Timing is everything when it comes to gardening, and choosing the right month to plant is essential.
A vegetable garden especially needs careful planning and the right time, but if you think this means you have to wait until spring or the warmer seasons, you’d be wrong.
Although it’s standard for most gardeners to wind down their efforts in the month of September, some locations will find this to be the best planting season.
By choosing the right vegetables, you’ll ensure that your veggie garden will keep producing, and without having to put in too much effort.
So, what are the best vegetables to plant in September?
If you want to grow vegetables in the fall, you can focus on those that grow in cooler weather like salad greens and root vegetables but will have to consider where you live and the usual temperatures.
Included in the list of fall-friendly vegetables are arugula, spinach, lettuce, radishes, carrots, and broccoli.
There’s no need for your produce to start slowing down in September as long as you plan ahead and understand the limitations of your climate.
We’ve created a list of some of the easiest vegetables to keep alive and help thrive during September so your veggie patch doesn’t have to be bare.
Table of Contents
The Best Vegetables to Plant in September
Not all vegetables have to be planted in spring to succeed, and if you’re looking ahead at your gardening schedule and finding September seems a little bare, there’s no need to worry.
These are some of the vegetables that will do well when planted in the fall, provided you live in the right region.
#1 Spinach
Spinach has a short maturity time so it fits perfectly within a September garden, just as the temperature starts to dip.
While some of the vegetables we’ve covered will only work in certain regions, spinach is one of the special ones that can be planted in almost every state in the US during September, and with great results.
Choose an area with full sun so it gets at least eight hours a day and choose a well-draining soil fertilized with organic matter. With these elements in place, you’ll get fresh and vibrant spinach in no time at all.
#2 Bok Choy
Bok choy is a staple in many Asian dishes and if you like to cook this cuisine style, you’ll love having access to your very own plant in the veggie patch.
Thankfully, bok choy is another that does well when planted in September and it’s resilient enough to work in most regions.
Bok choy is a member of the cabbage family, but even tougher, and it does better during this time of year as it needs cooler growing conditions, so keep it away from the summer heat.
#3 Arugula
Arugula is known as a fall vegetable so it makes sense to get planting in September if you want to enjoy it.
Arugula, or rocket, is a great addition to salad and easy enough to grow, even for beginner gardeners. You can plant new seeds every couple of weeks to keep a constant supply going of arugula, and even when the temperatures dip a little it’ll continue to perform.
Keep it in full sun and with a well-draining soil, and it’ll flourish with ease, even in September.
#4 Radish
Radish is one of the fastest-growing vegetables and if you want something that’ll produce the goods in around two weeks, it’s the way to go.
Radish also performs well in September and is considered a great fall plant to grow. You can sow new seeds every couple of weeks to keep it going, but make sure it’s planted where the soil is cool and there’s a lot of moisture, otherwise it’ll fail.
Radish is a good ingredient in soups, dressings, and salads, so it’s a versatile September vegetable to have on hand.
#5 Lettuce
There’s not much lettuce can’t do, and it’s the main part of many popular dishes. If you’re looking for a September friendly vegetable to grow, lettuce should be on your list.
This simple vegetable suits all regions of North America regardless of how the climate is, and it requires very little in ongoing care. To get the most flavorsome lettuce, choose a spot that is almost full sun, with a little bit of shade.
This is one of the only vegetables that will tolerate a spot of darkness, so if you’re working with a garden that has limited space, it’s one of the best options.
#6 Collard Greens
The collard green is a staple side dish for many and a plant that does well in cooler seasons.
September is a great time to plant collard greens in your garden if you live in the Northwest, Southeast, or Southwest regions of America, as these present the ideal growing conditions.
A collard green needs as much sunlight as possible but prefers a cool garden, and in some cases, you can grow them indoors as long as they get full sun all day.
#7 Beets
Beets are known as some of the toughest vegetables out there and are naturally resistant to many of the pests and diseases that others are affected by, making them a good choice for beginner gardeners or low maintenance green thumbs.
If you want something simple and delicious to plant in September, they offer a lot.
Beets only need the basics to thrive, so make sure your garden has full sun, rich soil, and adequate drainage, and you’ll be rewarded with their deliciousness in six to eight weeks.
#8 Kale
Kale has become the “it” thing in the world of vegetables and if you’re looking for an easy plant to grow in September, it’s one of the favorites.
Kale works best for people living in the Southwest and Gulf Coast region of the USA, so it’s not ideal for everyone. This plant works in containers or raised beds so you don’t even need to have a dedicated veggie garden to make it work.
However, you’ll be rewarded with dark green leaves full of nutrients and vitamins, and all from your own backyard.
#9 Broccoli
Broccoli has a solid reputation as a cool-season crop and it fits perfectly into a fall planting schedule if you’re wondering what to grow in September.
Anyone who’s grown broccoli before will tell you how much better it tastes than something you find at the store, although it requires a little finesse compared to some of the other plants.
Overall, though, broccoli is easy to grow and is quick to harvest, so it ticks two boxes that people look for when planning their fall garden.
#10 Leeks
There’s nothing tastier than a leek and potato soup, especially when you’ve grown it in your own vegetable garden.
Leek is regarded as a cool-season vegetable as well and it’s a great pick for September planting.
A leek takes between 25 to 40 weeks to mature and is better suited to people living in the Southwest as the weather conditions are ideal to help it flourish if you’re growing at this time of year.
This is a crop that’s ideal for those with a bit of gardening knowledge but will deliver a delicious vegetable that works well in the fall.
Related Questions
There’s no need to throw in the gardening gloves just because the weather is cooling down.
For those vegetable fanatics, you’ll see that there are still plenty of options for growing your nightly dinner even when September rolls around.
If you have more questions about gardening in the fall, read on to see the answers to some commonly asked ones.
As seasons are different everywhere, the best way to plan a fall garden is to look forward to the first frost date, if there is usually a time when this occurs.
With this date in mind, you can then work backward and figure out how much time you have to plant and harvest whatever it is you’re growing.
If you like to grow flowers year-round and are trying to plan your fall garden, there are some species known to adapt better than others.
The best fall flowers include the Pansy, Chrystantheum, Celosia, Flowering Kale, Dianthus, and Purple Fountain Grass, just to name a few.
Fall is a great time to fertilize a lawn, as the morning dew that occurs during this season helps the fertilizer to be absorbed better.
As for a garden bed, it’s best to leave your flowers unfertilized during this time as the temperatures aren’t quite right, but this does depend on your location and climate.
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