What to plant this week in Phoenix, AZ
Phoenix gardeners this week are in the thick of summer heat, where frost is a distant memory since last January and your focus shifts entirely to harvest and shade management. With nights dipping only to 30°F, you can continue sowing warm-season staples like okra and zucchini while picking fresh basil and watermelon from your established beds.
The next 7 days
Phoenix, AZGrowing in Phoenix right now
- Water early in the morning to minimize evaporation during our intense midday sun, especially critical for thirsty crops like pumpkins and cucumbers.
- Apply 2-3 inches of organic mulch around transplants to keep root zones cool as we slide further into July heat.
- Monitor soil moisture closely; Phoenix clay can hold water but also heats up rapidly, requiring frequent checks in exposed areas.
- If planting new seeds, consider using shade cloth or delaying sowing by a few days if temperatures spike above 105°F.
Sow this week
33 crops- Basil
- 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
35 crops- Basil
- 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
- 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
- Succession sow bush beans and pole beans every two weeks to ensure a steady harvest throughout the growing season.
- Pinch back the tips of basil and summer savory regularly to encourage bushier growth and prevent flowering.
- Apply a light layer of mulch around newly transplanted squash and pumpkins to retain moisture as soil warms up.
Pest & disease watch
- Watch for aphids clustering on the undersides of sweet corn and bean leaves, which thrive in our humid evenings.
- Scout melons and squash for squash vine borers now that vines are actively growing and vulnerable to tunneling.
- Check for spider mites on French marigolds and zinnias as heat stress makes plants more susceptible to infestation.
Watering this week
Water deeply at the base of plants every 2-3 days during this hot season to keep roots cool and productive.
Harvest young zucchini fruits daily when they are small to signal the plant to continue producing more fruit.
Phoenix gardening questions
3Can I still start my summer vegetables from seed this week in Phoenix?
Yes, you can sow warm-season crops like bush beans and sunflowers directly into the ground now since our last frost was over a month ago. However, for larger seeds like melons or squash, ensure they get morning shade to prevent seed rot before germination.
When should I expect my first harvest from this week's plantings?
Fast-maturing crops like basil and bush beans may begin producing within three weeks, while cucumbers and okra typically yield in 45-60 days. Keep an eye on your cantaloupe vines; fruit set usually begins soon after the first flowers appear.
How do I protect my harvest from common local birds like quail and doves?
Use lightweight row covers or netting specifically designed for vegetables to deter quail from pecking at ripening berries and beans. For larger pests like doves, hang reflective tape near your watermelon patch to startle them away.
Other cities in zone 10a
6See the full zone 10a guide → · Plan your Phoenix garden in SproutGuide →