What to plant this week in Phoenix, AZ
In Phoenix, this week marks the tail end of the cool season as daytime highs climb into the 80s while nights dip near our zone 10a minimum of 30°F. Gardeners should immediately begin harvesting your acorn and butternut squashes before they drop, while sowing hardy winter crops like Daikon radish and Lisianthus to take advantage of the mild air.
The next 7 days
Phoenix, AZGrowing in Phoenix right now
- Protect newly transplanted or cool-season annuals from evening chills by covering them with row fabric if temperatures dip toward 30°F after sunset.
- Phoenix soil tends to bake out quickly; water harvested crops like zucchini and squash deeply in the early morning to prevent scorching before the midday heat returns.
- Now is the perfect time to direct-sow Daikon radish and Lisianthus (Prairie Gentian) into prepared beds, as they thrive in our current window of moderate warmth.
- Monitor heavy clay patches for cracking; apply a thick layer of organic mulch to retain moisture once night temperatures consistently rise above 40°F.
Sow this week
2 crops- Daikon Radish
- Lisianthus (Prairie Gentian)
Transplant this week
Nothing is due to go out this week.
Harvest soon
43 crops- Acorn Squash
- Basil
- Borage
- Bush Bean
- Butternut Squash
- Cantaloupe
- Celosia (Cockscomb)
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cosmos
- Cowpea (Black-Eyed Pea)
- Cucumber
- Delicata Squash
- Edamame
- Fennel
- Flour Corn
- French Marigold
- Garden Verbena
- Gomphrena (Globe Amaranth)
- Gourd (Ornamental/Bottle)
- Honeydew Melon
- Lima Bean
- Loofah (Luffa)
- Malabar Spinach
- Morning Glory
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Pole Bean
- Pumpkin
- Purslane
- Roselle (Cranberry Hibiscus)
- Scarlet Runner Bean
- Shiso (Japanese Basil)
- Spaghetti Squash
- 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 cucumbers every two weeks to extend your summer harvest window.
- Mulch around newly planted okra and summer savory to retain moisture as temperatures climb.
- Deadhead zinnias and cosmos frequently to encourage continuous blooming through the heat.
Pest & disease watch
- Spider mites are often suppressed by the heat but may flare up if humidity spikes or plants become stressed during sudden cooling snaps.
- Watch for squash vine borers attacking your growing harvest soon list, including Acorn Squash and Delicata Squash, as larvae seek refuge in the soil after feeding on stems.
- Aphids frequently colonize the tender new growth of Shiso and Basil varieties now that nights have become slightly cooler.
Watering this week
Water deeply in the morning to reduce evaporation and keep soil consistently moist but not soggy during this warm season.
Harvest zucchini and yellow summer squash daily when they are young to prevent them from becoming tough and seedy.
Phoenix gardening questions
3Can I still plant tomatoes or peppers this week in Phoenix?
No, it is too late for most warm-weather transplants like tomatoes or peppers as our zone 10a schedule dictates they are best started indoors weeks earlier. Focus your efforts on the 'sow now' list items like Daikon Radish and Lisianthus instead.
When should I start harvesting my winter squash varieties?
Your Acorn Squash, Butternut Squash, and Delicata Squash are ready to harvest soon, indicated by fully colored rinds and a loss of sheen on the skin. Leave about an inch of stem attached when cutting them from the vine in Phoenix soil.
Are there any cool-season flowers I can add right now?
Yes, you can successfully sow Cosmos, Zinnia, and Cleome (Spider Flower) this week to fill gaps before the intense summer heat arrives. These will bloom beautifully as temperatures stabilize above 60°F.
Other cities in zone 10a
6See the full zone 10a guide → · Plan your Phoenix garden in SproutGuide →