What to Plant in September: 10 Crops for a Fall Harvest

If you think September means your gardening season is over, think again.

September can actually be one of the best times to plant a fresh round of cool-season crops, especially if you are trying to extend your harvest into fall. As summer vegetables begin slowing down, you can use those newly opened garden spaces for leafy greens, herbs, root crops, and other vegetables that prefer cooler temperatures.

You can also use early fall to start thinking beyond annual vegetables. September is a great time in many climates to establish berries and fruit trees while the soil is still warm but the hottest summer weather has passed.

Here are some of the best things to plant in September for a productive fall garden.

Leafy Greens to Plant in September

Lettuce

Lettuce is one of the easiest crops to grow in a fall garden because it prefers cooler weather.

You can plant leaf lettuce, romaine, butterhead, or mixed salad greens. Many varieties mature quickly, and you can often harvest the larger outside leaves while allowing the center of the plant to keep growing.

For an even longer harvest, sow a small amount of lettuce every one to two weeks instead of planting everything at once.

Spinach

Spinach can be difficult to grow in hot summer weather because it tends to bolt quickly, but fall is a completely different story.

Cooler temperatures are much better for spinach, and established plants can tolerate surprisingly chilly conditions.

Direct sow spinach into the garden in early September if possible so it has time to establish before the days become much shorter.

Kale

Kale is one of the most dependable vegetables for a cool-season garden.

It handles cold temperatures extremely well, and cooler weather can actually improve the flavor of the leaves.

Rather than harvesting the whole plant, remove the larger outside leaves and allow the center to continue producing.

Arugula

Arugula is another great option for filling empty spaces in the garden.

It grows quickly, takes up very little room, and prefers cooler temperatures.

If a summer crop like zucchini, cucumbers, or beans has finished producing, arugula is an easy crop to sow directly into that open area.

Herbs to Plant in September

Cilantro

If your cilantro struggled during summer, the heat may have been the problem.

Cilantro prefers cooler temperatures and tends to bolt very quickly when it gets hot.

September is a great time to sow cilantro directly in the garden. You can also plant a small batch every couple of weeks to keep fresh cilantro coming throughout fall.

Dill

Dill is another herb that does well as temperatures cool.

It is easy to direct sow, and it is especially useful if you are still harvesting cucumbers or making homemade pickles from your late summer garden.

If you allow some dill plants to flower, they can also attract beneficial insects.

Other Crops to Plant in September

Carrots

Carrots are a great cool-weather crop, but timing matters because they take longer to mature than most leafy greens.

If you are planting carrots in September, try to get them started toward the beginning of the month.

The most important part of growing carrots from seed is keeping the soil consistently moist while they germinate. Carrot seeds are planted very shallowly, so the surface can dry out quickly.

Beets

Beets are another great fall root crop.

One of the benefits of growing beets is that both the roots and the greens are edible. Young beet leaves can be added to salads or cooked similarly to spinach.

Planting in early September gives the roots more time to size up before colder weather arrives.

Green Onions

Green onions are perfect for squeezing into small spaces.

They do not need much room, and they can easily be planted along the edges of garden beds or between other crops.

You can harvest them young as scallions instead of waiting for them to form full-sized bulbs.

September Is Also a Great Time to Plant Berries

Fall is not just for vegetables.

September can also be an excellent time to establish perennial food crops because cooler weather puts less stress on new plants while the soil is still warm enough for roots to grow.

Strawberries

Strawberries can be planted in early fall in many climates.

The goal is not necessarily to get a harvest immediately. Instead, you are giving the plants time to establish their roots before winter so they can start the next growing season stronger.

In Zone 7, September into early fall can be a great planting window.

Raspberries and Blackberries

Raspberries and blackberries can also be planted in fall.

Choose a permanent location with plenty of sunlight and good drainage because these plants can spread and may eventually need support.

Planting in cooler weather also means the plants do not have to deal with the stress of establishing roots during peak summer heat.

Blueberries

Blueberries are another perennial fruit you may be able to plant in early fall.

However, blueberries have very specific soil requirements. They prefer acidic soil, so it is worth testing and preparing the planting area before putting them in the ground.

Planting Fruit Trees in September

Early fall can also be a great time to plant fruit trees.

For many Zone 7 gardens, September through October gives newly planted trees time to begin establishing roots before winter dormancy.

Aim to plant several weeks before the ground is expected to freeze.

Apple Trees

Apple trees are a great option for fall planting.

Before choosing a variety, check the pollination requirements. Many apples produce better when another compatible apple or crabapple tree is growing nearby.

Pear Trees

Pear trees can also be planted in fall.

Like apples, many pear varieties benefit from cross-pollination, so it is important to choose compatible varieties if you want the best fruit production.

Plum Trees

Plums are another good fruit tree to consider.

Some plum varieties are self-fertile while others require a second compatible variety nearby, so always check before planting.

Peach and Nectarine Trees

Peaches and nectarines may also be planted during cooler fall weather in areas with relatively mild winters.

If you live somewhere with very severe winter conditions or are planting very late in fall, spring planting may be the safer choice.

When Should You Plant Berries and Fruit Trees?

A good general rule is to plant after the hottest part of summer has passed but while the soil is still workable and warm.

For many Zone 7 gardens, September through October is a good window.

Try to give new plants around four to six weeks to begin establishing roots before the ground freezes.

Newly planted trees and berry bushes also need consistent watering.

Cooler weather does not mean the soil cannot dry out, so continue watering during dry fall periods until the plants go dormant.

Don’t Rip Out Your Entire Summer Garden

Starting a fall garden does not mean you need to remove everything you planted during summer.

Instead, transition the garden gradually.

If your tomatoes and peppers are still producing, leave them alone.

When a cucumber, squash, bean, or another summer crop is completely finished, remove that plant and use the open space for a fall crop.

This allows you to keep harvesting summer vegetables while your fall garden begins growing at the same time.

Know Your First Frost Date

Your growing zone is helpful, but your average first frost date is even more important when deciding what to plant in September.

Check the days to maturity listed on your seed packet and compare that number with the amount of time you have until your average first frost.

If a crop takes around 30 days to mature and you still have 50 or 60 days before frost, you have a much better chance of getting a harvest.

Keep in mind that plants also grow more slowly as the days become shorter, so giving yourself some extra time is always a good idea.

Use Succession Planting for a Longer Harvest

For fast-growing crops like lettuce, spinach, arugula, and cilantro, you do not have to plant everything at once.

Plant a small batch and then sow another batch one or two weeks later.

This is called succession planting, and it helps spread out your harvest instead of having everything mature at the same time.

Keep Growing Into Fall

September does not have to mean the end of the garden.

It can be the beginning of a completely new growing season.

You can plant leafy greens, cool-weather herbs, root vegetables, peas, berries, and even fruit trees.

The key is choosing crops that fit the amount of growing time you have left and starting them early enough to become established before winter.

You do not have to plant everything on this list.

Choose a few crops that make sense for your garden, use the spaces opening up as summer plants finish, and keep growing.

If you want to see exactly what I am planting and doing in the garden each month, you can also watch my 10 Crops to Plant in September for a Fall Harvest video on The Garden Next Door.