Your May low desert garden guide is here! Only in the low desert is May considered the start of summer – and it’s the perfect time to get your garden ready for the heat.
Best Vegetables to Plant in May
PKG Top Tip for May: Don’t forget about Shade Protection!
As we transition into the hotter months, now is the time to provide shade where needed. Very few plants thrive in the intense afternoon sun without a little help. Check your soil before planting, add worm castings, and apply mulch to help retain moisture. Adjust your watering schedule as temperatures rise—use a water meter to make sure your plants are getting enough, and water more deeply but less often.
Favorite May Low Desert Garden Plants:
Armenian Cucumbers
- Love the heat! Start from seed – 2 to 3 seeds per planting hole.
- Best grown on a trellis with 2 to 3 feet of space per plant.
- Water consistently (they’re drought-tolerant) and prune suckers for airflow.
- Harvest often to encourage continuous production.
Basil
- Thrives in the heat! start from transplants or direct sow when nighttime temps are above 70°F.
- Space 12 to 18 inches apart and plant deep (at least 12 inches) to support large root systems.
- Needs well-draining soil and consistent deep watering in extreme heat.
- Use 2 inches of mulch to retain moisture.
- Prune when 6 to 8 inches tall to encourage bushy growth.
Cantaloupe
- Start from seed or young transplants; amend soil with 2–3 inches of compost.
- Space 18 inches apart, and consider using a trellis for vertical growth.
- Use phosphorus-rich (not nitrogen-heavy) fertilizer.
- Row covers can help protect from pests.
- Needs 2 inches of water per week, especially during flowering and fruiting.
- Prune end vines for fewer, but larger, melons.
Low Desert Sweet Potatoes
- Grown from slips (sprouts from mature sweet potatoes). You can buy them or grow your own (instructions on phoenixkitchengardens.com).
- Plant slips March–June in full sun with afternoon shade.
- Space 10–14 inches apart, 2–3 inches deep with roots and two nodes buried.
- Don’t prune the vines—they need leaf exposure to grow.
- Trellis if space is limited, and occasionally lift vines to prevent rooting.
- Water deeply and less frequently as plants mature; shade young slips as they establish.
When harvesting sweet potatoes, there are a few things to take into consideration:
- Ready in 90–120+ days.
- Harvest when vines start to yellow and die back.
- Gently dig with your hands—tubers are delicate until cured.
Keep cool this May!
P.S. For more low desert garden to table tips, don’t forget to follow Phoenix Kitchen Gardens on Instagram and Facebook!
