When to plant in Arizona
Arizona spans USDA hardiness zones 7a-10b. Average last spring frost: mid March (south) / mid May (north). Average first fall frost: mid November (south) / mid September (north). This calendar is anchored to University of Arizona Cooperative Extension's recommendations, with timing adjusted for the dominant climate zone of the state.
Arizona at a glance
| USDA hardiness zones | 7a-10b |
| Region | Desert Southwest |
| Average last spring frost | mid March (south) / mid May (north) |
| Average first fall frost | mid November (south) / mid September (north) |
| Primary Extension service | University of Arizona Cooperative Extension |
What grows particularly well in Arizona
These are the crops, ornamentals, and trees University of Arizona Cooperative Extension highlights as well-suited to Arizona's climate:
- citrus
- date palm
- olive
- agave
- desert milkweed
- prickly pear
Arizona planting calendar
Dates are approximate and based on the dominant USDA zone for the state. For zone-specific timing, use the zone finder by ZIP code and frost date lookup tools.
Spring planting (after last frost: mid March (south) / mid May (north))
Cool-season vegetables (start 2-6 weeks before last frost outdoors): lettuce, spinach, peas, radishes, carrots, beets, kale, broccoli transplants, cabbage transplants.
Warm-season vegetables (after last frost, soil 60F+): tomato transplants, pepper transplants, beans (direct sow), cucumbers, squash, melons. See the seed starting timeline tool for indoor start dates.
Annual flowers (after last frost): zinnia, marigold, cosmos, sunflower, nasturtium.
Perennials, shrubs, trees: Plant in spring after soil thaws but before summer heat. Best window in Arizona: 4-6 weeks after last frost.
Summer (June - August)
Maintenance season for most Arizona gardens. Mulch heavily, water deeply (1 inch per week), pinch back mums for fall bloom, hand-pull weeds, harvest summer vegetables. Plant fall vegetable starts indoors by mid-July.
Fall planting (before first frost: mid November (south) / mid September (north))
Cool-season vegetables (6-8 weeks before first frost): lettuce, spinach, radish, kale, broccoli, cabbage transplants. Per Penn State Extension, fall vegetable production can equal or exceed spring production with proper timing.
Spring-flowering bulbs: tulip, daffodil, allium, crocus, hyacinth. Plant 4-6 weeks before ground freezes. In Arizona: typically October-November.
Perennials, shrubs, trees: Fall is the best planting season for woody plants in most of Arizona - cooler temperatures + autumn rains reduce transplant stress. Plant 6+ weeks before first hard freeze.
Garlic: Plant cloves in October-November. Harvest the following July.
Winter (December - February)
Most of Arizona is in dormancy. Tasks: order seeds, plan next year, dormant prune fruit trees (February), order bare-root plants for spring delivery. Avoid foot traffic on frozen lawns.
Common Arizona challenges
Desert heat (110F+); monsoon flooding; alkaline soil; chlorosis from iron deficiency; reverse-season gardening (fall planted) in low desert. For region-specific guidance, see our Desert Southwest regional gardening guide.
Where to get Arizona-specific advice
The most reliable source for local growing advice is your county Extension office. University of Arizona Cooperative Extension has county offices that provide free soil testing, plant disease diagnosis, and growing recommendations specific to your microclimate.
Visit University of Arizona Cooperative Extension for the office nearest you.
Related tools and guides
- Find your USDA zone by ZIP code
- Look up your average frost dates
- Seasonal care calendar by zone
- Seed starting timeline calculator
- Desert Southwest regional gardening guide