September is a time of the year when gardens are bursting with late-blooming vegetables.
It is also a time of plentiful fruit harvests.
Many gardeners are winding down their plating regiments by the time September shows up.
But, most of us are just beginning our fall and early winter planting.
In this article, we discuss the best plants to put in the ground (or containers) during the month of September.
Table of Contents
What to Plant in September?
Leafy greens like lettuce and spinach, root vegetables like radishes and turnips, and flowers like daffodils and crocus are perfect for planting in September.
Best Vegetables to Plant in September
Collard greens
Planting collard greens in September is a great way to make sure you have plenty of green to harvest throughout the fall.
Plant collard greens roughly two feet apart at a depth of a quarter to half an inch in the soil.
For the best results, prep the ground with compost before planting.
Garlic
Though many gardeners don’t think of it, garlic is actually an excellent choice to plant in September. If planted in the late summer or fall, garlic will grow the following spring.
To plant garlic, prepare holes at least two inches deep and plant cloves with their roots down. You need at least six inches or more of space between each hole.
Lettuce
Depending on the climate zone you reside and garden in, lettuce is a good crop to plant anytime. That includes the month of September.
Prepare quarter-inch deep rows in your garden and plant seeds every 12 to 18 inches. That way there’s plenty of room to thin out the extras and replant them in the same rows.
Likewise, leave a foot or two between each row.
Mustard greens
These leaf greens, like lettuce, are also an excellent choice for September planting. Further, follow the same directions for planting lettuce (listed above).
Planting mustard greens in September ensures you have a nice harvest during the early autumn as they are fast-growers.
Peas
Another green crop to plant in September is peas. These little guys need planting approximately an inch deep.
But, if you’re planting in dry soil with low water retention, opt for planting them an extra half inch down.
Also, for the quickest germination time possible, consider soaking your peas overnight before planting them in the ground.
Radishes
If you love radishes, September is as good a time as any for planting another round of them.
Most radish growers have already grown a crop or two earlier on in the year, but there is still plenty of time to grow radishes from late summer to early autumn.
Plant your radishes in small trenches that measure a half-inch to a full inch in depth. Dig each trench approximately a foot apart.
Spinach
Aside from collard green, and lettuce, spinach is another great leafy green vegetable for planting in the month of September.
The plants require around a foot between each other and prefer quick-draining soil. If possible spike your soil with some rich compost before sticking the seeds in the ground.
Turnips
These little root vegetables are another good species for September. They require very little space between each other, but the rows should have a spacing of about 10 to 12 inches.
Turnips are really easy to grow, and seeds can even be scattered around and covered with a bit of dirt (around half an inch).
Extra plants should be weeded out. Don’t waste your time trying to replant them because they don’t transplant well.
Best Herbs to Plant in September
Chives
One of the best herbs to put into the earth during September is chives, a cousin to onions. Find a space in your garden that drains well and receives plenty of sunlight and plant them.
Make sure to give each hole of seeds about ten inches of space. If you have compost on hand, go ahead and use some in and around the holes before planting.
Cilantro
This lush green herb is another excellent herb for planting once the summer heatwave passes.
But, before plating, it is highly suggested to spruce up your soil with some compost or plenty of organic material.
Plant cilantro no more than a quarter-inch deep and space each seed grouping around six to eight inches apart. Cilantro also grows very well in pots, window boxes, and raised beds.
Lavender
One of the most beautiful herbs there is, Lavender is a great choice for September planting sessions. The best part? It’s super easy to plant and grow.
Simply remove weeds from the ground, rake earth into mounds between six and ten inches tall, and stick the seeds or transplants in.
Lavender like growing in mounds because it keeps their roots from getting too wet (which they do not enjoy at all).
Mint
Although mint is an ideal plant for September, it is best planted in pots or individual containers. The reason it does better separated from the rest of the garden is that it is easily choked out by other plants.
However, once mint is well developed, it does extremely well and may even take over an entire flower bed for years to come.
Parsley
If you don’t already have parsley growing in your garden by September you still have time to get some in.
It is one of the fastest-growing herbs and will continue to provide you with fresh herbs for a couple more months depending on your climate zone.
Place parsley seeds in well-prepared soil roughly six to eight inches apart. Make sure you plant them somewhere that gets full sun, or close to it.
Also, don’t be shy with the watering can.
Rosemary
If you’re thinking about growing a few rosemary plants (which are really bushes, to be honest), September is a great time for it.
First, prepare the soil with several inches of compost or fertilizer.
Plant your rosemary with at least two or three feet of space in between each site. They will need plenty of room once they start to thicken. Rosemary can grow several feet tall and wide.
Thyme
This popular herb is usually started much earlier in the year, but depending on the climate zone you may be able to get away with planting it in September.
That said, it is a very picky plant and requires full sun as well as a pH level of around 7.0. That means you have to prepare the ground (or containers) with fertilizer before planting.
Sage
From seeds, sage should be started a couple of weeks earlier than when you plan to plant them. That said, sage is much easier to grow if you start with actual plants.
Either way, you decide to go, once you have small sage plants ready for planting, select a location that gets full sun.
The grow site will also need to be well-draining or the sage will die rather than thrive.
Best Flowers to Plant in September
Crocus
Not only are these colorful flowers a great addition to your September planting routine, but they are super simple to plant and care for.
Plant them practically anywhere in your yard or garden that receives sunlight.
Make holes just two to three inches deep and drop the bulbs in. Cover them up with soil, water them often for the first couple of weeks, and then leave them to do their thing.
Daffodils
Another type of flower that is great to plant during this time of the year is daffodils. Like with crocus, they will grow just about anywhere that gets partial to full sun.
Plant daffodil bulbs directly in the ground, in flower beds, or containers. For full-size flowers, plant the bulbs twice as deep as they measure in size.
If you want mini daffodils, plant them twice as deep as that.
Common September Gardening Chores
- Replace leafy veggies and root vegetables (such as lettuce, spinach, and radishes)
- Harvest ripe fruits and vegetables (like carrots, potatoes, grapes, and apples)
- Support plants that are becoming heavier (like pumpkins)
- Plant crops for the fall (and possibly even some winter crops)
- Plan your fall and winter garden
- Consider DIY projects such as a compost bin or hothouse
Frequently Asked Questions About Planting in September
Is September too hot for planting a garden?
Depending on what climate zone you live in, September is typically much cooler than the previous couple of months. It is also warmer than the following months. This makes it a perfect time to get in some planting before the autumn and winter growing seasons roll in.
What types of plants are best for September?
The most successful plants for September are leafy vegetables, root vegetables, late summer and early autumn flowers, and a handful of hardy herbs. Trees are also a great option for planting during this time of the year.
Is September good for fruit planting trees?
September is a great time to plant fruit trees, but only if it has begun to cool down for the year. Also, the trees should be in the dormant phase before being planted during this time of the year. New growth occurs the following spring.
Daniel has been a plant enthusiast for over 20 years. He owns hundreds of houseplants and prepares for the chili growing seasons yearly with great anticipation. His favorite plants are plant species in the Araceae family, such as Monstera, Philodendron, and Anthurium. He also loves gardening and is growing hot peppers, tomatoes, and many more vegetables.