General Tips

  • In general, most soil found in zone 9 is either sandy or clay, both require amendments to increase the soil quality.  Helpful Link: How to Amend Sandy Soil
  • Zone 9 is known for hot summers and mild winters.  Most crops grow well here, but beware of crops that are heat sensitive as even some days in the winter can get quite warm.
  • Most crops that require a certain amount of frost days will not do well in Zone 9.  But if you look around, you may find a suitable substitution.

Spring Tips

  • Spring is one of the best growing seasons in Zone 9.
  • Plant most spring crops in late winter to extend the growing season (mid-late January is a good time to sow most spring crops, as long as the threat of frost has passed)
  • Most crops will grow in Zone 9 during the spring, here is a good list of what to plant:  Spring Planting Guide

Summer Tips

  • Summers in Zone 9 can be VERY hot limiting what crops will produce well.   Helpful Link: Summer Planting Guide
  • Use shade cloth to extend the growing season of heat sensitive plants into summer.
  • Summer is the best time to harvest many peppers.  Keep them in an area that gets shade for about 1/4-1/2 of the day, keep them well watered, and harvest often!

Fall Tips

  • Fall is a great time to start a leafy greens garden.  Plant them mid-late fall for a great winter harvest.
  • Most summer crops will continue to thrive well into the fall in Zone 9, some will even survive late into the winter.
  • Fall is the perfect time to take finished compost from your pile and add it to the soil or use it as side dressing or mulch.

Winter Tips

  • Many hot peppers can be transplanted from the ground to a container (5 gallon bucket works) and moved in side to avoid cold!
  • As the end of winter approaches, slow growing plants such as tomatoes and peppers should be sown inside.  A self watering seedling system works well for this.
  • Harvesting carrots in the winter will give the carrots a sweeter flavor.
  • Many vegetable seed vendors have great deals on seeds this time of year.  Shop around and find them!