Even if you don’t have a green thumb, you can easily grow herbs in Phoenix or gardening zone 9b. Herbs don’t take a lot of space and once established they are not fussy plants.
Not only are herb gardens pretty to look at, the scent is heavenly and they provide you with a fresh supply of seasonings. Below you’ll find a guide to growing perennial and annual herbs.
Learn when and how to plant herbs, how to care for herbs, when to harvest and the best companion plants for herbs.
Herbs are the friend of a physician and the pride of cooks
Charlemagne
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Tips on Growing Herbs in Phoenix Arizona: Gardening Zone 9b
Many herbs originate from hot or tropical climates such as the Mediterranean, North Africa, southeast Asia and Central America. It’s no wonder herbs are so easy to grow in Phoenix. You can grow an herb garden in Phoenix in just a few easy steps.
- Choose a spot in your yard where herbs receive morning or mid-morning sun.
- Are you starting from seed or buying a starter plant? Either way you will want to plant the right time of year. In Phoenix the ideal time is October and February.
- If planting by seed, soak your seeds 24 hours before you plant.
- Keep seedlings moist until they show growth. After this water regularly and deeply. If your plants are in a container the soil will dry out faster, so you will need to water frequently.
What Kind of Herbs Can You Plant?
Herbs can be perennial, biennial, or annual. My favorite herbs are perennials. Plant them once and they keep coming back. Replant annual herbs each year.
When to Plant Herbs in Phoenix
Warm season herbs prefer warmer weather and cool season herbs are herbs that can tolerate some cold. Plant herbs in the fall and in the spring.
AeroGarden Bounty Basic – Indoor Garden with LED Grow Light
If you would like to garden indoors year-round. You can grow up to 9 different herbs in this hydroponic AeroGarden.
How to Care for Herbs
Herbs are pretty easy to take care of. Water regularly and deeply once established.
If you choose to fertilize, use low-nitrogen, slow-acting fertilizer on herbs. When fertilizing we like to use liquid fish emulsion, however there are many different fertilizers available at your local nursery or home improvement stores.
When and How to Harvest Herbs
Harvest herbs after they show sustained growth, but before they start to flower. Just take a snip of the herb you want to use. When harvesting herbs cut no more than one-third of the plant. Most herbs will be at their peak flavor just before they drop their flowers.
