Planting calendar for Mesa, Arizona

Dates from 30 years of records at the Tempe Asu weather station, 5.7 miles from Mesa, worked out crop by crop with the same method as the Year Round Garden app.

Mesa at a glance

Weather station: Tempe Asu · 5.7 mi
USDA zone: 9b
Last spring frost: typically Feb 13; 1 year in 10 after Mar 9
First fall frost: typically Dec 5; 1 year in 10 before Nov 18
Frost-free season: about 295 days
Hottest month: July: highs 106°F, nights 76°F
Coldest month: December: highs 69°F, nights 38°F
Rain: 9 in. a year, most in January, February and August

What shapes the seasons here

The last spring frost in Mesa typically comes around Feb 13, but 1 year in 10 it comes after Mar 9. The first fall frost typically arrives around Dec 5. That leaves about 295 frost-free days for tender crops like tomatoes, peppers and squash.

Summer highs average 106°F in July. Lettuce, spinach and cilantro bolt in heat like this, so they're best planted Oct 23–Dec 9, Dec 23–Jan 30.

Mesa gets about 9 inches of rain a year, most of it in January, February and August. Plan on regular watering: most months get less than 1 inch.

143 of the 174 crops in the app grow here; 31 need a different climate (listed near the bottom).

When to plant the most popular crops

JFMAMJJASOND

Tomato (cherry & grape)

Pepper (hot / chili)

Eggplant

Summer squash & zucchini

Watermelon

Bean (bush snap)

Sweet corn

Okra

Sweet potato

Potato

Pea (snap & snow)

Lettuce (leaf & mesclun)

Spinach

Kale

Collard greens

Broccoli

Cabbage

Carrot

Radish

Onion (bulbing)

Garlic

Basil

Cilantro

Strawberry

Best Can plant Start indoors

Get these dates as reminders for your exact yard

The free Year Round Garden app uses the weather station nearest your own address, not just the city. It reminds you when to start seeds, plant and harvest, sends frost and storm alerts from the National Weather Service, and keeps a garden journal. No account needed, in English and Spanish.

Download on the App Store Free for up to 5 plants on iPhone and Android.

What to plant in Mesa, month by month

January44

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Arugula, Asparagus, Beet, Broccoli, Broccoli raab (rapini), Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Chickpea / garbanzo, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Daikon radish, Green onion / scallion, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Lettuce (romaine & head), Mustard greens, Napa / Chinese cabbage, Onion (bulbing), Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Potato, Radicchio, Radish, Rhubarb, Spinach, Swiss chard, Turnip, Watercress

Herbs: Caraway, Chamomile, Chervil, Cilantro, Parsley, Sorrel (French / garden)

Fruit: Fig, Raspberry, Strawberry

Flowers: Calendula, Pansy / viola, Stock, Sweet alyssum

Can also plant

Brussels sprouts, Cardoon, Leek, Mache (corn salad), Parsnip, Rutabaga, Salsify, Shallot, Blackberry, Grape (bunch), Bachelor's button (cornflower), California poppy, Coreopsis (tickseed), Larkspur, Snapdragon, Sweet pea (flower)

Start seeds indoors

Tomato (early / short-season), Anise hyssop, Bee balm (bergamot), Chives, Garlic chives, Lemon balm, Marjoram, Oregano, Winter savory, Milkweed (native), Strawflower

February41

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Artichoke, Asparagus, Bok choy / pak choi, Chickpea / garbanzo, Fennel (bulb), Garden cress, Green onion / scallion, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Potato, Radish, Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke), Swiss chard, Watercress

Herbs: Anise hyssop, Bay laurel, Bee balm (bergamot), Borage, Catnip, Chives, Fenugreek (methi), Feverfew, Garlic chives, Lavender, Lemon balm, Lovage, Mint, Oregano, Rosemary, Sage, Sorrel (French / garden), Tarragon (French), Thyme, Winter savory

Fruit: Blackberry, Fig, Grape (bunch), Strawberry

Flowers: Black-eyed Susan, Milkweed (native), Purple coneflower (echinacea), Statice

