What to plant in September
What to start indoors, plant or sow outside, and harvest in September, for every hardiness zone from 3a to 10b. Find your zone, or enter your ZIP code for dates made for exactly where you live.
September in each zone
| Zone | Start indoors | Plant or sow outside | Harvest (food crops) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3a | — | Garlic, Mâche, Tulip, Daffodil, Cereal rye | Tomato, Pepper, Eggplant, Cucumber, Zucchini / Summer squash, Sweet corn, Okra, Watermelon, Cantaloupe, Lettuce, Spinach, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Carrot, Beet, Radish, Peas, Swiss chard, Basil, Cannabis auto, Cilantro, Parsley, Dill, Arugula, Bok choy, Brussels sprouts, Collard greens, Kohlrabi, Mustard greens, Leeks, Parsnip, Rutabaga, Turnip, Celery, Scallions, Snap peas, Artichoke, Pole beans, Lima beans, Southern peas, Edamame, Tomatillo, Horseradish, Ground cherry, Strawberry, Chives, Oregano, Thyme, Sage, Rosemary, Mint, Lemon balm, Fennel, Chamomile, Tarragon, Lavender, Borage, Cherry tomato, Hot pepper, Mizuna, Tatsoi, Napa cabbage, Daikon radish, Broccoli raab, Celeriac, Sorrel, Sunchoke, Malabar spinach, Amaranth, Cucamelon, Raspberry, Elderberry, Meyer lemon, Peach tree, Plum tree, Thai basil, Lemongrass, Stevia, Summer savory, Marjoram, Catnip, Chervil, Lovage, Garlic chives |
| Zone 3b | — | Garlic, Mâche, Tulip, Daffodil, Cereal rye | Tomato, Pepper, Eggplant, Zucchini / Summer squash, Winter squash, Pumpkin, Dry beans, Okra, Watermelon, Cantaloupe, Lettuce, Spinach, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Carrot, Beet, Radish, Peas, Swiss chard, Basil, Cannabis auto, Cilantro, Parsley, Arugula, Bok choy, Brussels sprouts, Collard greens, Kohlrabi, Mustard greens, Leeks, Parsnip, Rutabaga, Turnip, Celery, Scallions, Snap peas, Artichoke, Pole beans, Lima beans, Southern peas, Edamame, Tomatillo, Horseradish, Ground cherry, Honeydew, Strawberry, Chives, Oregano, Thyme, Sage, Rosemary, Mint, Lemon balm, Tarragon, Lavender, Borage, Cherry tomato, Hot pepper, Endive / escarole, Radicchio, Mizuna, Tatsoi, Napa cabbage, Daikon radish, Broccoli raab, Celeriac, Sorrel, Sunchoke, Malabar spinach, Amaranth, Popcorn, Cucamelon, Raspberry, Elderberry, Meyer lemon, Peach tree, Plum tree, Thai basil, Lemongrass, Stevia, Summer savory, Marjoram, Catnip, Chervil, Lovage, Garlic chives |
| Zone 4a | — | Garlic, Mâche, Tulip, Daffodil, Cereal rye | Tomato, Pepper, Eggplant, Zucchini / Summer squash, Winter squash, Pumpkin, Dry beans, Okra, Sweet potato, Watermelon, Cantaloupe, Lettuce, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Beet, Radish, Peas, Swiss chard, Basil, Cilantro, Parsley, Arugula, Bok choy, Brussels sprouts, Collard greens, Kohlrabi, Mustard greens, Leeks, Parsnip, Turnip, Celery, Scallions, Snap peas, Artichoke, Pole beans, Lima beans, Southern peas, Edamame, Tomatillo, Ground cherry, Honeydew, Strawberry, Chives, Oregano, Thyme, Sage, Rosemary, Mint, Lemon balm, Tarragon, Lavender, Borage, Cherry tomato, Hot pepper, Endive / escarole, Radicchio, Mizuna, Napa cabbage, Daikon radish, Broccoli raab, Celeriac, Sorrel, Malabar spinach, Amaranth, Popcorn, Cucamelon, Raspberry, Elderberry, Meyer lemon, Peach tree, Plum tree, Thai basil, Lemongrass, Stevia, Summer savory, Marjoram, Catnip, Chervil, Lovage, Garlic chives |
| Zone 4b | — | Radish, Garlic, Mâche, Tulip, Daffodil, Cereal rye, Hairy vetch | Tomato, Pepper, Eggplant, Zucchini / Summer squash, Winter squash, Pumpkin, Dry beans, Okra, Sweet potato, Watermelon, Cantaloupe, Lettuce, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Beet, Radish, Peas, Swiss chard, Basil, Cilantro, Parsley, Arugula, Bok choy, Brussels sprouts, Collard greens, Kohlrabi, Mustard greens, Leeks, Parsnip, Turnip, Celery, Scallions, Snap peas, Artichoke, Pole beans, Lima beans, Southern peas, Tomatillo, Ground cherry, Honeydew, Strawberry, Chives, Oregano, Thyme, Sage, Rosemary, Mint, Lemon balm, Fennel, Tarragon, Lavender, Borage, Cherry tomato, Hot pepper, Endive / escarole, Radicchio, Mizuna, Napa cabbage, Daikon radish, Broccoli raab, Celeriac, Sorrel, Malabar spinach, Amaranth, Peanuts, Popcorn, Cucamelon, Raspberry, Grape, Elderberry, Fig, Meyer lemon, Peach tree, Thai basil, Lemongrass, Stevia, Summer savory, Marjoram, Catnip, Chervil, Lovage, Garlic chives |
