We can’t believe that summer is nearly over. And fall’s first overnight frost will be here before we know what happened! In the meantime, you still have time to plant an epic September garden with plenty of tasty veggies, fragrant herbs, and dazzling flowers.
And if you want to sow some seeds in September, you’re in the perfect spot. We compiled an epic list of the 24+ best crops for September sowing and growing.
Sound fun? Then, put on your September gardening gloves. And let’s get to work!
24 Best Crops To Plant In September For An Epic Fall Garden
You still have plenty of time to plant in September. But time is running out! Try some of these crops for your best chance of an epic late-season garden.
1. Mâche (Lamb’s Lettuce)
Imagine stepping into your garden and harvesting a fresh, tender salad green that thrives in the chill of fall. Mâche is your ticket. Its mild, nutty flavor makes it a superstar for late-season planting. It’s perfect for crisp autumn salads or a cozy winter soup.
- Mature Height: 4 to 6 inches.
- Days Until Maturity: 30 to 40 days.
- Sow Outdoors In Zones: 3 to 9.
- Care Requirements: Full sun to partial shade, well-draining soil, consistent moisture.
Vit is a highly cold-tolerant lamb’s lettuce variety perfect for fall planting. It can withstand frost and provide a tender, flavorful harvest.
2. Calendula
Bring a splash of sunshine to your fall garden with Calendula! These cheerful flowers brighten up gray days, and their petals are edible. They also add a lively touch to salads and soups. Plus, they’re hardy enough to bloom through a bit of chill, proving that beauty and resilience can go hand in hand.
- Mature Height: 6 to 12 inches.
- Days Until Maturity: 50 to 60 days.
- Sow Outdoors In Zones: 2 to 11.
- Care Requirements: Full sun, well-draining soil, regular watering.
Pacific Beauty and Indian Prince are robust cultivars that handle cooler temperatures well and will continue blooming into fall.
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3. Kale
Kale rocks for September growing. It’s rugged, nutritious, and ideal for tossing into hearty autumn soups or colorful September salads. Its flavor sweetens with a frost, so enjoying kale is even more delicious after the first chilly nights. It’s like nature’s way of giving you a tasty reward for gardening through the fall!
- Mature Height: 12 to 18 inches.
- Days Until Maturity: 50 to 65 days.
- Sow Outdoors In Zones: 3 to 10.
- Care Requirements: Full sun to partial shade, well-draining soil, consistent moisture.
Winterbor and Dinosaur (Lacinato) kale are exceptionally hardy and can withstand freezing temperatures, making them excellent choices for late-season sowing.
4. Spinach
Spinach in September is a last-minute ingredient for autumn salads and smoothies! This leafy green loves the cool weather and is perfect for a late fall harvest. It’s rich in iron and vitamins and not just good for you. It’s also easy to grow and can handle a bit of frost, making it a garden staple as the temperatures drop.
- Mature Height: 6 to 12 inches.
- Days Until Maturity: 30 to 45 days.
- Sow Outdoors In Zones: 2 to 9.
- Care Requirements: Full sun to partial shade, well-draining soil, consistent moisture.
Winter Bloomsdale and Giant Winter are known for their exceptional cold tolerance, making them suitable for fall planting and able to survive frost.
5. Arugula
Add a peppery punch to your autumn dishes with Arugula! This quick-growing green loves the cooler weather and is perfect for zesty salads or as an epic homemade pizza topper. Plus, it grows so fast that you’ll enjoy its bold flavors before you know it.
- Mature Height: 6 to 12 inches.
- Days Until Maturity: 20 to 30 days.
- Sow Outdoors In Zones: 4 to 9.
- Care Requirements: Full sun to partial shade, well-draining soil, consistent moisture.
Astro and Roquette arugula varieties are cold-hardy and mature quickly, making them ideal for fall sowing.