Can also plant

Arugula, Beet, Broccoli, Broccoli raab (rapini), Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Daikon radish, Kale, Kohlrabi, Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Lettuce (romaine & head), Mustard greens, Napa / Chinese cabbage, Onion (bulbing), Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Rhubarb, Shallot, Spinach, Turnip, Caraway, Chamomile, Chervil, Cilantro, Dill, Parsley, Raspberry, Bachelor's button (cornflower), Calendula, California poppy, Coreopsis (tickseed), Pansy / viola, Stock, Sweet alyssum

Start seeds indoors

Milkweed (native)

March18

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Garden cress, Tomato (early / short-season)

Herbs: Bay laurel, Chives, Fenugreek (methi), Garlic chives, Lavender, Lemon verbena, Marjoram, Oregano, Rosemary, Summer savory, Tarragon (French)

Flowers: Black-eyed Susan, Milkweed (native), Nasturtium, Purple coneflower (echinacea), Strawflower

Can also plant

Arugula, Beet, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Green onion / scallion, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Mustard greens, Radish, Swiss chard, Turnip, Watercress, Anise hyssop, Bee balm (bergamot), Borage, Catnip, Dill, Lemon balm, Mint, Sage, Sorrel (French / garden), Thyme, Winter savory, Blackberry, Fig, Calendula, Statice, Sweet alyssum

Start seeds indoors

Malabar spinach, Basil, Cucamelon / mouse melon

April13

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Amaranth greens / callaloo, Armenian cucumber, New Zealand spinach, Purslane, Sweet corn

Herbs: Basil, Cuban oregano, Epazote, Lemon verbena, Papalo, Shiso (perilla), Vietnamese coriander (rau ram)

Fruit: Cucamelon / mouse melon

Can also plant

Garden cress, Annual salvia, Black-eyed Susan, Cleome (spider flower), Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Milkweed (native), Purple coneflower (echinacea), Sunflower, Zinnia

Start seeds indoors

Roselle, Sweet potato, Celosia

May13

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Bottle gourd / cucuzza, Luffa gourd, Malabar spinach, Moringa, Okinawa spinach, Okra, Pigeon pea, Roselle, Seminole pumpkin / calabaza, Southern pea / cowpea, Winged bean, Yardlong bean

Herbs: Cuban oregano

Can also plant

Amaranth greens / callaloo, Armenian cucumber, Purslane, Sweet potato, Basil, Epazote, Papalo, Shiso (perilla), Vietnamese coriander (rau ram), Annual salvia, Cleome (spider flower), Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Zinnia

Start seeds indoors

Sweet potato, Annual salvia, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Pentas (Egyptian star cluster)

June7

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Peanut, Pigeon pea, Sweet potato, Winter melon / wax gourd

Flowers: Celosia, Cleome (spider flower), Globe amaranth (gomphrena)

Can also plant

Amaranth greens / callaloo, Armenian cucumber, Bottle gourd / cucuzza, Luffa gourd, Malabar spinach, Moringa, Okinawa spinach, Okra, Purslane, Seminole pumpkin / calabaza, Southern pea / cowpea, Winged bean, Yardlong bean, Basil, Epazote, Papalo, Shiso (perilla), Black-eyed Susan, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Sunflower, Zinnia

Start seeds indoors

Eggplant, Pepper (hot / chili), Annual salvia, Celosia, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster)

July9

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Seminole pumpkin / calabaza, Sweet potato, Winter melon / wax gourd

Fruit: Watermelon

Flowers: Cleome (spider flower), Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Sunflower, Zinnia

Can also plant

Amaranth greens / callaloo, Armenian cucumber, Bottle gourd / cucuzza, Luffa gourd, Okra, Purslane, Southern pea / cowpea, Winged bean, Yardlong bean, Basil, Epazote, Papalo, Shiso (perilla), Annual salvia, Black-eyed Susan, Celosia, Cosmos, Marigold

Start seeds indoors

Celeriac (celery root), Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Basil, Annual salvia, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold

August21

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Armenian cucumber, Eggplant, New Zealand spinach, Okra, Pepper (hot / chili), Southern pea / cowpea, Sweet corn, Tomato (heat-set varieties), Yardlong bean

Herbs: Basil

Fruit: Watermelon

Flowers: Annual salvia, Black-eyed Susan, Celosia, Cleome (spider flower), Cosmos, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Sunflower, Zinnia

