Publication AZ 1005

Vegetable
Issued April, 1998 by:
Planting Calendar
for Maricopa County
Lucy Bradley, Agent
Urban Horticulture
Kai Umeda, Agent
Vegetable Crops

Maricopa County is a wonderful place to garden. Almost any type of

vegetable or fruit can be grown successfully provided on e chooses
appropriate varieties and plants at the right time. The climate, the
season, and potential pests all impact the selection of what to plant when .
Climate: High temperatures, both day and night for extended periods of
time, low humidity, and the high solar intensity can put tremendous stress
on plants. In addition, some plants may not survive freezing temperatures if
there is a hard winter frost. Select varieties that are tolerant of temperature
Cooperative Extension

extremes, plant at the appropriate times to avoid temperature extremes, or

4341 E. Broadway Road, Phoenix, AZ 85040-8807 (602) 470-8086 ext. 301

plan to protect the plants. It is possible to create micro-climates that differ

from the overall climate by providing shade, more humidity, artificial heat,
etc. and thus grow crops out of season .
Seasons: We have two optimal growing seasons: one in the spring, the
Maricopa County
http://ag.arizona.edu/maricopa/garden/

other in the fall. Both day length and temperature vary dramatically
between seasons (short days and cold temperatures in winter to long days
and temperatures over 118 degrees in summer). Since few annual plants are
suited to thrive in both circumstances, it is important to choose plants that
mature quickly to ensure a full life cycle within one season.
Pests: Choose varieties that have been bred to be resistant to diseases and
pests. This is indicated by initials following the plant variety name, e.g.“V”
means resistant t o Verticillium wilt disease, “N” indicates resistance to
Nematodes, “F” indicates resistance to Fusarium wilt disease, and “T”
indicates resistance to Tobacco
Mosaic virus. Choose a planting
date to avoid known pest
seasons, e.g., delay fall planting At a Glance:
until whitefly populations decline Choose varieties that:
with cooler temperatures; delay * are disease & pest resistant;
spring planting until soils * are adapted to climate & soils;
become warm and dry to reduce * provide desirable yield, taste,
fungal and bacterial disease texture, & color;
problems. * mature quickly; and
* are recommended by local
See Related Publications on soil gardeners
preparation, vegetable gardening, Use chart to choose planting date.
date
and harvesting.
 THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION
Maricopa County Garden Planting Calendar for Annual Fruits and Vegetables
Fruit • Vegetable Time to Harvest Jan. Feb. March April May June July August Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec.
(days unless
noted
1 15 1 15 1 15 1 15 1 15 1 15 1 15 1 15 1 15 1 15 1 15 1 15
otherwise)

Artichokes, Globe 1 year T T T T T

Artichokes, 6-8 months T T T T T T T T T

Jerusalem

Asparagus 1-2 years T T T T T T T

Beans, Lima 60-100 S S

Beans, Pinto 60-90 S

Beans, Snap 60-90 S S S S S S S

Beets 60-80 S S S S S S S S S S S S

Blackeyed Peas 90-120 S S S

Bok Choy 45 S S S S S S S S S S S S S

Broccoli T=90-100 TS T S S TS TS TS TS TS TS TS
S=120-130

Brussel Sprouts T=100-120 S TS TS TS TS T T

S=130-150

Cabbage T=80-90 TS T S S TS TS TS TS TS TS TS
S=120-130

Cabbage, Chinese T=45 TS T S S TS TS TS TS TS TS TS

S=70-80

Carrots 60-100 S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S

Cauliflower T=90-100 TS T S TS TS TS TS TS TS TS TS
S=120-130

Celery 120-150 S TS TS TS

Chard 60-90 TS TS T TS TS TS TS TS

C = Cloves
S = Seeds
T = Transplants (See note at bottom of chart)

