What to plant this week in Mesa, AZ
Mesa gardeners are deep in the heart of summer heat, with frost dates firmly locked behind us since late January. This week focuses on harvesting early crops like basil and bush beans while sowing warm-season giants such as zucchini and cantaloupe to beat the afternoon sun.
The next 7 days
Mesa, AZGrowing in Mesa right now
- Protect young transplants from intense 10 AM to 4 PM heat by using shade cloth or placing them under taller umbrellas until they establish deep roots.
- Mesa's alkaline, clay-heavy soil often bakes hard during dry spells; mix in generous amounts of compost and apply mulch heavily to retain moisture for your squash and melons.
- Water deeply and early in the morning rather than evening to prevent fungal issues on leafy greens like Malabar spinach and fennel that are ready for harvest soon.
- Take advantage of our consistent warmth now to start those fall favorites, specifically Black-Eyed Susans and Borage, which thrive before the monsoon humidity sets in later this year.
Sow this week
34 crops- Basil
- Black-Eyed Susan
- Borage
- Bush Bean
- Cantaloupe
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cosmos
- Cowpea (Black-Eyed Pea)
- Cucumber
- Edamame
- Fennel
- Flour Corn
- French Marigold
- Garden Verbena
- Gourd (Ornamental/Bottle)
- Honeydew Melon
- Lima Bean
- Malabar Spinach
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Pole Bean
- Pumpkin
- Scarlet Runner Bean
- Shiso (Japanese Basil)
- Summer Savory
- Sunflower
- Sweet Corn
- Thai Basil
- Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)
- Watermelon
- Winter Squash
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zinnia
- Zucchini
Transplant this week
Nothing is due to go out this week.
Harvest soon
36 crops- Basil
- Borage
- Bush Bean
- Cantaloupe
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cosmos
- Cowpea (Black-Eyed Pea)
- Cucumber
- Edamame
- Fennel
- Flour Corn
- French Marigold
- Garden Verbena
- Garlic
- Gourd (Ornamental/Bottle)
- Honeydew Melon
- Lima Bean
- Loofah (Luffa)
- Malabar Spinach
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Pole Bean
- Pumpkin
- Roselle (Cranberry Hibiscus)
- Scarlet Runner Bean
- Shiso (Japanese Basil)
- Summer Savory
- Sunflower
- Sweet Corn
- Thai Basil
- Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)
- Watermelon
- Winter Squash
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zinnia
- Zucchini
Seasonal tips
- Start succession planting for bush beans and summer squash now to ensure a continuous harvest through the heat of August.
- Pinch back the tops of Basil, Shiso, and Thai Basil regularly today to encourage bushier growth and prevent flowering.
- Divide overcrowded Sunflowers or Zinnias if they are becoming leggy, replanting them for a fresh round of blooms.
Pest & disease watch
- Spider mites are exploding on leafy crops like Malabar spinach due to the dry heat; spray with a strong jet of water or use neem oil early in the day.
- Cutworms frequently attack young sunflower and tomato seedlings at night, so check stems daily for chewed bases and apply diatomaceous earth as a barrier.
- Aphids often cluster on new growth of basil and Thai basil; blast them off with a hose spray or introduce ladybugs if infestations persist.
Watering this week
Water deeply at the base of vegetable plants during the hottest part of the day to keep roots cool and soil moisture consistent.
Interplant fast-maturing Bush Beans with slower-growing Pumpkins or Winter Squash to maximize space in your garden bed.
Mesa gardening questions
3Can I still plant cool-season crops in Mesa this week?
Not really, as our nights rarely dip low enough to support frost-tender plants like lettuce or peas at this time of year. Instead, focus on your warm-season list like cowpeas and okra which are perfectly timed for immediate sowing.
My zucchini plants have yellowing leaves; is it a problem?
Given Mesa's common clay soil issues, yellowing often indicates root stress from poor drainage or lack of nitrogen. Ensure you are watering deeply in the morning and consider side-dressing with compost to boost nutrition before harvest.
When should I stop harvesting my watermelon and cantaloupe?
Continue picking these whenever they reach full size and show a distinct color change near the stem, as they can get tough if left too long in our scorching midsummer sun. Check daily once they hit peak ripeness to enjoy them while fresh.
Other cities in zone 9b
10See the full zone 9b guide → · Plan your Mesa garden in SproutGuide →