Can also plant

Amaranth greens / callaloo, Bottle gourd / cucuzza, Purslane, Epazote, Papalo, Shiso (perilla)

Start seeds indoors

Cardoon, Celeriac (celery root), Leek, Onion (bulbing), Parsley, Pansy / viola, Snapdragon, Stock

September15

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Amaranth greens / callaloo, Bean (bush snap), Bitter melon, New Zealand spinach, Purslane, Summer squash & zucchini, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season)

Herbs: Basil, Dill, Epazote

Flowers: Annual salvia, Marigold, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Strawflower

Can also plant

Celeriac (celery root), Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Onion (bulbing), Shallot, Swiss chard, Borage, Parsley, Coreopsis (tickseed)

Start seeds indoors

Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Cardoon, Leek, Lettuce (romaine & head), Onion (bulbing), Parsley, Pansy / viola, Snapdragon, Stock

October33

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Arugula, Beet, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Cardoon, Carrot, Celeriac (celery root), Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Elephant garlic, Garlic, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Leek, Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Napa / Chinese cabbage, Onion (bulbing), Parsnip, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Salsify, Shallot, Swiss chard, Turnip

Herbs: Caraway, Chamomile, Cilantro, Parsley

Flowers: Calendula, Coreopsis (tickseed), Stock, Sweet alyssum

Can also plant

Broccoli, Broccoli raab (rapini), Daikon radish, Fava bean, Garden cress, Lettuce (romaine & head), Mache (corn salad), Mustard greens, Radish, Rutabaga, Spinach, Chervil, Fenugreek (methi), Bachelor's button (cornflower), California poppy, Larkspur, Pansy / viola, Snapdragon, Sweet pea (flower)

Start seeds indoors

Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Leek, Lettuce (romaine & head), Onion (bulbing), Parsley, Pansy / viola, Snapdragon, Stock

November50

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Arugula, Beet, Broccoli, Broccoli raab (rapini), Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Cardoon, Carrot, Celeriac (celery root), Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Daikon radish, Elephant garlic, Fava bean, Garlic, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Leek, Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Lettuce (romaine & head), Mache (corn salad), Mustard greens, Napa / Chinese cabbage, Onion (bulbing), Parsnip, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Radish, Rutabaga, Salsify, Shallot, Spinach, Swiss chard, Turnip

Herbs: Caraway, Chamomile, Chervil, Cilantro, Parsley

Flowers: Bachelor's button (cornflower), Calendula, California poppy, Coreopsis (tickseed), Larkspur, Pansy / viola, Snapdragon, Stock, Sweet alyssum, Sweet pea (flower)

Start seeds indoors

Broccoli, Cabbage, Lettuce (romaine & head), Parsley, Stock

December44

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Arugula, Beet, Broccoli, Broccoli raab (rapini), Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Carrot, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Daikon radish, Fava bean, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Leek, Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Lettuce (romaine & head), Mache (corn salad), Mustard greens, Onion (bulbing), Parsnip, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Radish, Rutabaga, Salsify, Shallot, Spinach, Turnip

Herbs: Caraway, Chamomile, Chervil, Cilantro, Parsley

Flowers: Bachelor's button (cornflower), Calendula, California poppy, Coreopsis (tickseed), Larkspur, Pansy / viola, Snapdragon, Stock, Sweet alyssum, Sweet pea (flower)

Can also plant

Cardoon, Napa / Chinese cabbage, Swiss chard

Start seeds indoors

Artichoke, Cauliflower, Lettuce (romaine & head), Catnip, Feverfew, Lavender, Lovage, Rosemary, Sage, Thyme, Purple coneflower (echinacea), Statice

Every crop that grows in Mesa

143 of 174 crops in the app fit this climate. Dates are for planting outdoors; “Start indoors” is for seeds you grow into transplants.

