What's in Season in Arizona
Arizona doesn't run on a Northern calendar
In the Southwest Desert, the seasons read differently than most "what's in season" lists assume. Cool-season crops and citrus peak in the cooler months, and the deep summer heat is often the quiet stretch for fresh vegetables — the reverse of the North. If a national calendar looks wrong for Arizona, this is why.
What's in season in Arizona, month by month
Typical seasonal windows for the Southwest Desert region. These are sourced from Cooperative Extension harvest calendars — they're a regional guide, not a guarantee that a given crop is ready in your town on a given date. "From storage" marks crops kept from an earlier harvest rather than picked fresh that month.
| Month | Typically in season |
|---|---|
| January | Peak winter desert harvest: lettuce, spinach, leafy greens, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, celery, carrots, citrus (oranges, grapefruit, lemons) |
| February | Lettuce, leafy greens, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, celery, carrots, citrus; strawberries beginning |
| March | Lettuce, greens, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, carrots, citrus, strawberries, spring onions, early spring vegetables |
| April | Strawberries, spring greens, citrus finishing, early cantaloupe and other melons, squash, carrots |
| May | Cantaloupe and melons, citrus (lemons), squash, sweet corn, early warm-season vegetables |
| June | Melons, cantaloupe, sweet corn, summer squash, peppers, tomatoes, early dates set |
| July | Melons, table grapes, peppers, okra, sweet corn, summer squash (deep-summer heat limits leafy greens) |
| August | Melons, table grapes, okra, peppers, summer squash; pomegranates beginning; cool-season planting starts |
| September | Fall planting underway; okra, peppers, pomegranates, dates, early fall greens; pecans beginning |
| October | Pecans, pomegranates, dates, fall greens, broccoli, cabbage, lettuce beginning, early citrus |
| November | Lettuce, leafy greens, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, carrots, celery; citrus returning; pecans |
| December | Lettuce, leafy greens, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, celery, carrots, citrus (oranges, grapefruit) — winter desert hub ramps up |
Regional-typical windows from Southwest Desert Cooperative Extension calendars (sources below). For your exact local timing, check with your market.
One state, more than one season
How to use this calendar at the market
The single most reliable seasonality guide in Arizona is the farmer who grew the thing, standing behind their table. Walk the whole market once before buying — what's piled high and priced well is almost always what's in season right now. Ask vendors what's just come in and what's nearly done, and when something hits its peak and the price drops, that's the moment to buy extra for freezing or canning. For the bigger picture, see our national what's-in-season produce calendar.
Frequently asked questions
What produce is in season in Arizona right now?
It depends on the month, but Arizona follows the Southwest Desert region's typical pattern. Use the month-by-month table above for your month, then confirm at your local farmers market — the farmers know what's actually peaking that week.
When is peak season at Arizona farmers markets?
Arizona runs more than one season. Cool-season crops and (where grown) citrus peak in the cooler months, and warm-season crops fill the warmer ones — the deep summer is often the quieter stretch for fresh vegetables.
Why might these dates be off for my town in Arizona?
These are typical regional windows, not a town-by-town guarantee. Your elevation, that year's weather, and whether a farmer uses greenhouses or high tunnels can shift any crop by a few weeks. Treat the calendar as a starting point.
Where can I buy what's in season in Arizona?
At a local farmers market or farm stand. Arizona has 103 farmers markets listed here from the USDA Local Food Portal — browse them by city to find one near you and see what's on the tables.
→ Farmers markets in Arizona · CSA farms in Arizona · National produce calendar
Sources
- University of Arizona Cooperative Extension — Planting & Harvesting Calendar (Yuma / Maricopa County)
- University of Arizona Cooperative Extension — Arizona's Seasonal Role in National Supply
- USDA SNAP-Ed — Seasonal Produce Guide
- USDA AMS — Local & Regional Food Directories
These are typical regional harvest windows from Cooperative Extension and USDA sources, not a town-by-town guarantee. Timing varies by microclimate, elevation, weather, and growing method — confirm local timing with the farmers at your market.