Hey, fellow Tucson gardeners! If you’re anything like us, you’re itching to get your veggie and herb garden planted with the arrival of the warm spring weather. I know the anticipation is building, and you are yearning to get your hands back in the soil as you flip through seed catalogs and compile your Green Things shopping list. But with our variable climate here in Tucson, it can be tricky to know exactly when to sow those seeds and place those transplants in the ground. That’s where this planting guide comes in. We’re sharing this great information gleaned from the Tucson Organic Gardeners Planting Guide For Tucson and the Low Desert, which includes the optimum planting times for all your summer favorites like tomatoes, peppers, beans, and more here. This schedule will help you stay on track this year so that you may time your veggie garden to perfection.
WINTER Jan 1 – Feb 15
Start From Seed: Arugula, Broccoli, Bulb Onion, Cabbage, Chinese Cabbage, Cauliflower, Celery, Cilantro, Collards, Dill, Fennel, Kale, Lettuce, Mustard Greens, Parsley, Peppers (indoors), Potato, Tomatoes (indoors).
Transplant: Artichoke, Broccoli, Cabbage, Chinese Cabbage, Cauliflower, Celery, Cilantro, Collards, Dill, Fennel, Kale, Lettuce, Mustard, Parsley, Spinach, Swiss Chard.
SPRING March 1 – April 15
Start From Seed: Basil, Bush Bean, Corn (Sweet), Cucumber, Malabar Spinach, Melon, Pumpkin, Summer and Winter Squash, Watermelon
Transplant: Basil, Eggplant, Pepper, Tomato, Tomatillo
LATE SPRING April 15 – May 31
Start From Seed: Basil, Cantaloupe, Cowpea, Cucumber, Malabar Spinach, Melon, Okra, Sweet Potato Slips, Summer Squash, Watermelon
Transplant: Basil, Eggplant, Pepper
EARLY SUMMER June 1 – June 15
Start From Seed: Pole Beans, Cantaloupe, Melon, Tomatoes (Indoors Late June), Peppers (Indoors Late June), Sweet Potato Slips
MONSOON July 15 – August 31
Start From Seed: Bush Beans, Pole Beans, Corn (all types), Cucumber, Cantaloupe, I’itoi Onion (through Feb 1), Green Bunching Onion/Scallions (Aug 15 – Feb 1), Pumpkin, Summer and Winter Squash
Transplant: Tomato (July 15 – Aug 15)
EARLY FALL Sep 1 – Oct 15
Start From Seed: Arugula, Beet, Bok Choy, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Celery, Chicory, Chinese Cabbage, Cilantro, Collards, Escarole, Fava, Garbanzo, Greens, Kale, Kohlrabi, Leek, Lentils, Lettuce, Mache, Mustard, Onion, Parsley, Parsnip, Pea, Radish, Rape, Rutabaga, Turnip, Spinach, Swiss Chard
Transplant: Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Chinese Cabbage, Cauliflower, Celery, Cilantro, Dill, Fennel, Kale, Lettuce, Mustard, Parsley, Spinach, Swiss Chard
LATE FALL Oct 15 – Nov 15
Start From Seed: Beets, Carrots, Garlic, Greens, Lettuce, Mustard, Pea, Radish, Turnip
Transplant: Broccoli, Cabbage, Chinese Cabbage, Cauliflower, Celery, Cilantro, Collards, Dill, Fennel, Kale, Lettuce, Mustard Parsley, Spinach, Swiss Chard
Information taken from: Tucson Organic Gardeners Planting Guide For Tucson and the Low Desert