Vegetables

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Amaranth greens / callaloo	Apr 21–May 5, Sep 17–26	May 6–Sep 16	—	Sow seeds
Armenian cucumber	Apr 1–15, Aug 16–Sep 5	Apr 16–Aug 15	—	Sow seeds
Artichoke	Jan 30–Feb 13	—	Nov 28–Dec 12	Set out plants
Arugula	Oct 23–Dec 8, Dec 25–Feb 6	Feb 7–Mar 26, Sep 26–Oct 22, Dec 9–24	—	Sow seeds
Asparagus	Jan 16–Feb 8	Feb 9–Mar 4	—	Set out plants
Bean (bush snap)	Sep 8–20	—	—	Sow seeds
Beet	Oct 20–Dec 9, Dec 23–Jan 25	Jan 26–Mar 11, Sep 23–Oct 19, Dec 10–22	—	Sow seeds
Bitter melon	Aug 31–Sep 8	—	—	Sow seeds
Bok choy / pak choi	Jan 30–Feb 13	Feb 14–27	—	Sow seeds
Bottle gourd / cucuzza	May 10–24	May 25–Aug 18	—	Sow seeds
Broccoli	Oct 27–Jan 7	Jan 8–Feb 23, Oct 1–26	Sep 15–Nov 26	Set out plants
Broccoli raab (rapini)	Oct 28–Dec 12, Dec 18–Jan 20	Jan 21–Mar 9, Oct 1–27, Dec 13–17	—	Sow seeds
Brussels sprouts	Oct 22–Dec 18	Oct 1–21, Dec 19–Jan 24	Sep 10–Nov 6	Set out plants
Cabbage	Oct 24–Jan 7	Jan 8–Feb 24, Sep 26–Oct 23	Sep 12–Nov 26	Set out plants
Cardoon	Oct 5–Nov 30	Sep 23–Oct 4, Dec 1–Jan 14	Aug 3–Sep 28	Set out plants
Carrot	Oct 20–Dec 10, Dec 20–Jan 18	Jan 19–Mar 4, Sep 23–Oct 19, Dec 11–19	—	Sow seeds
Cauliflower	Jan 23–Feb 6	Feb 7–28	Dec 12–26	Set out plants
Celeriac (celery root)	Oct 8–Nov 10	Jan 25–Feb 6, Sep 15–Oct 7, Nov 11–26	Jul 23–Aug 25	Set out plants
Chickpea / garbanzo	Jan 25–Feb 8	—	—	Sow seeds
Chinese broccoli (gai lan)	Oct 18–Dec 9, Dec 24–Jan 25	Jan 26–Mar 10, Sep 20–Oct 17, Dec 10–23	—	Sow seeds
Collard greens	Oct 19–Jan 16	Jan 17–Mar 12, Sep 15–Oct 18	—	Sow seeds
Daikon radish	Oct 31–Jan 7	Jan 8–Feb 21, Oct 7–30	—	Sow seeds
Eggplant	Aug 12–26	—	Jun 10–24	Set out plants
Elephant garlic	Oct 15–Dec 1	—	—	Sow seeds
Fava bean	Nov 2–Dec 10	Oct 20–Nov 1, Dec 11–Jan 5	—	Sow seeds
Fennel (bulb)	Jan 30–Feb 12	—	—	Sow seeds
Garden cress	Jan 30–Mar 9	Mar 10–Apr 10, Oct 1–Nov 1	—	Sow seeds
Garlic	Oct 15–Dec 1	—	—	Sow seeds
Green onion / scallion	Jan 16–Feb 13	Feb 14–Mar 13	—	Sow seeds
Kale	Oct 25–Jan 17	Jan 18–Mar 11, Sep 23–Oct 24	—	Sow seeds
Kohlrabi	Oct 23–Dec 9, Dec 22–Jan 29	Jan 30–Mar 17, Sep 26–Oct 22, Dec 10–21	—	Sow seeds
Komatsuna (mustard spinach)	Oct 18–Dec 7, Dec 28–Feb 7	Feb 8–Mar 24, Sep 20–Oct 17, Dec 8–27	—	Sow seeds
Leek	Oct 17–Dec 20	Sep 23–Oct 16, Dec 21–Jan 29	Aug 15–Oct 18	Set out plants
Lettuce (leaf & mesclun)	Oct 23–Dec 9, Dec 23–Jan 30	Jan 31–Mar 18, Sep 26–Oct 22, Dec 10–22	—	Sow seeds
Lettuce (romaine & head)	Oct 28–Jan 11	Jan 12–Feb 28, Oct 1–27	Sep 23–Dec 7	Set out plants
Luffa gourd	May 10–24	May 25–Jul 24	—	Sow seeds
Mache (corn salad)	Nov 6–Jan 1	Jan 2–Feb 7, Oct 17–Nov 5	—	Sow seeds
