Common pests near Phoenix

Pre-filled to Arizona. Pick a pest for signs, organic-first treatment, and a printable IPM card.

Whitefly

Targets
Tomato, ornamentals, greenhouse crops
Signs
Tiny white flies erupt when foliage disturbed; sticky leaves.
Organic / IPM first
Yellow sticky traps; insecticidal soap; Encarsia wasps.
Chemical option (follow label)
Pyriproxyfen or imidacloprid for severe cases.
Prevention
Avoid overhead watering; remove infested leaves.

Crops that fit zone 9

Vegetables and herbs suited to your metro zone — open any for a state-specific planting card: