Local planting guide · Southwest
zip 85022
Phoenix is in USDA hardiness zone 9b, with average winter lows of 25°F to 30°F. The local growing season runs roughly 01/08 through 12/25 (~354 days). This zip falls within the Southwest growing region.
- USDA zone
- 9b 25°F to 30°F
- Last spring frost
- 01/08
- First fall frost
- 12/25
- Growing season
- 354 days
- Compatible crops
- 37
- Growing region
- Southwest
Right now in Phoenix
Week 18 priorities
On the docket: transplant out after last frost · direct sow after last frost. See the full calendar →
Gardening in Phoenix
Phoenix's combination of a 354-day growing season (January 8 last spring frost to December 25 first fall frost) and zone 9b winter lows of 25 to 30 degrees Fahrenheit creates a gardening calendar inverted from most of the country. The dominant constraint is not cold but heat. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 105 degrees Fahrenheit, making June through August a dormant season for most vegetables and even for heat-tolerant perennials. Instead, the garden thrives in the cooler months: October through May is the real growing season.
Crops that succeed here are those specifically adapted to heat and drought. Figs, pomegranates, jujubes, and goji berries flourish with minimal supplemental water once established. Tomatoes and peppers, both key summer crops in most zones, are planted as fall crops in Phoenix for harvest from November through January. The late-January frost window (January 8 is the statistical last frost date) is real enough to damage tender growth, but it's narrow. A frost cloth and strategic placement of frost-sensitive crops near heat-absorbing hardscape can mitigate most risk. The year-round growing window attracts gardeners seeking continuous harvest, but it demands vigilance with irrigation, shade management, and variety selection for heat tolerance.
Regional context · Southwest
What the Southwest brings to Phoenix
Hot, arid, irrigated. Two growing seasons in the low desert: cool October to April, hot May to September. Date palms and citrus thrive at low elevation; apples and stone fruit at higher elevations. The chile-pepper belt of the country.
Common challenges
Issues that most often defeat home gardeners in zone 9b, drawn from the broader USDA zone profile.
- ▸ Heat stress in summer
- ▸ Insufficient chill for most apples
- ▸ Salt spray near coasts
What defeats new gardeners in Phoenix
Phoenix gardens face three recurrent obstacles. First, summer heat and dryness eliminate most cool-season crops from June onward, and even heat lovers benefit from shade cloth and consistent irrigation during the worst months. Second, the January 8 last-frost date falls late in the season, so any winter-planted tomatoes, peppers, or other tender annuals are vulnerable through early January; many gardeners install temporary frost protection rather than accept crop loss. Third, Phoenix's alkaline soils (typically 7.5 to 8.2 pH) and poor organic matter make establishment of any perennial crop a multi-year amendment project. Adding sulfur to lower pH and working in compost at planting is not optional if durability is expected.
Crops that grow in Phoenix
37 crops from our catalog match zone 9b, grouped by type.
Tree fruit
11 crops
zone 9b Fig
Ficus carica
zones 7a–10b
zone 9b Asian Persimmon
Diospyros kaki
zones 7a–10a
zone 9b Pomegranate
Punica granatum
zones 7b–10a
zone 9b Jujube
Ziziphus jujuba
zones 6a–9b
zone 9b Lemon
Citrus limon
zones 9a–11b
zone 9b Orange
Citrus sinensis
zones 9a–11b
zone 9b Lime
Citrus aurantiifolia
zones 9b–11b
zone 9b Grapefruit
Citrus paradisi
zones 9a–11b
Berries
2 crops
Vegetables
18 crops
zone 9b Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum
zones 3a–10b
zone 9b Sweet Pepper
Capsicum annuum
zones 4a–10b
zone 9b Hot Pepper
Capsicum species
zones 4a–10b
zone 9b Eggplant
Solanum melongena
zones 5a–10b
zone 9b Cabbage
Brassica oleracea var. capitata
zones 3a–9b
zone 9b Kale
Brassica oleracea var. acephala
zones 3a–9b
zone 9b Collards
Brassica oleracea var. acephala
zones 4a–9b
zone 9b Cucumber
Cucumis sativus
zones 3b–10a
Herbs
6 crops
Plan the year
Planting calendar for Phoenix
Year-view of seed starting, transplanting, planting, pruning, fertilizing, harvest, and pest-watch windows tuned to Phoenix's local frost dates.
Week ? · loading
This week in Phoenix, AZ (zone 9b)
Quiet week in Phoenix, AZ (zone 9b). this week is a good time to step back and plan ahead.
Nothing critical on the calendar this week.
187 bars · 37 crops
Calendar logic combines NOAA frost normals with crop-specific timing data. Local microclimate and weather always overrules the calendar; use this as a starting point.
Top pests for zone 9b
Ranked by how many crops in your zone they affect. Click through for IPM controls and signs to watch for.
Multiple species (Aphididae)
Small soft-bodied sap-sucking insects that reproduce explosively in spring. Excrete honeydew that supports sooty mold and attracts ants. Transmit viral diseases.
Multiple species (Aleyrodidae)
Tiny white moth-like flying insects that feed on plant sap and excrete honeydew. Transmit numerous viral diseases including tomato yellow leaf curl virus.
Meloidogyne species
Microscopic soil-dwelling worm that forms galls on roots, reducing vigor and yield.
Tetranychus urticae
Tiny mite that feeds on leaf undersides, causing stippling and webbing during hot dry weather.
Multiple species (Chrysomelidae)
Tiny black or bronze jumping beetles that put hundreds of small holes in seedling leaves. Most damaging on direct-seeded brassicas and young eggplant.
Odocoileus species
Whitetail and mule deer browse can devastate orchards and gardens, particularly in winter when food is scarce. Antler rub on young trunks kills saplings outright.
