Germinating seeds for Arizona gardening can be exciting. There’s something magical about watching them come to life! If you choose the right seeds, you’ll be lucky enough to experience this.
Arizona is hot and dry with cool nights. Most crops, trees, and plants don’t like these conditions. You have to choose specific varieties for great results. When you sow your seeds and how you care for your plants will influence how well they grow.
In this article, I share the best time to start seeds in Arizona. You’ll also see which plants, trees, and crops grow well in this state.
Seeds For Arizona Gardening – When Should I Start My Seeds?
Starting seeds can be tricky. Each crop has its own germination and growing timeline, and the weather also plays a significant role.
Whether you start your seeds indoors or out will also make a difference. Typically, starting seeds indoors is best and helps you achieve a longer growing season.
Take Out Time to Also Read:
What Month Is Best To Plant Seeds?
You can plant crops that prefer warm weather during February and May. This includes bell peppers, eggplant, and tomatoes. Arizona has extremely hot and dry summers, so ensure the soil around your crops stays moist during these months.
Cold-weather crops like broccoli and spinach grow well when their seeds are started from September to December.
What Flower Seeds Can I Plant Now In Arizona?
There are many favorite plants that grow well in Arizona, like the African Daisy, Bee Balm, Cosmos, Evening Primrose, and more! Here’s a list of the ones I prefer:
Growing The Bells Of Ireland In Arizona
You should plant these seeds from September to November. They grow best from seed and bloom between March and May. It takes 180 days for these seeds to grow into mature plants, and the flowers can stand between 18 and 24 inches tall.
Growing The Aster – Seeds For Arizona Gardening
Aster seeds can be started between August and September. If you begin these indoors, you can transplant them from October to November. They bloom in March and April and attract bees and butterflies. Although they can be high-maintenance, Aster plants are worth it.
Growing Carnations In Arizona
You can start Carnation seeds from Augustus to November. The weather in Arizona is suitable for transplanting between October and January. Carnations typically take 150 days to bloom. They’re easy to grow and are considered an annual plant.
Complete Spring Flower Bulb Garden – 50 Bulbs for 50 Days of Continuous Blooms
Growing English Daisies In Arizona
English Daisies bloom best between January and May, so you’ll have to start your seeds in October. This plant prefers shade, and deadhanging them encourages beautiful flowers.
Growing Marigold – Seeds For Arizona Gardening
You can plant Marigold seeds from January to April and again from August to September if you’re living in Arizona. Transplant them outdoors when they’re about 6 to 8 weeks old. Marigolds make good companion plants and are easy to grow.
Growing Snapdragons In Arizona
Starting Snapdragon seeds between June and December is ideal. You can transplant them until February. They grow best during the cool season and produce more flowers when deadhanged.
Growing Zinnias In Arizona
Zinnias are best grown between March and June. If you want to start your plants indoors, sow the seeds from February to May. Zinnias flourish quickly in Arizona and attract butterflies.
Click Here to Get Info About:
When Should I Plant Tomato Seeds In Arizona?
If you live in the low-desert areas of Arizona, you should start your tomato seeds in February. March is ideal for the cooler regions in this state and elevated places. You should choose a tomato variety best suited for the temperatures you’re likely to experience. It should also reach maturity within 90 days since Arizona has a short growing season. Roma, Cherokee Purple, and Punta Banda are some suitable varieties.
Here are some tips for growing sumptuous tomatoes in Arizona:
- Protect your plants from cold night temperatures by keeping them indoors or using protective cloth.
- Ensure your plants soak up plenty of sun during the daytime.
- Use organic matter to enrich the soil your tomatoes are growing in and ensure it has good drainage. Bone meal and rock phosphorus are excellent soil amendments for tomatoes.
- Plant your tomatoes deep. This will help them develop a healthier root system.
- Water your plants early in the day or at dawn. Prevent wetting the plant leaves by watering them at the soil level. You should water your plants every day when it’s hot.
- Feed fertilizer once your plants set fruit.
- Grow your tomatoes vertically to prevent stem breakage and ensure their leaves stay off the ground. This reduces disease.
Crops And Trees That Grow Best In Arizona
Surviving the Arizona sun isn’t easy, but these crops and trees are hardy enough to stand tall in the heat:
Crops That Grow Well In Arizona
The best crops to plant in Arizona include Armenian cucumbers, asparagus beans, basil, corn, eggplant, okra, peppers, potatoes, pumpkin, tomatoes, and watermelon.
Most of these only need 6 – 8 hours of daily sunlight, and certain varieties can reach maturity within 3 months. These crops will appreciate a partially shaded area, but if you give them enough water on sunny days, they’ll be just fine.
Trees That Grow Well In Arizona
Arizona is best described as hot and dry. These 11 trees will thrive in this condition:
- Arizona Ash
- Arizona Cypress
- Alligator Juniper
- Black Locust
- Cat Claw Acacia
- Desert Ironwood
- Desert Willow
- Fremont Cottonwood
- Pinyon Pine
- Velvet Mesquite
- White Fir
Final Thoughts – Seeds For Arizona Gardening
Arizona might be pretty hot, but many plants and crops thrive in desert-like environments if given enough water and protected from the cold. You should plant your greens strategically to ensure they get the best sunlight exposure without scorching. A consistent watering schedule will also help keep your plants, trees, and crops healthy.
I hope you found this article helpful! If you have tips for growing in Arizona to add, pop them in the comments. You can also ask other questions you have, and I’ll get back to you.