Wait, Is It Too Late to Plant Vegetables in September?
I hear this question a lot. September is our transition into fall, the time when most people begin to anticipate the colder weather, pumpkin spiced lattes, and their plans for the upcoming holidays.
If, however, you ask experienced gardeners what they're looking forward to most about fall, they might tell you all of the plants they're excited to grow in their gardens.
Fall plants are some of the easiest to grow and provide prolific harvests in short amounts of time. The fall is when we get to grow leafy greens like lettuces and kale, herbs, and root crops likes carrots, radishes, beets, and even garlic and onions.
By September, there's already a faint chill up here in the Chicago area, but instead of yanking up all my plants and putting my garden in hibernation mode until March, this is one of my favorite times to garden.
Why?
This is when I get to turn entire beds over to lettuces and cabbage. This is when I get to grab my colander and come out to the garden every single day to harvest leaves for a garden-fresh gourmet salad.
So, no, it's not too late to plant vegetables in September, but where you're living and growing will determine which type of plants you can plant for optimal growing conditions. We'll explore which plants will be right for your area based on your growing season in a bit.
Can I Start a Garden in September?
Not only can you set your garden up in September, but September and October are actually ideal times to do so. If you wait until the spring, you'll have missed not one, but two full seasons of plants that you could have been enjoying fresh from your kitchen garden.
Whether you're about to enter a warm, cool, or cold season, there are still a ton of plants that you can plant, grow, harvest, and eat between now and when the big box stores start rolling out their spring gardening products.
Since spring is such a busy time for gardeners, it's also a good idea to reach out to a garden consultant or garden coach now if you're considering having someone help you set up your garden. My business in Houston, Rooted Garden, is inundated with people calling us in February, March, April, and even May, asking for us to design and install gardens in their outdoor spaces ASAP. Getting all that settled now means you won't be panicked later about having your bed installed in time to enjoy the beauty and fun of spring gardening.
After my family and I moved to Houston, we actually set up our raised beds in the month of September. That gave me a warm season in the fall and a cool season in the winter to learn about what grew best in our space before I got to enjoy a second warm season in the spring.
That's why I'd like to reframe the month of September. Instead of viewing it as too late to start a garden, think of it as getting a head start.
What Vegetables Can I Plant in September?
Plants can be picky. Each plant has particular needs and wants as far as when it will sprout and flourish, how much time it will take to complete its life cycle, and what temperature it will grow best in. The herbs, leafy greens, fruits, and vegetables that you can grow in September will depend on what your climate is like for the month and what growing season you're in.
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How to Know What to Plant in Your Climate in September
Determining your growing season and choosing plants that fit your season is the best way to keep those picky plants happy and find garden success.
Here's how to know what to plant in your climate:
Step One: Find Your High and Low Temperatures for September
Do a quick Google search or use a local weather website to find the average high temp and average low temp for September.
Step Two: Determine What Season You're In
I developed a kitchen garden season system over the years to give me more information about what I can grow when (as opposed to zones, which are too general to inform you what's really possible in your specific climate). Refer to the below temperature ranges to determine which season you're likely in for the month of September.
Cool Season
- Average high temperature between 35°F and 64°F
- Some chance of frost or snow
Warm Season
- Average high temperature between 65°F and 84°F
- No chance of frost
Hot Season
- Average high temperature of 85°F or above
- No chance of anything close to cold
Step Three: Choose Plants that Fit with Your Season
Each plant has a unique season of growth. I'll recommend plants for your growing season below.
Still have questions about your growing season? Search your town, city, or zip code in our Garden Consultant Directory and find the garden consultant nearest to you. I encourage gardeners of all levels to follow garden consultants and coaches on social media to see what they're growing and when. It's a great way to open your eyes to potential opportunities in your very own climate and location!
What Plants to Plant in September
Cool Season Plants
Kale
Cabbage
Collards
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Swiss Chard
Lettuce
Warm Season Plants
50-60 Day Cherry Tomatoes
Small Peppers
Basil
Oregano
Rosemary
Thyme
Sage
Cool Season Plants for September
If you're in a cooler climate like I am here in the Chicago area, you're about to be entering your second cool season of the year.
For me, that means growing short season plants before the cold season hits. Arugula and other small greens, plus root crops like 45-day radishes, are great to sow from seed now and harvest before frost comes. Some leafy greens like spinach are frost tolerant. My hardy kale will stay in the garden, weather permitting, into the spring and beyond.
As you can see, there are so many possibilities with greens in the cool season, even when you hit frost and cold. For a more thorough list of leafy greens you can grow in the cool season, explore the top ten salad greens to grow in the garden.
Cool Season Plant Tips
- Check out how to grow and harvest kale, plus what types of kale I recommend and how to handle a little pest pressure on your leaves.
- Here's how to maximize your cabbage production and encourage your cabbage to form a nice, tight head.
- Learn four tips to help you grow giant Swiss chard in your garden.
Warm Season Plants for September
If you're like my Rooted Garden clients in Houston, you're entering your second warm season of the year (before you'll have a cool season over the winter months). This is your time to grow vining tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and herbs galore—basically, many of the plants people think of when they picture a kitchen garden.
Warm Season Plant Tips
- Learn how to grow your indeterminate tomatoes up an arch trellis.
- Read more on how to grow one of my favorites, shishito peppers.
- Find out how to get as many leaves as possible from your basil plants.
What Seeds to Plant in September
Cool Season Seeds
Warm Season Seeds
More Questions about Gardening in September
What flowers can I plant in September?
If you're entering your warm season, I recommend nasturtiums, calendula, and marigolds. For cool season, I recommend petunias, pansies, and violas.
Are there fruits I can plant in September?
Planting blueberries now will allow the roots to get established for the spring. If you're entering warm season, my favorite fruit to grow would definitely be tomatoes.
What plants will grow fastest in September?
Lettuces and other leafy greens. Instead of having to wait 60 to 90 days to begin getting harvests from those plants, you're going to be harvesting as early as 30 to 45 days after you plant them! Also, look for varieties of squash, tomatoes, and cucumbers that finish in 60 days or less.
Start Your Garden this September
Have we convinced you yet?
There is so much more growing time throughout the year than most people realize, and September is one of the best months to plant or even to start your garden. With the temperatures cooling, it's easier for plants to get settled in the garden, and even in colder climates, you'll still have time to harvest at least one season's worth of crops.
As soon as you're ready to start planting or building, we're here to help. You can:
- Find a Garden Consultant near you in our Directory.
- Receive DIY help through our online video course program: Kitchen Garden Academy.
- Get started with our book, Kitchen Garden Revival.
Whatever you grow in the month of September, don't grow alone!
We're here to help you have confidence and find success in the garden every step of the way.
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