Malabar spinach	May 10–24	May 25–Jul 5	Mar 22–Apr 5	Set out plants
Moringa	May 10–24	May 25–Jul 5	—	Sow seeds
Mustard greens	Oct 28–Dec 11, Dec 19–Jan 25	Jan 26–Mar 15, Oct 1–27, Dec 12–18	—	Sow seeds
Napa / Chinese cabbage	Jan 6–Feb 2, Oct 14–Dec 4	Feb 3–Mar 4, Sep 26–Oct 13, Dec 5–Jan 5	—	Sow seeds
New Zealand spinach	Apr 1–14, Aug 23–Sep 12	Aug 12–22	—	Sow seeds
Okinawa spinach	May 10–24	May 25–Jul 5	—	Set out plants
Okra	May 10–24, Aug 21–29	May 25–Aug 20	—	Sow seeds
Onion (bulbing)	Oct 13–Jan 8	Jan 9–Mar 1, Sep 8–Oct 12	Jul 28–Oct 23	Set out plants
Parsnip	Oct 17–Dec 18	Sep 23–Oct 16, Dec 19–Jan 26	—	Sow seeds
Pea (shelling / English)	Oct 23–Dec 9, Dec 24–Jan 20	Jan 21–Feb 28, Oct 1–22, Dec 10–23	—	Sow seeds
Pea (snap & snow)	Oct 23–Dec 9, Dec 23–Jan 18	Jan 19–Feb 26, Oct 1–22, Dec 10–22	—	Sow seeds
Peanut	May 29–Jun 12	Jun 13–30	—	Sow seeds
Pepper (hot / chili)	Aug 12–19	—	Jun 10–17	Set out plants
Pigeon pea	May 23–Jun 11	May 10–22, Jun 12–17	—	Sow seeds
Potato	Jan 19–Feb 9	Jan 16–18, Feb 10–27	—	Sow seeds
Purslane	Apr 21–May 5, Aug 29–Sep 17	May 6–Aug 28	—	Sow seeds
Radicchio	Jan 16–Feb 3	—	—	Sow seeds
Radish	Oct 27–Dec 7, Dec 28–Feb 19	Feb 20–Apr 8, Sep 29–Oct 26, Dec 8–27	—	Sow seeds
Rhubarb	Jan 16–30	Jan 31–Feb 13	—	Set out plants
Roselle	May 10–26	—	Apr 5–21	Set out plants
Rutabaga	Oct 28–Dec 14	Oct 12–27, Dec 15–Jan 15	—	Sow seeds
Salsify	Oct 14–Dec 7	Sep 23–Oct 13, Dec 8–Jan 10	—	Sow seeds
Seminole pumpkin / calabaza	May 10–24, Jul 2–22	May 25–Jul 1	—	Sow seeds
Shallot	Oct 16–Jan 3	Jan 4–Feb 21, Sep 15–Oct 15	—	Sow seeds
Southern pea / cowpea	May 10–24, Aug 3–19	May 25–Aug 2	—	Sow seeds
Spinach	Nov 2–Jan 14	Jan 15–Mar 3, Oct 7–Nov 1	—	Sow seeds
Summer squash & zucchini	Sep 8–15	—	—	Sow seeds
Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke)	Feb 6–27	Jan 23–Feb 5, Feb 28–Mar 6	—	Sow seeds
Sweet corn	Apr 1–8, Aug 12–28	—	—	Sow seeds
Sweet potato	Jun 5–Jul 13	May 10–Jun 4, Jul 14–25	Apr 17–May 25	Set out plants
Swiss chard	Jan 4–Feb 17, Oct 8–Dec 4	Feb 18–Mar 31, Sep 8–Oct 7, Dec 5–Jan 3	—	Sow seeds
Tomato (cherry & grape)	Aug 31–Sep 12	—	Jul 13–25	Set out plants
Tomato (early / short-season)	Mar 1–8, Aug 31–Sep 17	Mar 9–Apr 6	Jan 11–18, Jul 13–30	Set out plants
Tomato (heat-set varieties)	Aug 19–29	—	Jul 1–11	Set out plants
Turnip	Oct 23–Dec 9, Dec 22–Jan 29	Jan 30–Mar 17, Sep 26–Oct 22, Dec 10–21	—	Sow seeds
Watercress	Jan 23–Feb 20	Feb 21–Mar 20	—	Sow seeds
Winged bean	May 10–24	May 25–Jul 24	—	Sow seeds
Winter melon / wax gourd	Jun 12–26, Jul 4–25	Jun 27–Jul 3	—	Sow seeds
Yardlong bean	May 10–24, Aug 8–18	May 25–Aug 7	—	Sow seeds

