Local planting guide · Southwest
zip 85086
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 occupies an unusual niche in zone 9b, not because of cold, but because of extreme heat. The zone's temperature floor of 25 to 30°F means hard freezes are rare but possible (roughly once every 5 to 10 years), so tender tropicals need winter shelter during exceptional cold snaps. The more pressing constraint is the opposite: summers reach 110°F regularly, with July-August peak heat often exceeding 115°F. This creates a near-year-round growing season (354 frost-free days), but with a paradoxical rhythm. Cool-season crops shrivel in May through early October. Heat-lovers like figs, pomegranates, jujubes, goji berries, and peppers thrive where other regions struggle. The real skill in Phoenix gardening is matching crop timing to the heat cycle, not protecting against frost. Irrigation is non-negotiable in the desert; rainfall is sparse, and evaporation relentless. Most soils run alkaline, suiting citrus and stone fruits but complicating acid-preferring plants.
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
The first challenge is summer heat stress. Tomatoes, peppers, and even citrus can suffer blossom-drop or sunscald when temperatures stay above 95°F for extended periods. Choosing heat-tolerant varieties and providing afternoon shade during July-August is essential. The second is the occasional hard freeze. When polar vortex events push temperatures into the 20s, unprotected avocados, young citrus, and tender plants freeze back or die. The third is water quality and soil alkalinity. Phoenix tap water carries high mineral content, and desert soils trend alkaline, making it difficult to grow acid-preferring plants without significant amendment.
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
First, plant stone fruits, citrus, and figs in fall (September-October). They establish deep roots through the mild winter and spring, then better handle peak summer heat by their second year. Second, employ summer shade strategically, 30 to 50 percent shade cloth over tomatoes and peppers during July and August prevents blossom-drop and fruit scald. Third, stagger plantings of warm-season crops carefully. Transplants in late January-February mature before extreme heat. A second round can start in July-August for a fall harvest once daily highs drop below 95°F.
Frequently asked questions
- What crops grow best in Phoenix?
Heat and drought-tolerant fruiting crops excel: figs, pomegranates, jujubes, dates, and goji berries thrive with minimal water once established. Citrus (oranges, lemons, grapefruits), stone fruits (peaches, apricots), and almonds are reliable. Peppers and okra dominate summer. Cool-season vegetables (lettuce, spinach, brassicas, kale) grow winter through early spring.
- When should I plant tomatoes and peppers in Phoenix?
Plant transplants in late January or early February for a spring harvest before extreme heat. For a fall crop, start seeds in July and transplant seedlings in late August-September once daily highs drop below 95°F. Direct seeding outdoors typically fails in the intense dry heat.
- How do I protect plants from winter freezes?
Hard freezes are rare but do occur. Tender plants like avocado and young citrus benefit from frost cloth or burlap during December-February. Water lightly before an expected freeze to protect roots. Most established stone fruits and figs are hardy enough for Phoenix winters without protection.
- How much shade do crops need during summer?
Tomatoes and peppers benefit from 30 to 50 percent shade cloth during July-August. Lettuce and leafy greens need similar protection to survive peak heat. Citrus, stone fruits, and heat-lovers like pomegranate usually manage full sun year-round once established, though afternoon shade during peak heat can improve fruit quality.
- What's the biggest watering challenge in Phoenix?
Desert heat causes rapid evaporation, especially for containers, which may need daily watering in summer. Mulch heavily to retain soil moisture. Drip irrigation is far more efficient than sprinklers. Monitor soil regularly, it dries faster than most gardeners expect, and inconsistent watering stresses fruit quality and plant vigor.
- Can I grow acid-loving plants like blueberries in Phoenix?
Blueberries struggle in Phoenix's alkaline soils and intense heat. Container growing with acidified potting mix and substantial afternoon shade is the only realistic option. Pomegranate or goji berry are better choices for berry-like fruit that suits Phoenix conditions without constant amendment.
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Frost data: NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020, station USW00003184. Local microclimates can shift these dates by a week or more.
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