6. Turnips
Turnips are the garden’s secret September weapon for tasty, hearty meals in the cooler months. These versatile root vegetables are perfect for roasts, stews, and pickling. Their rapid growth, long shelf-life, and cold tolerance are like Mother Nature’s method of ensuring plenty of nutritious comfort food throughout the fall.
- Mature Height: 6 to 12 inches.
- Days Until Maturity: 30 to 60 days.
- Sow Outdoors In Zones: 2 to 9.
- Care Requirements: Full sun to partial shade, well-draining soil, consistent moisture.
Purple Top White Globe and Hakurei are hardy varieties that can mature quickly enough to handle cooler temperatures.
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7. Radishes
Radishes are your garden’s speedy little marvels! They sprout quickly and deliver a crunchy, peppery bite to salads and sandwiches. They’re frost-tolerant, perfect for late-season sowing, and an excellent choice for those who love instant garden gratification with a little dash of spice.
- Mature Height: 6 to 12 inches.
- Days Until Maturity: 20 to 30 days.
- Sow Outdoors In Zones: 2 to 9.
- Care Requirements: Full sun, well-draining soil, consistent moisture.
Daikon and Cherry Belle radishes are known for their cold tolerance and quick growth and are suitable for fall planting.
8. Garlic
Get ready to plant garlic and enjoy the anticipation of a bountiful harvest next summer! Garlic loves a chilly start and can handle the winter chill. The best part is that garlic has many hidden culinary benefits. And it’s the ultimate way to upgrade stews, sauces, and seafood bakes.
- Mature Height: 12 to 18 inches.
- Days Until Maturity: 240 to 270 days (planted in fall, harvested the following summer).
- Sow Outdoors In Zones: 3 to 9.
- Care Requirements: Full sun, well-draining soil, moderate watering.
Softneck Artichoke and Hardneck Rocambole are well-suited for fall planting and can handle winter conditions well.
9. Green Onions
Green onions quickly deliver fresh, zesty flavor to your fall dishes. They’re easy to grow, even in cooler weather, and you can start harvesting them quickly as soon as they’re big enough. They’re perfect for adding a low-effort flavor burst to soups, salads, and stir-fries.
- Mature Height: 12 to 18 inches.
- Days Until Maturity: 60 to 80 days.
- Sow Outdoors In Zones: 3 to 9.
- Care Requirements: Full sun, well-draining soil, consistent moisture.
Evergreen Hardy White and Tokyo Long White are cold-tolerant varieties that can thrive in fall and continue to grow in cooler temperatures.
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10. Cilantro
Cilantro adds a fresh flavor that can liven up any dish and is surprisingly cold-hardy. Though it might need extra protection from the frost, it’s well worth it for its vibrant taste in salsas and soups. Just imagine finishing off your fall cooking with a sprinkle of homegrown cilantro. It’s our favorite way to preserve summertime flavor in every autumn bite.
- Mature Height: 12 to 18 inches.
- Days Until Maturity: 30 to 45 days.
- Sow Outdoors In Zones: 3 to 11.
- Care Requirements: Full sun to partial shade, well-draining soil, consistent moisture.
Calypso and Santo cilantro varieties are more cold-tolerant and can handle light frosts. Harvest them before severe frost.
11. Beets
Beets are like your garden’s natural candy. Homegrown beets have a sweet, earthy flavor that deepens with the cooler weather. They’re fantastic roasted, pickled, or raw in salads. Plus, they’re tough enough to handle a bit of frost, so you can enjoy their vibrant color and taste long into the fall.
- Mature Height: 12 to 18 inches.
- Days Until Maturity: 50 to 70 days.
- Sow Outdoors In Zones: 2 to 9.
- Care Requirements: Full sun, well-draining soil, consistent moisture.
Detroit Dark Red and Golden Beet are cold-hardy varieties that can tolerate light frosts and mature relatively quickly.
