April planting in the Arizona low desert gives roots a few mild weeks before 100°F days arrive. Heat-tolerant trees, shrubs, vegetables and herbs all still go in this month. Tomatoes and peppers are mostly too late.
Key takeaways
- Finish trees, shrubs and perennials by the end of April. The first 100°F day in the East Valley often falls between late April and mid-May.
- Dig the hole 2 to 3 times as wide as the root ball and no deeper, with the top of the root ball level with or slightly above the surrounding soil.
- Spread 2 to 3 inches of organic mulch over the root zone and keep it a few inches back from the trunk or crown.
- Water new plantings every 2 to 3 days at first, then stretch the interval as roots spread over the next 4 to 6 weeks.
- Okra, sweet potato slips, black-eyed peas, Armenian cucumber and basil still work in April. Tomatoes, peppers and squash should wait for fall.
Why does April planting matter in Arizona?
April matters because new roots need several weeks of moderate weather to spread before summer heat arrives. A plant set out in early April may get 4 to 6 of those weeks, while one planted in late April may get only 2 to 3.
Summer highs above 110°F pull water out of leaves faster than a small root system can replace it. Plants that have not rooted out by June spend the summer on life support. The monsoon, roughly July through September, brings humidity and some relief, but only plants that survive June get to use it. Earlier is better.
Our gardening calendars lay out what belongs in the ground each month, and they are a good companion to this list once April is behind you.
Which trees, shrubs and perennials can I plant in April?
Heat-loving, desert-adapted plants do best in April, because they want warm soil and full sun. These are varieties we commonly carry in our desert trees and shrub and perennial sections, though availability changes week to week and season to season.
Desert Museum palo verde (Parkinsonia ‘Desert Museum’)
This hybrid palo verde grows 20 to 30 feet tall with a spreading, green-barked canopy and yellow spring bloom. It wants full sun and soil that drains well. The drawback is size, so give it room away from pools and walls, because it drops small leaves and flowers.
Lantana (Lantana camara)
Lantana grows 2 to 4 feet tall and wider, and it blooms from spring until frost, even against hot block walls. Butterflies visit it. Frost can burn it back in winter, so plan to cut it back in late winter. Some lantana is also fairly toxic if eaten, which matters if you have pets.
Red bird of paradise (Caesalpinia pulcherrima)
This shrub reaches roughly 6 to 10 feet and carries orange and red flowers through the hot months. It handles full sun and heat well. A hard frost can freeze it to the ground, though it often resprouts from the base in spring. Its seed pods are messy.
Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea hybrids)
Bougainvillea gives intense color from spring through fall on a sunny, warm wall. Water it deeply and let the soil dry between waterings, since too much water produces leaves instead of color. Thorns are sharp, and frost damages it, so choose a protected spot.
Desert marigold (Baileya multiradiata)
This native perennial stays around 1 to 2 feet tall, with silvery foliage and yellow daisy-like flowers on tall stems. It needs very little water once settled. It is short-lived, so expect to replace it or let it reseed.
What vegetables and herbs can I still plant in April?
Heat-loving crops still go in during April, including okra, sweet potato slips, black-eyed peas, Armenian cucumber and basil. The University of Arizona Cooperative Extension has a vegetable planting calendar for Maricopa County that shows planting windows by crop.
- Okra: Direct sow seed or set out small transplants, since it keeps producing through summer heat.
- Sweet potato: Plant slips from April into early summer for a fall harvest.
- Black-eyed peas: Sow seed directly into warm soil.
- Armenian cucumber: It tolerates heat better than standard slicing cucumbers.
- Basil, rosemary and Mexican oregano: All go in now, and basil in particular likes the warmth.
You can browse our herbs, vegetables and berries for starts, though what we have changes with the season. Tomatoes, peppers and squash planted this late tend to struggle, because blossoms often drop when daytime highs stay above the mid 90s. Save those for the fall garden.
How do I plant a tree or shrub in April?
