What to Plant in September: A Monthly Planting Guide

Even as the summer's heat fades, I still love being outside in the garden! The weather feels like a kiss from heaven right now, and there is still so much that can be grown! As a matter of fact, early September may be the perfect time for starting a fall garden. 

If you still want to be productive by planting vegetable seed now, here’s a list of what to plant in September so you can get a harvest before that first frost comes. Plus, I’m sharing some must-know information about your growing zone!

Missed Opportunities

The fall garden is often the forgotten treasure of the home garden. It is easily skipped over, especially by beginners who are just starting vegetable gardening.

I am excited to share what I have learned about fall gardening so you won’t miss any opportunities to grow bigger.

Understanding Your Growing Zone

I have heard a lot of misinformation about growing zones. When it comes to understanding growing zones (and hardiness zone maps), you need to know that your zone pertains to the average lowest temperature in your area during winter over a 10-year rolling cycle, and a crop's survivability at those temperatures-which only impacts perennials!

Many people are surprised to learn that growing zones don’t have a bearing on when you can plant annuals (like peas, cabbage, lettuce, spinach, tomatoes and peppers). The information you need to know for planting annuals in the fall is your area’s first estimated fall frost date!

My growing season here in Michigan typically ends with the first frost around October 20 to 25th. Knowing that information, count backwards from your first frost date to today’s date to determine how many days are left in your growing season. Then, look at what you can grow in that number of days.

What to Plant in September

Start thinking about some early maturing crops you can still plant within your frost-free days, but prepare for anything. You could have an early winter or a fall season that is longer and warmer than normal.

We don’t have a crystal ball and don’t know what the weather will hold. I throw various seeds in the ground just in case I have an extended growing season, a normal season, or an early frost. That way, I’ll have options and get a harvest no matter what the weather does.

Here are some recommendations to consider:

• Zucchini - Dare I say, I actually prefer to grow zucchini in the fall! There is less pest pressure, and I often get far greater zucchini production in the fall months. I may compete with powdery mildew, but as long as I am using a fungicide, like Copper Fungicide Concentrate, it isn’t a problem.

• Lettuce - I rely heavily on a fall planting of lettuce. I am densely seeding Crisp Mint Romaine, Ruby Red Leaf Lettuce, and Cimmaron Lettuce for cut-and-come-again harvesting. Any of the red varieties of lettuce will be heat-tolerant as long as it stays 70° to 75°F or below.

• Endive - Endive is one of my all-time favorite leafy greens to grow! It can get a little bitter when it gets hot, but planting in the fall makes it much less so.

• Mustard Greens - I love growing mustard greens! They can get super peppery and hot in the summer heat, so fall is the perfect time to plant them.

• Beans - I throw beans in the fall garden because they only take about 50 to 55 days to mature. Even if they don’t produce a harvest, beans are still a good cover crop because they fix nitrogen into the soil!

• Cucumbers - I like to always fill up open space in my garden beds and cucumbers can be a phenomenal crop to plant in those spaces. They only take about 55 to 60 days to mature, and you can eat the cucumber fruits at any stage if the threat of frost forces you to harvest.

• Cabbage - Pak Choi White Stem Cabbage is my all-time favorite cabbage variety to grow in the fall! It is incredibly sweet, tender, and moisture-rich, plus it can be harvested at any stage, even when it is small. Copenhagen Market Cabbage is another great choice for the fall garden.

• Broccoli - Spring Rapini is a MIgardener favorite variety because it is cold-tolerant and the whole plant is edible, allowing for far more productivity in small spaces.

• Carrots - Carrot farms will hate me for sharing the pros’ secrets to perfect carrots, but I still let everyone know the best technique for growing big, straight carrots every single time! Use this guide to grow amazing carrots.

• Dill - I can’t think of a better fall crop to grow! Dill grows so fast, and the cooler weather will help it go to seed slower, giving you more time to harvest the beautiful fronds!

• Kale - Fall plantings of kale often last through the fall and into winter, and sometimes even into spring!

• Peas - Peas, like these Mammoth Melting Snow Peas, tend to sprawl and need some trellising. After I harvest the crops currently growing there, I’m going to plant them next to my vegetable trellis netting.

• Radishes - I have sown radish seeds anytime from mid-September into October. I am planting them now in case of cooler weather, and will likely grow another succession planting of radishes this year. They only take about 25 to 35 days to fully mature.

The Best Time to Plant Garlic

Depending on where you live, September is usually too early to plant garlic, and you do not want to plant garlic too early! Wait to plant garlic until 20-30 days before your first frost in the fall.

If you plant too soon, the garlic will begin to grow in the fall, which puts stress on the plant and leads to poor results. Any later and the garlic won’t have enough time to get established, meaning you lose valuable growing time in the spring.

While September may not be a good time for you to plant garlic, it is the perfect time to buy it. Check out the MIgardener store now to secure your favorite garlic varieties before they are gone, or join the waitlist to be the first to know when garlic is back in stock.

Read these blog posts: How to Grow Garlic, Types of Garlic, and When to Harvest Garlic & Garlic Scapes to learn everything you need to know about growing garlic. Don’t miss out on growing delicious garlic at home!

September Flower Planting

Fall is the best time to plant flowering bulbs that will bloom in the spring, adding vibrance and life to your garden. MIgardener sells a collection of stunning bulb flowers you won’t want to miss!

The free MIgardener’s Fall Bulb Planting Guide walks you through growing bulbs—from bold garlic and quirky Egyptian walking onions to show-stopping alliums, daffodils, crocus, hyacinths, and tulips. With climate-specific timing, easy planting tips, and care tricks, you’ll set the stage for a spring bursting with flavor and color!

Garden Success Beyond September

I hope you use this guide to learn something new and grow BIGGER! If this blog post was helpful to you, check out the rest of the monthly planting guides in this series:

• Winter Sowing

• What to Plant in February

• What to Plant in March

• What to Plant in April

• What to Plant in May

• What to Plant in June

• What to Plant in July

• What to Plant in August

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