Monsoon Planting Guide

The Monsoon season is a great time to squeeze in a second round of vegetables typically planted during the Spring season. So if you love crops like zucchini, cucumbers, beans, tomatoes, and peppers then your going to love it.  Some years the rain that comes during the Monsoon season is elusive and we are left with just the intense heat. Therefore, it may make more sense to wait until Fall for any major planting.  But if the humidly has risen and the clouds are forming there are numerous crops that can be grown.

Monsoon season is essentially Summer running from the Summer Solstice (June 21) to the Fall Equinox (Sept 22). Central and Southern Arizona has a bimodal rainfall pattern with half off annual rainfall coming with the summer monsoon season rains. 

Plant before July 1:

These crops have a long growing season and grow well in the heat of summer. However, their productivity and flavor decline as the days shorten in September so it is best to get growing early.

Armenian Cucumbers

Luffa

Malabar Spinach

Melons – cantaloupe, muskmelons

Okra

Pumpkins – if you want Jack-o-Lanterns

Roselle

Plant after July 1:

In the Phoenix area the rains usually don’t start until mid-July, earlier in the Tucson area. I use the time waiting in anticipation to prepare garden beds by clearing crops that have seen better days, adding fresh compost and worm castings, and deciding what to grow.  When humidity rises and clouds form I start planting. Monsoon planting is a slow and steady process. I try to have all that I want to grow planted by the end of August. Tomatoes and Peppers can be planted through Septemeber

Amaranth

Basil

Beans – green beans and dried beans

Corn

Cucumber – slicing, pickling

Eggplants*

Peppers*

Summer Squash  – zucchini and yellow

Sunflowers

Tomatoes*

Winter Squash – butternut, spaghetti, pumpkin

Zinnias

*I prefer transplants but direct seeding is also possible.