Plant wide and shallow, water at planting, mulch, and set up drip right away. Our alkaline soil and caliche make the first step matter most, because a hole that holds water will rot roots during monsoon season.
- Fill the hole with water before you plant. If it has not drained after several hours, you have a drainage problem to fix first.
- Dig the hole 2 to 3 times as wide as the root ball and only as deep as the root ball itself.
- If you hit caliche, break through it with a digging bar so water can drain below the root zone.
- Slide the plant out of its container and loosen any circling roots with your fingers.
- Set the top of the root ball level with or slightly above the soil, so water drains away from the trunk.
- Backfill mostly with the native soil. A small amount of compost is fine, but heavily amended holes can keep roots from leaving the hole.
- Water slowly and deeply to settle the soil and soak the entire root zone.
- Spread 2 to 3 inches of organic mulch over the root zone, kept a few inches from the trunk.
- Place drip emitters at the edge of the root ball, not against the trunk, so roots grow outward.
- Hold off on fertilizer until you see new leaf growth, usually 4 to 6 weeks.
Planting too deep is the most common mistake. A crown set below the soil surface stays wet and can rot.
How often should I water new plantings in April?
Water new plantings every 2 to 3 days at first, then stretch the interval as the roots spread. The ranges below are starting points, and sandy soil dries out faster than clay.
| Plant type | Weeks 1 and 2 | Weeks 3 to 6 | After it is established |
|---|---|---|---|
| Desert trees | Every 2 to 3 days | About twice a week | Deep soak every 1 to 2 weeks in summer |
| Shrubs such as lantana and bougainvillea | Every 2 to 3 days | Every 3 to 4 days | Once or twice a week in peak heat |
| Native perennials | Every 2 to 3 days | Twice a week | Weekly or less |
| Vegetables and herbs | Daily | Daily to every other day | Daily during 110°F stretches |
Check the soil a few inches down before each watering. If it is still damp, wait a day. A plant against a west-facing wall needs more water than the same plant in open ground, because reflected heat dries the soil and leaves faster.
How do I know if a new plant is stressed or underwatered?
Look at it early in the morning. Afternoon wilting is common in the heat and often recovers by evening. A plant still drooping at 7 a.m. needs more water or shade.
Yellowing leaves along with morning wilt can point to too much water instead, so feel the soil before you add more. For plants set out in the second half of April, 30 to 40 percent shade cloth over a simple frame can soften the afternoon sun. Take it off by mid-September, so the plant can harden off in full sun again.
Frequently asked questions
Can I plant palm trees in April?
Yes, April works for most palms. Palms root best in warm soil, so late spring through summer is a good window. Plant them at the same depth they grew in the container and water deeply but not often. You can see what is available in our palm trees section.
Should I fertilize right after planting?
No, wait until you see new growth, usually 4 to 6 weeks. Fertilizer pushes leafy top growth before the roots can support it, which raises water demand on a plant still anchoring itself. After new leaves appear, a light application of slow-release fertilizer is enough for most desert plants.
Is it worth buying a plant that is in full bloom?
It can be, but a plant with fewer open flowers often settles in faster. Heavy bloom uses energy that could go toward new roots. If you buy one in full flower, pinch off some blooms at planting so the plant can focus on root growth.
Do I need to amend native soil for desert plants?
Most desert-adapted plants do not need heavy amendment. Backfill with mostly native soil and spread compost on the surface as mulch instead. Vegetables and herbs are the exception, since they do better in raised beds or well-amended garden soil with good drainage.
What should I do with a ryegrass lawn in April?
Expect it to fade as temperatures climb. Ryegrass is a cool-season grass that declines in summer heat in the low desert. Keep watering it while it is green, but do not count on it lasting into June.
Is it too late to plant in April?
For desert trees, shrubs and heat-loving vegetables, April is late but still workable, especially if you plant in the first half of the month and water carefully. If you are buying tomatoes, peppers, or anything that needs cool nights, wait for fall. If you cannot commit to checking new plants every few days for the first month, you may do better waiting until October. We would be glad to help you choose, so come see us at the nursery in Queen Creek.
