Nothing better than a thriving herb garden so you can season everyday dishes with fresh herbs you’ve grown yourself. Building one is as easy as buying a few herb garden kits! Of course, there are certain things to consider when growing herbs, such as proper watering and ample sunshine - herbs are notorious for being thirsty and needing at least 6 hours of sunlight.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has divided the country according to different hardiness zones. These hardiness zones are determined by the minimum temperature brought on by the climate experienced in a specific region.

Zone 9 Explained

Herbs thrive in warm temperatures, and the best zone to grow herbs is in zone 9. Zone 9 has a temperature between 20 and 30 degrees F with a desert-like climate that's hot during the day and cool during the night. The soil quality is often loose and sandy. Since herbs hate standing water, the soil quality is ideal for growing herbs too.

The Best Herbs to Grow in Zone 9

Generally, herbs that will thrive in zone 9 need at least 6 hours of the full sun with little protection from the heat. Below are herbs that require direct exposure to the morning sun with some protection in the afternoon.

On the other hand, these herbs will thrive in direct sunlight for at least 6 hours without any protection from the hot climate.

How to Grow Herbs in Zone 9

For your garden, you can choose starter plants or grow the herbs from seed using herb growing kits. Whichever way you grow your herbs, it’s essential to choose a spot in your garden that receives at least 6 hours of the full sun every day.

Once you’ve chosen a spot to grow your herbs, you need to prepare the soil in your garden plot. Turn over the soil in the garden and mix in rich, well-rotted compost to boost its nutrient profile. Work the soil to achieve a loose texture for easy digging.

Dig holes that are large enough to fit the root ball of the seedlings. Space each plant out about 2 to 3 feet in between. Carefully remove the seedlings from the container and pop each one gently in each hole. Fill the soil around it and water lightly. Water the herbs regularly and prune them occasionally to encourage new growth.

Herb Growing Tips in Zone 9

Virtually all zone 9 herbs require well-draining soil. Herbs tend to suffer from root rot when exposed to wet soils. If the soil is too compact, work it to create a looser texture, then mix in a bit of compost.

Water only when the soil feels dry to the touch. Do not wait until the soil is cracked and bone dry. If the herbs look a little wilted, take that as a sign that they are thirsty.

Air circulation is just as important as far as growing herbs in zone 9 go. Do not crowd the herb plants; they need room to grow. Herbs like sage, mint, marjoram, oregano, or rosemary, for example, need at least 3 feet between even if they do not grow too big.

Watch out for herbs that grow too fast. Mint is notorious for being invasive and will take over the entire plot if left to grow on its own! You need to prune quick-growing herbs, so they don’t end up choking the rest of your herb plants. You can also grow invasive herbs in pots to keep them in check.

When it comes to fertilizers, most plants do not need them, and adding too much of the stuff could cause the herbs to produce very little essential oil. Use fertilizers as needed and opt for organic fertilizers because herbs go to your food.

Be strategic in terms of how you water your herbs. Water around the plants and never the leaves; otherwise, they’ll be prone to rot and diseases. Dry the herb plants in between watering.

Some herbs do better in pots than in-ground. Thyme, rosemary, sage, and oregano will grow well in containers because these do not require a lot of space to grow. On the other hand, herbs like cilantro and parsley take up more space, so these are best-grown in-ground. You can also plant multiple herbs in one pot.

Heat-loving herbs love hot days and cool nights. If you live in zone 9, you are in luck; many herbs can be grown in your region! If you live in zone 9, now is a good time to buy herb kits and build the herb garden of your dreams. Our herb garden kits come with all the materials you need to build a garden. Click here to learn more about it!