PHOENIX — As the relentless triple-digit heat finally loosens its grip on Phoenix, fall ushers in one of the best gardening seasons in the Valley of the Sun. Unlike many parts of the country where autumn signals a slowdown, our desert climate opens the door to an entirely new round of planting. From cool-season vegetables to desert-adapted fruit trees, fall gardening kicks into gear in September.

Understanding your growing zone

The Valley of the Sun sits primarily in . These zones reflect the average annual extreme minimum temperatures and help gardeners choose plants that can survive desert winters. In practical terms, Zone 9b means the coldest winter lows typically dip between 25–30°F, while 10a averages 30–35°F. This mild range allows for both cold-hardy crops and certain subtropical

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