Gardening in Zone-9: Winter Edition

By: Lieba Abecassis

There are many perks to Jacksonville living, but one that stands out is the perfect weather for gardening. The frum community is situated in the beautiful Mandarin neighborhood, where there is plenty of room in your backyard to test your green thumb.

Being in Zone-9a means that we have two gardening seasons, and you can take advantage of either. In the winter months, you can grow a lot of cool-season veggies, herbs, and even some flowers!

So what does well in Jacksonville winters? 

• Leafy greens: lettuce, spinach, kale

• Brassicas: broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower

• Root Veggies: carrots, beets, radishes, onions, garlic

• Herbs: cilantro, parsley, dill, oregano 

• Flowers: pansies, petunias, violas

Jacksonville occasionally gets light frosts, so when the weather dips to 20/30 degrees Fahrenheit, be sure to cover your plants to shield them! 

In a local Jax gardening group, Madeline Williams shared her favorite photo of her winter garden with me from last season. “We planted lots of kale, collards, mustards, lettuce, broccoli, brussels, and carrots.” Her best advice is to find local seed companies or local nurseries to help you get started. 

Leila Farris shared her favorite photo, along with her recommended flowers that grow well here in winter:

“I love topiaries. They add structure and year round appeal to the garden. Pansies, snapdragons, allysum, and geraniums are cold tolerant, as well as camellias and azaleas.” 

Speaking of flowers, here are her petunias, allysum, and dianthus doing well in cooler

weather:

For newbies like me who are figuring out what sticks with little maintenance, I have had lots of luck with growing herbs. My basil is still kicking, my parsley was a gift that kept on giving last winter, and my lemon balm was shared amongst friends. Pictured below is my rosemary taking over in time for thanksgiving dinner:

If you have never gardened before, or you have only stuck with perennial gardens, I hope this inspo gives you the courage to try planting for the winter season. You never know what will stick, so don't be afraid to give your green thumb the green light and get your hands just a little dirty.

Happy holiday season!