What Grows in Scottsdale, AZ?
Scottsdale's desert suburban climate mirrors Phoenix with excellent dual-season growing opportunities.
Zone
Last frost
First frost
Frost-free days
Scottsdale is in USDA Zone 9b with about 300 frost-free days, and you can grow tomatoes, peppers, citrus, herbs, and more here.
Planting tips for Scottsdale
Drip irrigation essential. Shade cloth in summer. Cool crops thrive October through March.
What to plant, and when
Timing by your frost dates — last frost January 15, first frost December 1.
Tomato, Cherry Tomato, Bell Pepper, Chili Pepper, Cucumber, Zucchini, Eggplant, Pumpkin
Lettuce, Kale, Broccoli, Carrot, Radish, Beets, Onion, Cabbage
Green Beans, Potato, Sweet Potato, Corn, Microgreens, Mint, Rosemary, Thyme
Garlic
What grows well in Scottsdale
Tomato
Grows well
Cherry Tomato
Grows well
Bell Pepper
Grows well
Chili Pepper
Grows well
Cucumber
Grows well
Zucchini
Grows well
Green Beans
Grows well
Lettuce
Grows well
Kale
Grows well
Broccoli
Grows well
Carrot
Grows well
Radish
Grows well
Beets
Grows well
Onion
Grows well
Garlic
Grows well
Potato
Grows well
Sweet Potato
Grows well
Corn
Grows well
Cabbage
Grows well
Eggplant
Grows well
Swiss Chard
Grows well
Microgreens
Grows well
Pumpkin
Grows well
Leek
Grows well
Basil
Grows well
Mint
Grows well
Rosemary
Grows well
Thyme
Grows well
Oregano
Grows well
Parsley
Grows wellFrequently asked questions
What hardiness zone is Scottsdale, AZ in?
Scottsdale, AZ is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9b. This drives everything about what you can reliably grow — it maps directly to how cold your winters get.
When is the last frost in Scottsdale?
The average last spring frost in Scottsdale is around January 15, and the first fall frost is typically December 1. Plan to move tender plants outside after January 15 and have them harvested (or protected) before December 1.
What grows well in Scottsdale?
Plenty — Scottsdale's USDA Zone 9b climate supports 30+ crops. Some of the easiest and most reliable here are Cherry Tomato, Chili Pepper, Cucumber.
How long is Scottsdale's growing season?
Scottsdale typically has around 300 frost-free days per year (roughly January 15 to December 1). That's a full season — plenty of time for most annual vegetables plus a succession or fall crop of cool-season greens.
What should I plant first in Scottsdale?
Go with fast-maturing crops to get a quick win while the season is short: Microgreens, Radish, Lettuce are among the quickest from seed to harvest in Scottsdale.
Can I grow vegetables in containers in Scottsdale?
Yes — Scottsdale's climate is container-friendly for the right crops. Tomato, Cherry Tomato, Bell Pepper all do well in pots, which also lets you start them a little earlier and move them in on cold nights.
When should I start seeds indoors in Scottsdale?
For warm-season crops like Tomato, Cherry Tomato, Bell Pepper, start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before your last frost (around January 15), then transplant after the danger of frost has passed.