Herbs

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Anise hyssop	Feb 13–Mar 2	Mar 3–19	Dec 30–Jan 16	Set out plants
Basil	Apr 21–28, Aug 21–Sep 10	Apr 29–Aug 20	Mar 17–24, Jul 17–Aug 6	Set out plants
Bay laurel	Feb 20–Mar 16	Mar 17–Apr 9	—	Set out plants
Bee balm (bergamot)	Feb 13–26	Feb 27–Mar 12	Dec 26–Jan 8	Set out plants
Borage	Feb 6–Mar 6	Mar 7–24, Sep 15–27	—	Sow seeds
Caraway	Oct 20–Dec 12, Dec 17–Jan 7	Jan 8–Feb 21, Sep 23–Oct 19, Dec 13–16	—	Sow seeds
Catnip	Jan 30–Feb 20	Feb 21–Mar 13	Dec 12–Jan 2	Set out plants
Chamomile	Oct 20–Dec 10, Dec 21–Jan 19	Jan 20–Mar 5, Sep 23–Oct 19, Dec 11–20	—	Sow seeds
Chervil	Oct 28–Dec 9, Dec 21–Jan 18	Jan 19–Feb 27, Oct 7–27, Dec 10–20	—	Sow seeds
Chives	Feb 13–Mar 10	—	Dec 26–Jan 20	Set out plants
Cilantro	Oct 23–Dec 8, Dec 25–Jan 23	Jan 24–Mar 3, Oct 1–22, Dec 9–24	—	Sow seeds
Cuban oregano	Apr 21–May 19	—	—	Set out plants
Dill	Jan 30–Feb 6, Sep 23–Oct 2	Feb 7–Mar 19	—	Sow seeds
Epazote	Apr 1–15, Sep 4–25	Apr 16–Sep 3	—	Sow seeds
Fenugreek (methi)	Feb 13–Mar 10	Mar 11–30, Sep 23–Oct 14	—	Sow seeds
Feverfew	Feb 6–19	Feb 20–Mar 4	Dec 19–Jan 1	Set out plants
Garlic chives	Feb 13–Mar 8	Mar 9–31	Dec 26–Jan 18	Set out plants
Lavender	Feb 20–Mar 12	—	Dec 5–25	Set out plants
Lemon balm	Jan 30–Feb 20	Feb 21–Mar 13	Dec 26–Jan 16	Set out plants
Lemon verbena	Mar 15–Apr 8	Mar 1–14, Apr 9–19	—	Set out plants
Lovage	Jan 30–Feb 17	—	Dec 12–30	Set out plants
Marjoram	Mar 1–19	—	Jan 11–29	Set out plants
Mint	Jan 30–Feb 20	Feb 21–Mar 13	—	Set out plants
Oregano	Feb 13–Mar 7	Mar 8–29	Dec 26–Jan 17	Set out plants
Papalo	Apr 21–May 5	May 6–Aug 31	—	Sow seeds
Parsley	Oct 18–Jan 11	Jan 12–Mar 4, Sep 15–Oct 17	Aug 16–Nov 9	Set out plants
Rosemary	Feb 20–Mar 16	Mar 17–Apr 9	Dec 5–29	Set out plants
Sage	Feb 6–22	Feb 23–Mar 10	Dec 19–Jan 4	Set out plants
Shiso (perilla)	Apr 1–8	Apr 9–Sep 7	Feb 25–Mar 4	Set out plants
Sorrel (French / garden)	Jan 23–Feb 18	Feb 19–Mar 16	—	Sow seeds
Summer savory	Mar 1–15	Mar 16–24	—	Sow seeds
Tarragon (French)	Feb 13–Mar 9	—	—	Set out plants
Thyme	Feb 13–26	Feb 27–Mar 12	Dec 19–Jan 1	Set out plants
Vietnamese coriander (rau ram)	Apr 10–30	Apr 1–9, May 1–14	—	Set out plants
Winter savory	Feb 13–Mar 4	Mar 5–24	Dec 26–Jan 14	Set out plants