12. Daffodils
Planting daffodils in September means setting up a brilliant spring show with cheerful blooms. These resilient bulbs effortlessly handle the winter chill. After the winter, they emerge. They then promise a burst of sunshine and color as soon as the first signs of spring appear.
- Mature Height: 6 to 18 inches.
- Days Until Maturity: 6 to 8 months (planted in fall, blooms in spring).
- Sow Outdoors In Zones: 3 to 8.
- Care Requirements: Full sun to partial shade, well-draining soil, moderate watering.
King Alfred and Tete-a-Tete are hardy and ideal for planting in fall to bloom in early spring.
13. Mustard Greens
Mustard greens bring a spicy kick to your fall harvest and are tough enough to withstand the chill. They grow extremely fast, so you’ll have a fresh, zesty meal addition. These greens are perfect for adding to soups or stir-fries, like a spicy little secret in your autumn garden.
- Mature Height: 12 to 18 inches.
- Days Until Maturity: 30 to 45 days.
- Sow Outdoors In Zones: 2 to 9.
- Care Requirements: Full sun to partial shade, well-draining soil, consistent moisture.
Red Giant and Mizuna are robust varieties remarkably tolerant of cold and frost.
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14. Tatsoi
Tatsoi is like a cozy blanket of leafy greens. It thrives in cool weather and offers a mild, spinach-like flavor for fall dishes. It’s incredibly cold-hardy and will grow well into the colder months. We love savoring its tender leaves in a warm, comforting soup. It’s garden comfort food at its finest!
- Mature Height: 6 to 12 inches.
- Days Until Maturity: 30 to 45 days.
- Sow Outdoors In Zones: 4 to 9.
- Care Requirements: Full sun to partial shade, well-draining soil, consistent moisture.
Tatsoi has a few cold-hardy cultivars (like giant and red) that can thrive in cooler weather and provide a tender, nutritious harvest.
15. Komatsuna
Komatsuna, or Japanese mustard spinach, is a garden gem that loves cooler temperatures. It’s perfect for a quick, nutritious harvest and adds a lovely, mild flavor to soups and stir-fries. Plus, it’s cold-tolerant, so you can enjoy fresh greens even as the weather turns crisp.
- Mature Height: 12 to 18 inches.
- Days Until Maturity: 30 to 40 days.
- Sow Outdoors In Zones: 4 to 9.
- Care Requirements: Full sun to partial shade, well-draining soil, consistent moisture.
Komatsuna tolerates frost well and is easily one of the most underrated fall crops.
16. Chives
Chives are the garden’s hardy little herb that delivers a nuanced onion flavor to your dishes even in cooler weather. Their toughness and resilience make them superb fall planting options. They’re perfect for sprinkling on soups or salads and offer a fresh flavor whenever you need it.
- Mature Height: 12 to 15 inches.
- Days Until Maturity: 60 to 90 days.
- Sow Outdoors In Zones: 3 to 9.
- Care Requirements: Full sun to partial shade, well-draining soil, consistent moisture.
Garlic Chives and Common Chives are hardy and can survive through the winter with minimal protection.
17. Shallots
Shallots are like the gourmet touch in your garden. They add a delicate, sweet flavor to your fall dishes. They’re also hardy and love a good winter chill. Plant them now, and look forward to a fantastic harvest just before the winter gets too frigid.
- Mature Height: 12 to 18 inches.
- Days Until Maturity: 90 to 120 days.
- Sow Outdoors In Zones: 3 to 8.
- Care Requirements: Full sun, well-draining soil, moderate watering.
Dutch Red and Giant Red are suitable for fall planting and can handle the cold well, leading to a productive harvest.
18. Parsley
Parsley is a garden favorite that can withstand the fall chill and keep you stocked with fresh herbs for cooking. It’s perfect for adding a fresh, vibrant touch to soups, stews, and salads. You can also offer it a little protection if the winter gets too cold, as it thrives even in winter greenhouse conditions.
- Mature Height: 12 to 18 inches.
