What to plant this week in Tucson, AZ
With the last frost date historically hovering around Jan 30, Tucson gardeners are well past any risk of freezing and should be aggressively starting summer crops. This week marks the peak harvest window for heat-lovers like watermelon, honeydew melon, and okra that thrive in our intense desert sun.
The next 7 days
Tucson, AZGrowing in Tucson right now
- Our arid climate demands consistent deep watering to prevent root shock during this dry spell; apply mulch heavily to retain moisture in sandy soils.
- While we are technically in Zone 9b, afternoon heat spikes can scorch tender new transplants, so focus on shading young seedlings until they establish deep roots.
- Native bees are highly active now, making it critical to avoid using broad-spectrum insecticides near your pollinator-friendly blooms like zinnias and cosmos.
Sow this week
18 crops- Basil
- Borage
- Bush Bean
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cucumber
- French Marigold
- Malabar Spinach
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Pole Bean
- Scarlet Runner Bean
- Shiso (Japanese Basil)
- Summer Savory
- Thai Basil
- Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)
- 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
- Succession sow fast-maturing varieties like bush beans to extend your harvest window before the first frost in mid-December.
- Mulch around summer squash and pumpkin plants now to retain soil moisture as temperatures begin their annual dip.
- Prune back any leggy tomato or pepper vines if they are still growing, but be gentle with heavy harvest crops.
Pest & disease watch
- Spider mites often explode in population during hot, dry weeks, causing stippling damage on the undersides of squash and bean leaves.
- Aphids frequently colonize the new growth of fennel and nasturtiums, requiring immediate hand-picking or a strong water spray to control outbreaks.
- Cutworms may still be lingering near base stems of late-planted pole beans, so check seedlings nightly before they are buried and damaged.
Watering this week
Water deeply in the late afternoon to keep soil cool, ensuring consistent moisture for your heavy feeders like okra and cucumbers.
Save seeds from your zinnias and sunflowers now while they are still green to ensure a fresh batch for next year's bloom.
Tucson gardening questions
3Can I transplant my summer squash seeds now since the frost danger is over?
No, do not attempt to transplant anything this week; wait until you have hardened off your plants outdoors for several weeks before moving them to permanent beds. Start all new summer crops like zucchini and yellow summer squash directly in their final containers or garden spots instead.
My cantaloupe vines are growing fast but producing no fruit, what am I missing?
In Tucson's heat, ensure you have at least three days of temperatures above 90°F to trigger bloom-to-fruit set, and make sure your bees have access to pollen sources. Check that the female flower has a small swollen ovary at its base, as this is where the melon will develop.
Is it too late to plant garlic for winter harvest in our zone?
Absolutely not; you can still sow garlic cloves now in Tucson, though they may establish roots before the peak cold rather than during a deep freeze. Harvest your existing winter squash and pumpkins this week while their sugars are at their highest.
Other cities in zone 9b
10See the full zone 9b guide → · Plan your Tucson garden in SproutGuide →