What to plant this week in Scottsdale, AZ
Scottsdale gardeners are in the thick of peak summer heat, with average lows hovering around 25°F only during rare winter dips and frost dates firmly locked away from this time of year. This week marks a critical harvest window for water-intensive crops like Butternut Squash and Watermelon that have thrived under our intense desert sun.
The next 7 days
Scottsdale, AZGrowing in Scottsdale right now
- Prioritize deep, infrequent watering for transplants and heavy feeders like Acorn Squash to push roots past the shallow, hot topsoil layer typical of this region.
- Apply a thick layer of organic mulch immediately around Zinnias and Cosmuses to retain moisture and keep root zones cool during our prolonged dry spells.
- Delay any new sowings until after the next monsoon pulse or late summer rains, as dry-land varieties like Daikon Radish struggle without consistent soil moisture this week.
Sow this week
1 crops- Daikon Radish
Transplant this week
Nothing is due to go out this week.
Harvest soon
44 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
- Garlic
- 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
- Start succession planting cool-season greens now that the ground has warmed up slightly after the last frost date.
- Apply a light layer of mulch around established squash and melons to retain moisture as summer heat approaches.
- Divide and transplant perennials like borage and verbena while they are still dormant or just starting to grow.
Pest & disease watch
- Spider mites are exploding in our high-desert heat, often turning the undersides of Celosia and Cleome leaves dusty white; spray with strong water jets to knock them off.
- Thrips frequently infest newly blooming Zinnias and Marigolds, leaving stippled silver marks that can be managed by increasing humidity locally or using insecticidal soap.
Watering this week
Water deeply in the early morning to conserve heat and reduce evaporation during these mild days.
Harvest your acorn and butternut squash soon while the skin is still hardening to ensure long-term storage success.
Scottsdale gardening questions
3Can I transplant my Basil or Bush Beans now, or should I wait?
Transplanting is risky right now due to the scorching afternoon sun; it is much safer to start these seeds indoors and harden them off gradually before moving them out after a cool evening.
My Acorn Squash vines are sprawling but not producing fruit yet—what am I missing?
Ensure your plants have access to deep water regularly, as our dry air causes rapid moisture loss that can stall flowering if the roots aren't hydrated consistently.
Is it safe to sow Daikon Radish now, or do I need to wait for cooler weather?
You can sow them today since they are heat-tolerant, but keep the soil consistently moist as our current dry spell makes germination difficult without supplemental watering.
Other cities in zone 9b
10See the full zone 9b guide → · Plan your Scottsdale garden in SproutGuide →