What to Plant in February in Arizona

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February marks the start of a brand new rising season within the low desert, which can be one among my favourite instances within the backyard. Our spring season is brief, so timing is every little thing. On this article, I’ll share what you may plant in Arizona this month, from cool-season greens, herbs, and flowers that thrive now, to the warm-season crops you’ll plant after the final frost date. With days getting longer, the backyard is beginning to get up, and there’s a lot potential on this fast however productive season. Let’s benefit from it earlier than the desert warmth arrives.

I’ve a weblog publish like this for every month of the yr. You are able to do this, I’ll assist! For these within the low desert areas (under 3,500 toes), reminiscent of Phoenix or Tucson, this information will assist you to confidently backyard through the cooler months.

Tip: Should you’re in search of the backyard duties to do that month, see the Arizona Backyard in February weblog publish and printable guidelines.

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February YouTube Movies

Backyard Harvests in February

When you prep for spring in your low desert Arizona backyard, take pleasure in this month’s harvests of cool-season greens, herbs, fruit, and flowers.

Peas: Choose them continuously to encourage regular manufacturing. (Pea rising information)

Broccoli: Harvest when heads are tight, and buds are closed—don’t wait till you see yellow flowers. Facet shoots usually seem after the principle head is lower. Don’t pull it out by the roots while you’re completed with the plant. As an alternative, lower it off on the base to keep away from disturbing the soil; the roots will break down and add natural matter. (Broccoli rising information)

Radishes are quick-growing and able to harvest earlier than the climate will get too scorching. (Radish rising information)

What to do earlier than you plant this February in Arizona

First Issues First: Discover Your Final Frost Date

Earlier than you set any seeds within the floor, you will need to know your common final frost date. This date varies by location, so head over to this Frost Date Calculator and enter your zip code for a fast lookup. My final frost date is February 12, and I exploit that as a tenet for deciding when to plant warm-season crops. As soon as you realize your date, you’ll be higher geared up to time your plantings and shield tender seedlings if a late frost sneaks in.

Subsequent, Put together Your Beds and Test the Irrigation

To organize your backyard for brand spanking new vegetation, begin by pulling again any mulch and including amendments to the soil round present crops if wanted. Add about 4 cups of worm castings to every 4×8 mattress, then prime off the beds with compost or raised mattress combine to interchange the natural matter used final season. Maintain feeding worms in any in-bed vermicomposting bins to keep up wholesome soil life.

After that, examine your watering system. Repair leaks or clogged emitters and guarantee each space of the mattress is getting water. Time how lengthy it takes to achieve 12 inches deep—this may information you on how lengthy to water every session. I exploit the backyard grids from Backyard in Minutes in my raised beds. (Use code Angela10 to avoid wasting $10 off $100 or GITG5 to avoid wasting 5 % on any dimension order.)

Correct preparation now lays the muse for a profitable rising season.

Monitor Your Soil Temperature

Realizing each your soil temperature and your final frost date is essential to deciding when to plant warm-season crops. If the soil stays too chilly, seeds germinate slowly or by no means attain their full potential. Use a thermometer (that is the one I exploit) to verify a number of spots on the depth the place seeds or roots will likely be planted, leaving it in place for a couple of minutes every time. Do that within the mornings for a couple of week to see if temperatures are persistently inside the ultimate ranges on your chosen crops:

55°F (13°C) – Corn, Tomatoes

65°F (18°C) – Cucumbers, Peppers

70°F (21°C) – Beans, Melons, Squash

75°F (24°C) – Pumpkin, Okra, Eggplant

Get extra particulars about the way to verify your soil temperature on this information.

Need extra details about gardening in Arizona? This weblog publish shares seven ideas for the way to develop a vegetable backyard in Arizona. 

Greens, Herbs & Fruit to plant within the low desert in February

When you watch for the soil to achieve the proper temperature for warm-season crops, there are nonetheless loads of choices to plant all through February. It’s an ideal window for including perennial herbs that can thrive long-term, appeal to useful bugs, and supply year-round taste within the kitchen. Getting them in now provides them time to settle earlier than the summer time warmth arrives, so don’t miss the possibility to plant as many herbs as doable.

(Click on the hyperlink to learn “Learn how to Develop” articles on my web site.)

What to Plant after February fifteenth (or after the final spring frost)

When you’re previous your final frost date and your soil has warmed up (control these climate forecasts), it’s time to maneuver quick. The low desert’s spring season could be brief, so getting warm-season greens within the floor early helps you benefit from the window earlier than the extreme warmth units in. When circumstances look proper, go forward and plant.

SEED, TRANSPLANT, OR BOTH? S = Seed T= Transplant

Vegetable, Herb, and Fruit Planting Information for the Low Desert of Arizona

The last word useful resource for gardeners in arid areas with scorching summers and gentle winters—designed particularly for the low desert of Arizona.It options data on how and when to begin seeds indoors and when to transplant them exterior for practically 100 completely different fruits, greens, and herbs.

Vegetable, herb, and fruit seeds to begin indoors throughout February

If you would like an early leap on summer time favorites, beginning seeds indoors may give them a head begin earlier than the soil exterior is heat sufficient. For extra particulars, try my information on the way to begin seeds indoors. Should you choose direct sowing, many crops can go straight into the bottom as soon as out of doors temperatures and soil circumstances are proper.

(Click on the hyperlink for seed sources.)

Perpetual Vegetable, Fruit & Herb Calendar exhibits you when to plant greens within the low desert of Arizona and whether or not to plant seeds or transplants. See it in my store.

Flowers to plant within the low desert in February

Don’t overlook the flowers (even in the event you consider your self as only a vegetable gardener). Choose a pair from these lists. You’ll love the wonder and pollinators they add to your backyard.

(Click on the hyperlink to learn “Learn how to Develop” articles on my web site.)

SEED, TRANSPLANT, OR BOTH? S = Seed T= Transplant

Plant New Roses

February is a superb month to plant container-grown roses. Early planting provides them time to determine earlier than the summer time warmth arrives. I get mine from Heirloom Roses—check out my favorites and use this low cost code GARDENAZ20 via 2025 for a 20% low cost.

Flower seeds to begin indoors within the low desert in February

Wish to get a leap begin on summer time flowers? Begin a few of these flowers indoors now.

(Click on the hyperlink for seed sources.)

The Perpetual Annual Flower Planting Calendar, accessible in my store, helps you be taught when to plant flowers within the low desert of Arizona and whether or not to plant seeds or transplants.

Learn how to Maximize Your Harvest

If you would like probably the most out of our brief spring season, give warm-season crops the most effective actual property in your yard, the place they’ll get probably the most hours of daylight. Area them appropriately—crowded vegetation compete for vitamins and water, so skinny seedlings early and infrequently to forestall overcrowding. Follow deep, rare watering from the begin to encourage sturdy root techniques, and add a layer of mulch to assist retain moisture and regulate soil temperature. These easy steps go a good distance towards boosting your harvest in a rush.

What About Overwintered Peppers, Eggplants, and Tomatoes?

Should you’ve efficiently overwintered these vegetation, they’re already forward of the sport. After your final frost date, verify their well being. If they’ve sturdy stems and new development, prune again any broken areas to simply above the place new development is seen—this alerts the plant to begin rising. Fertilize to provide them the vitamins they should recuperate and thrive.

As soon as nighttime temperatures keep above 55°F, they’ll start setting fruit, supplying you with an earlier harvest than ranging from scratch. If the plant is simply too broken or struggling, changing it with a brand new transplant in a distinct spot could also be higher.

Learn the whole information to pruning peppers, tomatoes, and eggplants after winter right here.

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