Southwest Planting Tips by Month

JANUARY
Check weather forecast for freeze warnings ● Cover the tips of sensitive columnar cacti with styrofoam cups ● Use frost cloth or a blanket to cover aloes, citrus, and other sensitive plants when temperatures drop below 28°F ● Water winter annual wildflowers once a week ● Thin wildflower seedlings if crowded ● Recycle your cut Christmas tree

FEBRUARY
Protect sensitive plants on nights below 28°F ● Leave any frost-killed foliage and branches on landscape plants – this will protect the base of the plant, which should re-sprout ● Fertilize citrus, fruit trees, roses, and lawns on Valentine’s Day ● Prune mesquites and other large trees, grapes, and roses ● Plant spring-blooming bulbs and garden annuals ● Begin harvest of citrus

MARCH
The average last day of freezing weather is March 15th ● After this date, prune frost-damaged foliage and branches ● Purchase and plant new perennials, shrubs, trees, annuals, and herbs ● Plant spring vegetable garden ● Spread mulch under and around plants ● Continue to harvest citrus

APRIL
An ideal month to plant cactus & succulents, citrus, and palms ● Finish the planting of herbaceous perennials and herbs ● Fertilize shrubs ● Increase watering as temperatures rise ● Adjust irrigation clock to increase watering frequency ● Stop watering winter annual wildflowers, collect seed, and rake up dried remains

MAY
Finish the planting of cactus & succulents ● Place shade cloth over newly planted cacti & succulents to avoid sunburn ● Continue to increase watering and irrigation, especially for plants in containers ● Fertilize citrus, fruit trees, roses, and lawns on Memorial Day

JUNE
Avoid planting new plants during this, the hottest month ● Watch for signs of water stress and sunburn ● Increase watering, but beware of hot hose water ● Stop mosquitoes before the summer rains by eliminating places where water may collect ● Watch for pests like cactus longhorn beetles and agave snout weevils ● See the Arizona queen of the night cactus when it blooms ● Garden in the early morning or late evening to beat the heat

JULY
Avoid planting new plants except summer wildflowers or monsoon-season crops ● Collect rainwater through water harvesting ● Use BT mosquito dunks in any standing water ● Maintain watering for most plants, but discontinue temporarily after heavy monsoon rains ● Stop watering cacti & succulents if moderate to heavy rains arrive ● Prune drooping tree limbs or wind-damaged branches

AUGUST
Keep weeds under control ● Trim and dead-head spent flowers, but do not replant until cooler weather ● Prepare vegetable and annual flower beds for planting ● Watch for iron deficiency on roses – treat with chelated iron

SEPTEMBER
An ideal month to plant most trees and shrubs ● Fertilize citrus, fruit trees, roses, and lawns on Labor Day ● Prune plants to shape after summer rains ● Harvest pomegranates ● Plant tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash, gourds, and pumpkins ● Divide and transplant iris ● Prepare a site for winter annual wildflowers

OCTOBER
Reduce watering to help plants harden-off for winter ● Adjust irrigation clock for less frequent watering ● Plant cool-season annuals, vegetables, and herbs ● Continue to plant trees and shrubs ● Plant hardy cactus & succulents ● Move adeniums, Madagascar palms, stapelias, and other cold-sensitive succulents indoors ● Prepare frost cloth and cactus-covers for the arrival of frost

NOVEMBER
Begin checking the forecast for freeze warnings ● The average first frost arrives mid-November ● Prepare to cover and protect sensitive plants when temperatures drop below 28°F ● Bring potted succulents indoors when in doubt about cold sensitivity ● Further reduce watering and irrigation ● Sow winter annual wildflower seeds and water them in ● Collect fallen leaves and add to compost pile ● Harvest Mexican limes

DECEMBER
Check weather forecast for freeze warnings ● Cover the tips of sensitive columnar cacti with styrofoam cups ● Use frost cloth or a blanket to cover aloes, citrus, and other sensitive plants when temperatures drop below 28°F ● Reduce watering and irrigation frequency to a minimum, but water thoroughly when needed ● Water annual wildflower seedlings once a week during dry winters ● Plant bare-root roses and fruit trees ● Choose an Aleppo pine or Mondell pine as a live Christmas tree, if desired for planting in a low water-use landscape

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