Fruit

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Blackberry	Jan 26–Feb 26	Jan 9–25, Feb 27–Mar 13	—	Set out plants
Cucamelon / mouse melon	Apr 1–11	—	Feb 25–Mar 7	Set out plants
Fig	Jan 23–Feb 20	Feb 21–Apr 3	—	Set out plants
Grape (bunch)	Feb 1–22	Jan 16–31, Feb 23–27	—	Set out plants
Raspberry	Jan 16–Feb 1	Feb 2–17	—	Set out plants
Strawberry	Jan 16–Feb 11	Feb 12–Mar 9	—	Set out plants
Watermelon	Jul 1–15, Jul 24–Aug 14	Jul 16–23	—	Sow seeds

Flowers

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Annual salvia	Jul 27–Sep 20	Apr 1–May 20, Jul 2–26, Sep 21–25	May 18–Jul 12	Set out plants
Bachelor's button (cornflower)	Oct 27–Jan 5	Jan 6–Feb 19, Oct 1–26	—	Sow seeds
Black-eyed Susan	Feb 15–Mar 31, Aug 8–28	Feb 13–14, Apr 1–13, Jun 19–Aug 7	—	Sow seeds
Calendula	Oct 20–Dec 9, Dec 23–Jan 27	Jan 28–Mar 14, Sep 23–Oct 19, Dec 10–22	—	Sow seeds
California poppy	Oct 27–Jan 5	Jan 6–Feb 19, Oct 1–26	—	Sow seeds
Celosia	Jun 7–14, Jul 29–Aug 11	Jun 15–Jul 28	Apr 19–26, Jun 10–23	Set out plants
Cleome (spider flower)	Jun 19–Aug 26	Apr 1–Jun 18	—	Sow seeds
Coreopsis (tickseed)	Oct 17–Dec 12, Dec 18–Jan 5	Jan 6–Feb 17, Sep 20–Oct 16, Dec 13–17	—	Sow seeds
Cosmos	Aug 1–27	Jul 1–31, Aug 28–Sep 1	—	Sow seeds
Globe amaranth (gomphrena)	Jun 22–Aug 25	Apr 21–Jun 21, Aug 26–Sep 1	May 4–Jul 7	Set out plants
Larkspur	Oct 26–Dec 19	Oct 7–25, Dec 20–Jan 24	—	Sow seeds
Marigold	Aug 9–Sep 20	Apr 1–May 4, Jul 14–Aug 8	Jun 21–Aug 2	Set out plants
Milkweed (native)	Feb 21–Mar 21	Feb 13–20, Mar 22–Apr 10	Jan 17–Feb 14	Set out plants
Nasturtium	Mar 1–15	—	—	Sow seeds
Pansy / viola	Nov 4–Jan 10	Jan 11–Feb 24, Oct 12–Nov 3	Aug 19–Oct 25	Set out plants
Pentas (Egyptian star cluster)	Jul 16–Sep 7	May 10–Jul 15, Sep 8–13	May 14–Jul 6	Set out plants
Purple coneflower (echinacea)	Feb 13–Mar 13	Mar 14–Apr 10	Nov 28–Dec 26	Set out plants
Snapdragon	Oct 26–Dec 19	Oct 7–25, Dec 20–Jan 23	Aug 24–Oct 17	Set out plants
Statice	Feb 13–27	Feb 28–Mar 16	Dec 12–26	Set out plants
Stock	Oct 24–Dec 6, Dec 30–Jan 26	Jan 27–Feb 27, Oct 7–23, Dec 7–29	Aug 22–Oct 4, Oct 28–Nov 24	Set out plants
Strawflower	Mar 1–15, Sep 15–24	Mar 16–22	Jan 11–25, Jul 28–Aug 6	Set out plants
Sunflower	Jun 30–Aug 21	Apr 1–30, Jun 8–29	—	Sow seeds
Sweet alyssum	Oct 20–Dec 8, Dec 24–Jan 29	Jan 30–Mar 15, Sep 23–Oct 19, Dec 9–23	—	Sow seeds
Sweet pea (flower)	Oct 27–Dec 24	Oct 7–26, Dec 25–Jan 31	—	Sow seeds
Zinnia	Jul 9–Aug 26	Apr 21–May 10, Jun 19–Jul 8, Aug 27–Sep 4	—	Sow seeds

