What to plant this week in Mesa, AZ
In Mesa's intense 9b heat, this week marks the peak window for sowing warm-season crops like cantaloupe and bush beans before the mid-April lull. With frost long behind us since late January, focus entirely on heat-tolerant varieties that thrive in our unique desert basin climate.
The next 7 days
Mesa, AZGrowing in Mesa right now
- Our alkaline desert soils often bake hard; mix in compost immediately around new transplants or direct sow seeds to prevent drying out.
- Mesa's intense afternoon sun can scorch tender leaves of fennel and shiso; provide temporary shade cloth for the first two weeks after sowing.
- Water deeply but infrequently during this dry season to encourage deep root growth, avoiding frequent light sprinkles that favor weeds over crops.
Sow this week
26 crops- Basil
- Borage
- Bush Bean
- Cantaloupe
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cosmos
- Cowpea (Black-Eyed Pea)
- Cucumber
- Edamame
- Fennel
- French Marigold
- Garden Verbena
- Lima Bean
- Malabar Spinach
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Pole Bean
- Scarlet Runner Bean
- Shiso (Japanese Basil)
- Summer Savory
- Sweet Corn
- Thai Basil
- Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zinnia
- Zucchini
Transplant this week
Nothing is due to go out this week.
Harvest soon
36 crops- Basil
- Borage
- Bush Bean
- Cantaloupe
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cosmos
- Cowpea (Black-Eyed Pea)
- Cucumber
- Edamame
- Fennel
- Flour Corn
- French Marigold
- Garden Verbena
- Garlic
- Gourd (Ornamental/Bottle)
- Honeydew Melon
- Lima Bean
- Loofah (Luffa)
- Malabar Spinach
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Pole Bean
- Pumpkin
- Roselle (Cranberry Hibiscus)
- Scarlet Runner Bean
- Shiso (Japanese Basil)
- Summer Savory
- Sunflower
- Sweet Corn
- Thai Basil
- Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)
- Watermelon
- Winter Squash
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zinnia
- Zucchini
Seasonal tips
- Sow heat-loving seeds directly into warm soil after the last frost date passes.
- Thin out dense seedlings like beans and corn to ensure proper air circulation.
- Apply a light layer of mulch around established plants to retain moisture as temperatures rise.
Pest & disease watch
- Spider mites explode in populations on hot, dusty days attacking zinnias and marigolds; mist leaves early morning or use neem oil.
- Cutworms frequently attack young squash and bean seedlings at night; check collar areas daily and hand-pick any found.
- Aphids cluster on the new growth of okra and nasturtiums in this humidity-free heat, often requiring strong water sprays to dislodge them.
Watering this week
Provide deep, consistent watering at the soil line to encourage strong root development in these heat-loving annuals.
Succession sow bush beans every two weeks throughout this spring window to ensure a continuous harvest all summer long.
Mesa gardening questions
3Can I still start sweet corn directly into the ground now?
Yes, sweet corn is currently listed for sowing, but ensure you plant it after the morning heat has broken to avoid shock. Keep seedlings consistently moist as they emerge through Mesa's dry soil surface.
My zucchini plants look stunted despite watering; is this normal in April?
This often happens when rapid growth outpaces root establishment in our hot, compacted clay-loam mix. Side-dress with a nitrogen-rich fertilizer and water deeply once every few days to help them recover.
Should I harvest my basil now or wait for it to mature further?
Since basil is ready for harvest soon this week, pinch off the top leaves regularly to encourage bushier growth rather than letting it flower. This technique extends the season in our long 9b winter and summer cycle.
Other cities in zone 9b
10See the full zone 9b guide → · Plan your Mesa garden in SproutGuide →