Pseudococcidae spp.
Soft white waxy insects that cluster at leaf joints, fruit stems, and root crowns. Honeydew secretion supports sooty mold; root mealybugs cause decline that mimics drought.
Coccoidea spp.
Sap-sucking insects that attach to bark, leaves, and fruit, secreting honeydew that fuels sooty mold. Heavy infestations weaken trees and cause leaf yellowing.
Top diseases for zone 9b
Ranked by how many crops in your zone they affect. Click through for symptoms, controls, and resistant varieties.
Pseudoperonospora cubensis (cucurbits) and others
Water mold (oomycete, not a true fungus) that thrives in cool damp conditions. Spreads rapidly through cucurbit and brassica plantings on wind-borne spores.
Cucumber mosaic virus, Tobacco mosaic virus, and others
Family of plant viruses producing mottled yellow-and-green leaf patterns. Vectored primarily by aphids; some are seed-transmitted or spread by handling tools and tobacco products.
Pythium and Rhizoctonia species
Soil-borne complex of water molds and fungi that kill seedlings before or shortly after emergence. The single most common cause of seed-starting failures.
Fusarium oxysporum
Soil-borne fungal disease that plugs vascular tissue and kills affected plants. Persists in soil for many years; impossible to eliminate once established.
Sclerotium rolfsii
Soil-borne fungal disease most damaging in warm humid Southern conditions. White mycelial fans and small mustard-seed-sized sclerotia at the soil line are diagnostic.
Calcium deficiency physiological disorder
Not a true disease but a calcium-uptake disorder caused by inconsistent soil moisture during fruit development. The dominant cause of damaged first-fruit on home tomato plantings.
Capnodium spp.
Black fungal coating that grows on honeydew secreted by aphids, scale, mealybugs, and whiteflies. Doesn't infect plant tissue directly but blocks photosynthesis and disfigures fruit.
Tomato spotted wilt orthotospovirus (TSWV)
Virus vectored by thrips, particularly western flower thrips. Wide host range and growing global distribution. No cure once infected.
Companion planting suggestions
Beneficial pairings drawn from companion data, filtered to crops that grow in zone 9b.
- Fig + Rosemary
Rosemary tolerates the dry sites figs prefer and provides aromatic pest deterrence.
- Tomato + Basil
The classic Italian pairing. Basil's volatile oils are reported to repel hornworms and whiteflies, and the two crops share the same warm-season schedule and water needs. Plant basil between tomato cages.
- Sweet Pepper + Basil
Same warm-season culture, same watering schedule. Basil reportedly improves pepper flavor and repels aphids and thrips that are pepper's primary pests.
- Hot Pepper + Basil
Compatible heat-loving culture, similar water needs. Basil interplanted between hot pepper plants supports beneficial insects and reduces aphid pressure.
- Lettuce + Tomato
Lettuce planted at tomato's base benefits from afternoon shade as the tomato grows, extending the lettuce harvest into early summer. Different root depths avoid competition.
- Cabbage + Onion
Onion smell confuses cabbage moth. Both prefer similar moisture and fertility. The onion-cabbage interplanting is a Northern European tradition.
Soil types reference
Soil texture and pH decide what grows easily on your specific lot. Find the closest match below for crop recommendations and amendment guidance.
Practical tips for Phoenix
- Treat the garden as two seasons: A cool-season (October to May) where most vegetables thrive, and a heat-endurance season (June to September) reserved for shade-protected perennials and the hardiest annuals, such as Armenian cucumber and desert-adapted melons. This flips the mental model most gardeners bring from other zones.
- Protect winter plantings from the January 8 frost window: Install frost cloth on temporary frames (PVC hoops or metal stakes) in late October and remove in early February. Damage to frost-sensitive crops is otherwise likely. Many Phoenix gardeners maintain permanent frost-cloth infrastructure.
- Invest in high-quality drip irrigation before planting: Phoenix's low humidity and constant sun demand consistent soil moisture, and hand-watering is unreliable. Automated drip systems pay for themselves in crop survival within a single season.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the best crops for growing in Phoenix?
Figs, pomegranates, jujubes, goji berries, and Asian persimmons thrive with minimal intervention. For vegetables, focus on heat-loving peppers and tomatoes in the fall/winter cycle, and Armenian cucumber and desert melons in summer with shade cloth protection.
- When should I plant tomatoes in Phoenix?
Tomatoes are a fall/winter crop here, not spring/summer. Plant in late August through September for harvest October through January. Spring plantings bolt and produce little before June heat shuts down flowering.
- What's the single biggest frost risk in Phoenix?
The January 8 last-frost date catches many gardeners off guard. Winter-planted tomatoes, peppers, and other tender annuals are vulnerable through early January, despite the zone 9b rating. Frost cloth is inexpensive insurance.
- Can I really garden year-round in Phoenix?
Nearly. The 354-day growing season (January 8 to December 25) and zone 9b winters support continuous harvest. The catch is that summer 'gardening' means managing established perennials and heat-adapted crops in shade, not planting and sowing.
- How do I manage the summer heat?
Shade cloth (30 to 50 percent density) protects even heat-lovers from excessive sun stress June through August. Consistent drip irrigation is non-negotiable. Prioritize perennials and shade-loving herbs during summer; reserve most vegetable sowing for fall.
- Are Phoenix soils naturally good for gardening?
No. Phoenix soils are typically alkaline (7.5 to 8.2 pH) and poor in organic matter. Any perennial crop requires soil amendment: work in 2 to 3 inches of compost and consider sulfur to lower pH before planting.
+−
+−
+−
+−
+−
+−
Frost data: NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020, station USW00003184. Local microclimates can shift these dates by a week or more.
Related