What to plant this week in Scottsdale, AZ
Scottsdale gardeners, this week marks the peak of your frost-free growing season as temperatures consistently hover around 25°F minimums. It is harvest time for nearly all your summer crops from basil to zucchini, while new sowings like sunflowers and scarlet runner beans can be started directly into these hot soils.
The next 7 days
Scottsdale, AZGrowing in Scottsdale right now
- The intense afternoon sun in Scottsdale will scorch young seedlings; provide temporary shade cloth or dappled shade for any transplants you might attempt if a rare cool spell occurs, though direct sowing is preferred now.
- With rainfall being scarce and erratic this time of year, rely heavily on your drip irrigation systems to keep the deep soil moisture required by pumpkins and winter squash without wasting water on evaporation.
- Scottsdale's alkaline desert clay can become hydrophobic when dry; pre-wet planting beds thoroughly before sowing corn or beans to ensure seeds reach moist soil rather than sitting in baked-in pockets.
- Mulch heavily around the base of okra and melons with straw or wood chips to reflect excess heat back onto the plant and conserve moisture during these dry weeks.
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
- Aphids are exploding on the new growth of sunflowers and zinnias due to the perfect hot weather; spray a strong stream of water from your hose to knock them off immediately.
- Spider mites are becoming a major threat in the low humidity, targeting the undersides of basil leaves and causing stippling that ruins harvest quality if not caught early.
- Cutworms frequently attack young seedlings of cucumbers and beans at night; place collars around stems or hand-pick them after sunset when they are most active.
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.
Scottsdale gardening questions
3Can I finally start my sweet corn now, or do I need to wait for cooler nights?
You can sow sweet corn directly in the ground this week since Scottsdale has no chance of frost and night temps stay well above 25°F. Just ensure you plant them deep enough (1-2 inches) so they establish roots quickly before the heat intensifies further.
My zucchini plants are growing fast but look wilted in the midday sun; is this normal?
Wilt during peak afternoon heat is common for zucchini in Scottsdale, but if it persists after evening watering or looks permanent, check for root rot in our heavy clay soil. Ensure your mulch layer is thick enough to keep roots cool and water deeply rather than shallowly.
I want to plant basil next week; should I start from seed or buy a transplant?
Since basil appears on both the sow-now and harvest-soon lists, you can start fresh seeds now for continuous succession planting alongside your existing crop. Alternatively, if you need immediate leaves, your current plants are ready to harvest heavily without damaging the main plant.
Other cities in zone 9b
10See the full zone 9b guide → · Plan your Scottsdale garden in SproutGuide →