| Zone 5a | — | Spinach, Kale, Radish, Garlic, Collard greens, Mâche, Tatsoi, Tulip, Daffodil, Cereal rye, Hairy vetch, Austrian winter peas | Tomato, Pepper, Eggplant, Zucchini / Summer squash, Winter squash, Pumpkin, Dry beans, Okra, Sweet potato, Watermelon, Cantaloupe, Lettuce, Cauliflower, Radish, Peas, Swiss chard, Basil, Cilantro, Parsley, Arugula, Bok choy, Brussels sprouts, Kohlrabi, Leeks, Parsnip, Celery, Snap peas, Artichoke, Pole beans, Lima beans, Southern peas, Tomatillo, Ground cherry, Honeydew, Strawberry, Chives, Oregano, Thyme, Sage, Rosemary, Mint, Lemon balm, Fennel, Tarragon, Lavender, Borage, Cherry tomato, Hot pepper, Napa cabbage, Broccoli raab, Celeriac, Sorrel, Malabar spinach, Peanuts, Popcorn, Cucamelon, Raspberry, Grape, Elderberry, Fig, Meyer lemon, Apple tree, Peach tree, Thai basil, Lemongrass, Stevia, Summer savory, Marjoram, Catnip, Chervil, Lovage, Garlic chives |
| Zone 5b | — | Spinach, Kale, Radish, Arugula, Collard greens, Mustard greens, Mâche, Mizuna, Tatsoi, Tulip, Daffodil, Cereal rye, Hairy vetch, Austrian winter peas | Tomato, Pepper, Eggplant, Winter squash, Pumpkin, Dry beans, Okra, Sweet potato, Watermelon, Peas, Swiss chard, Basil, Cannabis auto, Parsley, Brussels sprouts, Leeks, Parsnip, Celery, Snap peas, Artichoke, Pole beans, Tomatillo, Ground cherry, Honeydew, Strawberry, Chives, Oregano, Thyme, Sage, Rosemary, Mint, Lemon balm, Tarragon, Lavender, Borage, Cherry tomato, Hot pepper, Celeriac, Sorrel, Malabar spinach, Peanuts, Popcorn, Cucamelon, Raspberry, Grape, Elderberry, Fig, Meyer lemon, Apple tree, Peach tree, Thai basil, Lemongrass, Stevia, Summer savory, Marjoram, Catnip, Lovage, Garlic chives |
| Zone 6a | — | Spinach, Kale, Radish, Arugula, Collard greens, Mustard greens, Turnip, Mâche, Mizuna, Tatsoi, Tulip, Daffodil, Cereal rye, Hairy vetch, Austrian winter peas | Tomato, Pepper, Eggplant, Pumpkin, Okra, Sweet potato, Swiss chard, Cannabis auto, Parsley, Leeks, Parsnip, Celery, Artichoke, Pole beans, Tomatillo, Ground cherry, Honeydew, Strawberry, Chives, Oregano, Thyme, Sage, Rosemary, Mint, Lemon balm, Tarragon, Cherry tomato, Hot pepper, Celeriac, Sorrel, Malabar spinach, Peanuts, Cucamelon, Raspberry, Grape, Fig, Meyer lemon, Apple tree, Pear tree, Thai basil, Lemongrass, Stevia, Marjoram, Catnip, Lovage, Garlic chives |
| Zone 6b | — | Lettuce, Spinach, Kale, Beet, Radish, Swiss chard, Cilantro, Arugula, Bok choy, Collard greens, Mustard greens, Turnip, Mizuna, Tatsoi, Broccoli raab, Daffodil, Pansy / viola, Crimson clover, Cereal rye, Hairy vetch, Austrian winter peas | Tomato, Pepper, Eggplant, Pumpkin, Okra, Swiss chard, Cannabis regular, Parsley, Leeks, Parsnip, Celery, Artichoke, Tomatillo, Ground cherry, Honeydew, Strawberry, Chives, Oregano, Thyme, Sage, Rosemary, Mint, Lemon balm, Tarragon, Cherry tomato, Hot pepper, Celeriac, Sorrel, Malabar spinach, Peanuts, Cucamelon, Raspberry, Grape, Fig, Apple tree, Pear tree, Thai basil, Lemongrass, Stevia, Marjoram, Catnip, Lovage, Garlic chives |
| Zone 7a | — | Lettuce, Spinach, Kale, Broccoli, Beet, Radish, Swiss chard, Cilantro, Arugula, Bok choy, Collard greens, Kohlrabi, Mustard greens, Turnip, Scallions, Calendula, Mizuna, Tatsoi, Daikon radish, Broccoli raab, Chervil, Pansy / viola, Crimson clover, Oats, Cereal rye, Hairy vetch, Austrian winter peas | Tomato, Pepper, Eggplant, Okra, Cannabis regular, Parsley, Leeks, Parsnip, Celery, Artichoke, Tomatillo, Strawberry, Chives, Oregano, Thyme, Sage, Rosemary, Mint, Lemon balm, Tarragon, Cherry tomato, Hot pepper, Celeriac, Sorrel, Malabar spinach, Peanuts, Cucamelon, Raspberry, Grape, Fig, Apple tree, Pear tree, Thai basil, Lemongrass, Stevia, Marjoram, Catnip, Lovage, Garlic chives |