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Fruit • Vegetable Time to Harvest Jan. Feb. March April May June July August Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec.
(days unless
noted
1 15 1 15 1 15 1 15 1 15 1 15 1 15 1 15 1 15 1 15 1 15 1 15
otherwise)

Collard Greens 80 S S S S S S S S S S S S S

Corn, Sweet 70-90 S S S S S S

Cucumbers 60-90 S S S S S S S S

Cucumbers, 55 S S S
Armenian Yard Long

Eggplant 70-120 T T

Endive 80-120 S S S S S

Garlic 5-7 months C C

Jicama 180-210 S S S S

Kale 60-90 S S S S S S S

Kohlrabi T=45-60 T T T S S S S TS TS TS T T
S=50-60

Lettuce, Head 50-100 TS TS T S S TS TS TS TS TS TS TS

Lettuce, Leaf 50-90 TS TS TS T S S TS TS TS TS TS TS TS

Leek 180-200 S S S S S S

Melons, Cantaloupe 80-120 S S S S S S S S S S S

Melons, Muskmelon 80-120 S S S S S S S S S S S

Melons, Watermelon 90-120 S S S

Mustard 35-45 S S S S S S S S S S S S S

Okra 70-100 S S S S S
Sets
Onions, Bulb Sets=4-5 S S S
months
S=7-8 months

Onions, Green 90-100 S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S

C = Cloves revised12/12/96
S = Seeds Lucy K. Bradley, Urban Horticulture Agent, Maricopa County
T = Transplants (See note at bottom of chart) Kai Umeda, Vegetable Crops Agent, Maricopa County

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 Fruit • Vegetable Time to Harvest Jan. Feb. March April May June July August Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec.
(days unless
noted
1 15 1 15 1 15 1 15 1 15 1 15 1 15 1 15 1 15 1 15 1 15 1 15
otherwise)

Parsnips 100-120 S S

Peanuts 5 months S S S

Peas Sept.=60-120 S S S S S S S S S S S
Nov.=120-150

Peppers 90-120 T T T T T

Potatoes 90-120 S S S S

Potatoes, Sweet 120-160 T T T T

Pumpkin 90-120 S S S S

Radishes 40-60 S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S

Rutabagas 100-120 S S S S S

Spinach 40-90 S S S S S S S S S S S

Squash, Summer 60-90 S S S S S

Squash, Winter 90-120 S S S

Sunflower 90-110 S S S S S S S S S S S S

Tomatoes 50-120 T T T T T

Turnips 90-120 S S S S S S S S S S S S

NOTE: Planting dates are suggested guidelines. These dates should provide the highest probability of success, however, weather conditions vary from year to year and planting dates should be adjusted accordingly.
* Many vegetable crops can be direct-seeded into the soil. However, if weather extremes or the presence of pests, cause the garden conditions to be temporarily unsuitable, seeds can be started in pots indoors. This is
particularly useful with crops that take longer to mature than our short growing seasons allow (for example, it tomatoes are started from seed outside after the soil warms up in the spring, then they may just begin
flowering when our harsh summer heat sets in killing the pollen and preventing fruit set.)
If growing your own transplants, start them six to eight weeks prior to transplanting into the garden. Protect tender transplants from severe temperature conditions. “Harden them off” prior to transplanting by gradually
introducing them to the new environment. Just prior to transplanting take them outside for increasing periods each day until they are acclimatized to the new temperature and light conditions.

URL: http://ag.arizona.edu/extension/pubs/garden/az1005.pdf

Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, James A. Christenson, Director, Cooperative Extension, College of Agriculture, The University of Arizona.
The University of Arizona College of Agriculture is an Equal Opportunity employer authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function without regard to sex, race, religion, color, national origin, age, Vietnam Era
Veteran's status, or disability.

C = Cloves revised12/12/96
S = Seeds Lucy K. Bradley, Urban Horticulture Agent, Maricopa County
T = Transplants (See note at bottom of chart) Kai Umeda, Vegetable Crops Agent, Maricopa County

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