Local planting guide · Southwest
zip 85060
Phoenix is in USDA hardiness zone 10a, with average winter lows of 30°F to 35°F. The local growing season runs roughly 01/05 through 01/03 (~365 days). This zip falls within the Southwest growing region.
- USDA zone
- 10a 30°F to 35°F
- Last spring frost
- 01/05
- First fall frost
- 01/03
- Growing season
- 365 days
- Compatible crops
- 28
- 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 zone 10a location offers one of the longest growing seasons in North America, with frost risk limited to early January. The dominant challenge isn't cold but heat and water. Winters (November through February) are ideal for gardening: mild, frost-free after January 5, and sunny. This window favors Mediterranean and cool-season crops including figs, pomegranates, goji berries, and winter vegetables. Summers (June through September) are brutal, with temperatures regularly exceeding 100°F and afternoon sun intensity that stresses most tender plants. Tomatoes and peppers are reliable producers in Phoenix, but summer varieties planted for June harvest require heat-tolerant selections and afternoon shade protection. The low desert humidity prevents many fungal diseases common in humid regions, but intense solar exposure and minimal rainfall demand heavy irrigation and careful plant placement. Spring (March-May) and fall (September-November) are secondary growing windows when temperature and day-length favor a wider range of crops.
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 10a, drawn from the broader USDA zone profile.
- ▸ No chilling for traditional temperate fruit
- ▸ Hurricane exposure
- ▸ Heat-tolerant cultivars only
What defeats new gardeners in Phoenix
Phoenix's biggest challenge is the brutal June-September summer, when temperatures exceed 100°F and afternoon sun intensity causes leaf scorch and sunburn on exposed fruit. Tender perennials like tomatoes and peppers require shade cloth or strategic afternoon shading by July. Sporadic cold snaps in early January, though infrequent, can damage frost-sensitive plants like citrus or pomegranate if warm December weather triggered growth. The desert's low humidity and intense sun accelerate water loss from soil, requiring reliable drip irrigation or mulch-heavy cultivation; plants cannot rely on seasonal rainfall and must be watered through most of the year. Sudden temperature swings between day (100°F+) and night (70°F) in spring and fall can stress mid-growth plants and cause flower or fruit drop.
Crops that grow in Phoenix
28 crops from our catalog match zone 10a, grouped by type.
Tree fruit
12 crops
zone 10a Fig
Ficus carica
zones 7a–10b
zone 10a Asian Persimmon
Diospyros kaki
zones 7a–10a
zone 10a Pomegranate
Punica granatum
zones 7b–10a
zone 10a Lemon
Citrus limon
zones 9a–11b
zone 10a Orange
Citrus sinensis
zones 9a–11b
zone 10a Lime
Citrus aurantiifolia
zones 9b–11b
zone 10a Grapefruit
Citrus paradisi
zones 9a–11b
zone 10a Avocado
Persea americana
zones 9b–11b
Berries
3 crops
Nuts
1 crop
Vegetables
10 crops
zone 10a Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum
zones 3a–10b
zone 10a Sweet Pepper
Capsicum annuum
zones 4a–10b
zone 10a Hot Pepper
Capsicum species
zones 4a–10b
zone 10a Eggplant
Solanum melongena
zones 5a–10b
zone 10a Cucumber
Cucumis sativus
zones 3b–10a
zone 10a Summer Squash
Cucurbita pepo
zones 3b–10a
zone 10a Melon
Cucumis melo
zones 5a–10a
zone 10a Watermelon
Citrullus lanatus
zones 5b–10a
Herbs
2 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 10a)
Quiet week in Phoenix, AZ (zone 10a). this week is a good time to step back and plan ahead.
Nothing critical on the calendar this week.
147 bars · 28 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 10a
Ranked by how many crops in your zone they affect. Click through for IPM controls and signs to watch for.
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.
Meloidogyne species
Microscopic soil-dwelling worm that forms galls on roots, reducing vigor and yield.
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.
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.
Tetranychus urticae
Tiny mite that feeds on leaf undersides, causing stippling and webbing during hot dry weather.
Ceratitis capitata
Quarantine pest in many regions. Adult females puncture ripening fruit to lay eggs; larvae tunnel through the flesh, causing premature drop and rot.
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.
Top diseases for zone 10a
Ranked by how many crops in your zone they affect. Click through for symptoms, controls, and resistant varieties.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Colletotrichum gloeosporioides
Most damaging mango disease worldwide. Fungal spores infect blossoms and developing fruit during humid weather, producing black sunken lesions that expand on ripening fruit.
Multiple species (Erysiphales)
Surface-feeding fungal disease producing white powdery growth on leaves and stems. Reduces yield by stealing photosynthate and accelerating senescence.
Companion planting suggestions
Beneficial pairings drawn from companion data, filtered to crops that grow in zone 10a.
- 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.
- Okra + Hot Pepper
Both heat-loving warm-season crops with similar water and fertility needs. Hot pepper at okra's base benefits from the slight afternoon shade in extreme summer heat.
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
- Leverage Phoenix's cool season (November-March) by planting figs, pomegranates, and Mediterranean herbs in fall; these establish deep roots through winter and produce heavily by late spring without summer stress.
- Time tomato and pepper plantings for early February-March for April-May harvest before June heat stalls flowering. A second planting in late July for fall harvest is feasible if shade cloth (30% shade) is deployed through August.
- Deploy shade cloth (30-40% shade) by late May for warm-season crops that must persist through summer; afternoon shade is essential after June 1 to prevent fruit scald and leaf burn.
- Mulch heavily year-round to moderate soil temperature swings and reduce irrigation demand; maintain 3-4 inches of wood chip mulch around established plants to prevent rapid evaporation.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the best crops to grow in Phoenix's zone 10a?
Figs, pomegranates, goji berries, and Asian persimmons thrive with minimal care. Tomatoes and peppers produce reliably if planted for spring (February-March) or fall (July-August) harvest. Citrus, lettuce, and winter herbs flourish October through March.
- When should I plant tomatoes in Phoenix?
Plant tomatoes in early February through March for April-May harvest before June heat stalls flowering. A second crop planted in late July can produce through fall if shade cloth (30% shade) is used through August. Direct planting in April or June rarely succeeds.
- What's the biggest weather threat in Phoenix gardens?
Unexpected frost in early January can damage tender perennials like citrus and pomegranate, particularly if warm December weather triggered new growth. More damaging are rapid temperature swings between day (80°F) and night (35°F) in late February-March, which cause flower drop on spring bloomers.
- Can I grow citrus successfully in Phoenix?
Yes. Satsuma mandarins, navels, and grapefruits tolerate Phoenix's January low of 30-35°F. Lemons and limes are frost-sensitive and risky. Protect young trees with frost cloth if a hard freeze threatens in early January.
- What's the best time to establish new perennial crops in Phoenix?
Plant figs, pomegranates, and other woody crops in October-November to establish roots through the mild winter. Spring planting (March-April) is possible but stressful; plants have little time to root before June heat and intense afternoon sun arrive.
- Do I need to water my garden year-round in Phoenix?
Yes. Phoenix receives minimal rainfall even in winter. Every plant needs deep watering weekly or more October through May and twice-weekly June through September. Mulch (3-4 inches) is essential to reduce evaporation and moderate soil temperature swings.
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Frost data: NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020, station USW00023183. Local microclimates can shift these dates by a week or more.
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