Crops that struggle in Mesa

These need a climate Mesa doesn't have. Pots, shade cloth or a greenhouse can stretch the rules.

Banana: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 45°F; the coldest month here averages 38°F.
Bean (dry / shelling): The frost-free season (about 295 days) is shorter than the 90 days it needs.
Bean (lima): The frost-free season (about 295 days) is shorter than the 78 days it needs.
Bean (pole): The frost-free season (about 295 days) is shorter than the 65 days it needs.
Blueberry: It needs acid soil, and dry-climate soil is usually alkaline. Grow it in a large pot of acid potting mix.
Cantaloupe & melons: The frost-free season (about 295 days) is shorter than the 82 days it needs.
Cassava (yuca): Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 40°F; the coldest month here averages 38°F.
Celery: The frost-free season (about 295 days) is shorter than the 105 days it needs.
Chaya (tree spinach): Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 40°F; the coldest month here averages 38°F.
Cucumber (pickling): The frost-free season (about 295 days) is shorter than the 55 days it needs.
Cucumber (slicing): The frost-free season (about 295 days) is shorter than the 58 days it needs.
Culantro: The frost-free season (about 295 days) is shorter than the 70 days it needs.
Edamame: The frost-free season (about 295 days) is shorter than the 82 days it needs.
Endive & escarole: The frost-free season (about 295 days) is shorter than the 85 days it needs.
Ginger: The frost-free season (about 295 days) is shorter than the 270 days it needs.
Ground cherry: The frost-free season (about 295 days) is shorter than the 70 days it needs.
Jicama: The frost-free season (about 295 days) is shorter than the 180 days it needs.
Lemongrass: The frost-free season (about 295 days) is shorter than the 88 days it needs.
Muscadine grape: It needs acid soil, and dry-climate soil is usually alkaline. Grow it in a large pot of acid potting mix.
Papaya: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 48°F; the coldest month here averages 38°F.
Passion fruit: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 44°F; the coldest month here averages 38°F.
Pepper (sweet / bell): The frost-free season (about 295 days) is shorter than the 70 days it needs.
Pineapple: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 45°F; the coldest month here averages 38°F.
Popcorn: The frost-free season (about 295 days) is shorter than the 102 days it needs.
Pumpkin: The frost-free season (about 295 days) is shorter than the 105 days it needs.
Stevia: The frost-free season (about 295 days) is shorter than the 100 days it needs.
Taro (dasheen): The frost-free season (about 295 days) is shorter than the 225 days it needs.
Tomatillo: The frost-free season (about 295 days) is shorter than the 80 days it needs.
Tomato (paste / determinate): The frost-free season (about 295 days) is shorter than the 75 days it needs.
Tomato (slicing): The frost-free season (about 295 days) is shorter than the 78 days it needs.
Winter squash: The frost-free season (about 295 days) is shorter than the 95 days it needs.

Nearby planting calendars

Phoenix, AZ 15 mi · frost only briefly in winter
Tucson, AZ 98 mi · frost only briefly in winter
Flagstaff, AZ 123 mi · last frost around Jun 4
Yuma, AZ 169 mi · frost only briefly in winter
Las Vegas, NV 267 mi · frost only briefly in winter
All Arizona cities

How these dates are worked out

Each crop has temperature limits and timing from university extension guides: how cold a night it can take, how much heat it can stand, how long it takes to mature, and how far before or after the last frost it goes in. Those are checked day by day against the Tempe Asu station's NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals (average highs, lows, rain and frost dates). Dates are estimates for a typical year; a sheltered yard, a slope or a cold pocket can shift them by a week or two.

Weather: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals. Crop timing: university extension guides (sources listed for each crop in the app). City locations: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0).