Found in Southern Oregon, much of California, the Southwest, Texas, and Florida, Zone 9 has a long growing season from March to December with an annual minimum temperature of 15ºF. Despite the hot summers, with so much sunlight it’s an ideal climate for growing veggies, flowers, and even exotic fruit trees.
Since temperatures can climb pretty high in the summer make sure to protect your plants by planting them in areas where they’ll get some shade on hot days. If natural shade isn’t an option, try planting vulnerable herbs and veggies under our Easy Net Tunnels to keep them from getting scorched. It’s also critical to keep soil moist; check out our variety of Garden Watering and Irrigation tools to ensure your garden stays hydrated year round.
States in Zone 9: Oregon, California, Nevada, Arizona, Texas, Louisiana, Florida
Now’s the perfect time to get long-growth period veggies, fruit trees, and a wide range of perennial flowers into the ground. Be sure to prep soil a few days ahead of time with fertilizer to optimize early growth.
Recommended Plants:
Vegetables & Herbs
Fruits & Berries
Flowers
Trees & Shrubs
Early summer’s the time to start filling in your garden with a whole host of veggies that love the hot weather, from juicy melons to scrumptious squash. Provide pops of color by getting hardy tropical plants and citrus trees into the ground as well.
Recommended Plants:
Vegetables & Herbs
Fruits & Berries
Flowers
Trees & Shrubs
With the cooler weather comes a whole new crop of hardy, cold-loving veggies and herbs that benefit from the crisp air and reduced sunlight.
Recommended Plants:
Vegetables & Herbs
Fruits & Berries
Flowers
Trees & Shrubs
Zone 9 gardeners are fortunate when it comes to winter planting opportunities; because the temperature doesn’t dip too low it’s a great time to supplement your harvest with new root veggies and get trees into the ground. Once frosts start, however, you’ll still need to protect roots and vulnerable foliage with coverage from the cold.
Recommended Plants:
Vegetables & Herbs
Fruits & Berries
Flowers
Trees & Shrubs
Unfortunately, the same wonderful growing conditions that promote a healthy garden also encourage all manner of weeds to thrive, too. Luckily, keeping them in check is entirely possible with our Weed Control tools and herbicides. While you’re digging in, make sure you protect yourself from the sun, mud, and any spiky, sticky plants themselves with our Gardening Clothes & Footwear.