| Would like to plant some vegetables here in Phoenix. When is the best time to plant something? Just can not do any planting inthe summer. |
| I hear you! Our summers can be tough, but surprisingly there are some vegetables that will do well. There are two distinct growing seasons in the low desert with different annuals thriving in each season. There's a cool season from approximately the end of September through April. Annuals can be installed from September to February. The warm season starts with planting in mid to late February. Some plants will make it through the summer's heat; others will end their growth when the heat arrives. A rule of thumb for determing when to plant is that cool season crops are those which you eat the stems, leaves, and roots, such as lettuces, greens, carrots, beets, onions, etc. Warm season crops are those which you eat the fruits, such as tomatoes, melons, peppers, etc. A good reference book that contains planting calendars for the low desert is called "Desert Gardening for Beginners: How to Grow Vegetables, Flowers and Herbs in an Arid Climate." ISBN 0-9651987-2-3. Good luck! |