| Zone 7b | — | Lettuce, Spinach, Kale, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrot, Beet, Radish, Swiss chard, Cilantro, Arugula, Bok choy, Collard greens, Kohlrabi, Mustard greens, Turnip, Scallions, Calendula, Mizuna, Tatsoi, Daikon radish, Broccoli raab, Chervil, Pansy / viola, Crimson clover, Oats, Hairy vetch, Austrian winter peas | Tomato, Pepper, Eggplant, Cannabis regular, Parsley, Leeks, Strawberry, Chives, Oregano, Thyme, Sage, Rosemary, Mint, Lemon balm, Cherry tomato, Hot pepper, Sorrel, Malabar spinach, Cucamelon, Grape, Fig, Apple tree, Pear tree, Thai basil, Lemongrass, Stevia, Marjoram, Catnip, Lovage, Garlic chives |
| Zone 8a | Kale | Lettuce, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Carrot, Beet, Peas, Swiss chard, Cilantro, Arugula, Bok choy, Collard greens, Kohlrabi, Mustard greens, Turnip, Scallions, Calendula, Mizuna, Tatsoi, Napa cabbage, Daikon radish, Broccoli raab, Chervil, Pansy / viola, Crimson clover, Oats, Hairy vetch, Austrian winter peas | Cannabis regular, Parsley, Chives, Oregano, Thyme, Sage, Rosemary, Mint, Lemon balm, Sorrel, Grape, Fig, Apple tree, Pear tree, Lemongrass, Stevia, Marjoram, Lovage, Garlic chives |
| Zone 8b | Kale, Collard greens | Lettuce, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Carrot, Beet, Peas, Swiss chard, Cilantro, Bok choy, Kohlrabi, Rutabaga, Turnip, Scallions, Snap peas, Calendula, Endive / escarole, Radicchio, Napa cabbage, Daikon radish, Broccoli raab, Chervil, Pansy / viola, Crimson clover, Oats | Cannabis regular, Chives, Oregano, Thyme, Sage, Rosemary, Lemon balm, Sorrel, Fig, Apple tree, Pear tree, Lovage, Garlic chives |
| Zone 9a | Kale, Collard greens | Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Carrot, Peas, Kohlrabi, Rutabaga, Scallions, Snap peas, Fennel, Calendula, Endive / escarole, Radicchio, Napa cabbage, Daikon radish, Chervil, Oats, White clover | Cannabis regular, Thyme, Sage, Rosemary, Pear tree |
| Zone 9b | Kale, Broccoli, Cabbage, Collard greens | Cauliflower, Peas, Cannabis auto, Rutabaga, Snap peas, Fennel, Endive / escarole, Radicchio, Napa cabbage, White clover | Pear tree |
| Zone 10a | Kale, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Collard greens, Radicchio, Napa cabbage | Cannabis auto, Rutabaga, Snap peas, Fennel, Endive / escarole, Radicchio, Napa cabbage, White clover | — |
| Zone 10b | Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Radicchio, Napa cabbage, Pansy / viola | Cannabis auto, Fennel, White clover | — |
These follow each zone's average frost dates, and include fall crops. Crops planted in fall for next year (garlic, spring bulbs) show under planting.
Tips for September
- Pick greens from the outside in. Take the outer leaves of lettuce, kale, chard, and collards, and leave the center to keep growing. One planting keeps giving for weeks.
- Cover plants on frosty nights. Throw row cover or an old sheet over tender plants in the evening, all the way to the ground, and take it off in the morning. Plastic touching the leaves doesn't help.
- Dig less, and add compost on top. Turning the soil every year breaks down its crumbly structure and brings buried weed seeds up to sprout. Spread compost on top instead, and let worms and roots mix it in.
- Freeze extra herbs in ice cube trays. Chop basil, parsley, or cilantro, pack it into ice cube trays, and top it off with olive oil or water. Pop out a cube or two for soups and sauces all winter.
For a garden in the middle of the country (around zone 6). Colder places run a few weeks behind, warmer ones ahead.