A slow crop. Give it room and steady water; plant early enough that the shanks develop before hot weather.
EdibleCool-season crop
Growing spaceVegetable bedClimate fitUrban core · USDA 9b–10a · Valley suburbs · USDA 9a–9b · Desert outskirts · USDA 8b–9bCrop familyAmaryllidaceae (allium)Life cycleAnnual cropPhoenix planting windowSow September–October or January; fall sowing gives a longer cool season.How to plantStart from seed; transplant pencil-thick seedlings and gradually mound soil for pale shanks.Plant spacing4–6 inFrostTolerates light frost once established; cover during a hard freeze.Time to harvestAbout 180–200 daysSuccessionOne fall sowing, with a small winter trial if space allows.Special categoriesEDIBLETypical harvestLate winter to spring shanks from fall sowings.
Before you plant
These conditions determine whether it will thrive.
Cold hardinessHardy here
Very hardy and handles Phoenix winters without a cover.
Heat toleranceShade from late-afternoon sun
Needs a long cool season. Stalks toughen and plants may flower as it heats up, so harvest by April or May in Phoenix.