- Days Until Maturity: 70 to 90 days.
- Sow Outdoors In Zones: 3 to 9.
- Care Requirements: Full sun to partial shade, well-draining soil, consistent moisture.
Winter and Champion are the most cold-tolerant parsley varieties that can survive frost and continue to grow into winter.
19. Pansies
Pansies are like little bursts of color in your fall garden. They deliver a cheerful note to the cooler months. Their vibrant flowers can handle the frost and brighten up any gray day. Their yummy, edible blooms add a decorative flair to salads, side dishes, and desserts.
- Mature Height: 6 to 9 inches.
- Days Until Maturity: 80 to 90 days.
- Sow Outdoors In Zones: 4 to 8.
- Care Requirements: Full sun to partial shade, well-draining soil, consistent moisture.
Matrix and Cool Wave varieties are particularly frost-resistant and will continue to bloom through the colder months.
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20. Turnip Greens
Turnip greens are perfect for adding hearty, nutritious greens to your fall meals. They’re cold-tolerant and can survive through frost. They’re one of our favorite ways to get a flavorful, peppery addition to fall dishes. Plus, you can usually harvest them within a month.
- Mature Height: 12 to 18 inches.
- Days Until Maturity: 30 to 45 days.
- Sow Outdoors In Zones: 2 to 9.
- Care Requirements: Full sun to partial shade, well-draining soil, consistent moisture.
Seven Top and Topper are robust cultivars that are very cold-tolerant and can be harvested even after frost.
21. Sorrel
Sorrel is like a tangy, refreshing burst in your fall garden. Their best benefit is a lemony zing that livens up any dish. Sorrel easily thrives in chilly September and October weather. You can savor its yummy flavor in soups, salads, and sauces well into the fall.
- Mature Height: 12 to 15 inches.
- Days Until Maturity: 50 to 60 days.
- Sow Outdoors In Zones: 3 to 8.
- Care Requirements: Full sun to partial shade, well-draining soil, consistent moisture.
French and Bloody Dock are hardy varieties of sorrel that can survive cold temperatures and continue to produce throughout the fall.
23. Bok Choy
Bok Choy is the perfect green for fall, offering a crisp texture and mild flavor that’s fantastic in stir-fries and soups. It thrives in cooler September temperatures, making it an ideal choice for a late-season harvest. Enjoy its crunchy leaves and tender stalks as a nutritious, versatile addition to your autumn meals.
- Mature Height: 12 to 18 inches.
- Days Until Maturity: 30 to 60 days.
- Sow Outdoors In Zones: 4 to 9.
- Care Requirements: Full sun to partial shade, well-draining soil, consistent moisture.
Tokyo Bekana and Baby Bok Choy are cold-hardy cultivars that tolerate cooler temperatures and frost.
24. Lettuce
Lettuce is like the ultimate fall salad green, offering a refreshing crunch and delicate flavor that brightens up any meal. Opt for hardy cultivars that can survive the chill and enjoy a garden-fresh salad even as the temperatures drop. It’s a delightful way to bring a taste of summer into the fall season.
- Mature Height: 6 to 12 inches.
- Days Until Maturity: 30 to 60 days (depending on variety).
- Sow Outdoors In Zones: 2 to 9.
- Care Requirements: Full sun to partial shade, well-draining soil, consistent moisture.
Winter Density and Salad Bowl are cold-tolerant lettuce varieties that can survive light frost and grow in the fall.
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Conclusion
Thanks for brainstorming the 24 best fall and September crops with us. We know the weather is getting cold. But the crops on this list are our best bet for a fruitful, fragrant, lovely fall garden.
What about you?
- Are you going to plant crops in September this year?
- What are your favorite plants for September gardens?
- Have you ever tried growing salad greens or microgreens in September?
- When do you usually have your first day of frost?
- Do you have any tips for late-season growing you can share?
We hope to hear from all September growers!
Thanks again for reading.
Have a great day!
