September isn't too late to plant seeds in your garden. Here are 15 vegetables you can plant in September and enjoy a harvest before or even through winter.
For US Hardiness Zones 6 and lower, you'll want to start in the beginning of September, Zones 7 & 8, start between beginning and mid-September and Zones 9 & 10 can plant any time during September.
15 Seeds To Plant In September
- Lettuce loves temperatures between 55-75° F, but will need to be harvested before hard frost
- Broccoli is hardy to 28°F
- Kale is hardy to 20°F. To get tender leaves, cover during frost.
- Swiss Chard is hardy to 15°F and can be harvested as soon as the plant has 4 or more sets of leaves.
- Collard Greens are hardy to 5°F. The plants tough leaves are what make it so hardy, cook the leaves to make them tender enough to eat.
- Peas will be ready to harvest in 2 months before hard frost sets in.
- Carrots are hardy to 15°F and can grow throughout most of the winter. They need loose soil, so be sure to loosen soil deeply or plant in mounds.
- Radishes are hardy to 28°F and are often ready to harvest in 25-30 days. They offer the bonus of edible leaves.
- Spinach is usually ready to harvest in 1 month, but will be killed by hard frost.
- Cauliflower is hardy to 10°F. Because it is prone to insects, you should play close attention and apply Neem oil as a deterrent as needed.
- Cabbage is hardy to 20°F. Cabbage is also prone to pests, so apply Neem oil as needed.
- Onions will grow through winter. You can harvest as green onions in Fall or allow to over winter for larger onions in spring. Plant short day onions in September.
- Beets should be planted 2 months before the first frost.
- Turnips should also be planted 2 months before first frost.
- Arugula is hardy to 10°F and will still germinate in temperatures as low as 40°F
Take advantage of the last couple of months of temperate weather to grow some nutritious cool-weather vegetables. Check out some of our cool weather seed collections like the Fall Garden Collection, Cool Weather Collection, and Greens Collection.
