11 Fruits And Vegetables To Plant In September

If you've recently taken up gardening as a hobby, you might think that September is too late to put some roots in the ground. In reality, though, there are plenty of fruits and vegetables you can still plant in September for a fall garden harvest, or to set your garden up for success next spring. From hearty root vegetables like potatoes and garlic, to unexpected plants like strawberries and peas, there's so much that can be done in September if you know how to plan properly.

Depending on where you live, gardening in September can have many advantages, and not just for the plants. You'll work up less of a sweat when digging and transplanting during the cooler September days as well. So whether you're new to gardening or simply got a late start this season, all is not lost — there is still plenty of time to grow these fruits and vegetables.

Potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) are largely considered an easy, beginner-friendly option for your garden. The cool-season root vegetable is commonly planted in spring but, in the right climate, can be planted in the early fall as well. When planting in September, keep in mind that it may take longer to get to the harvest because there is less sun during the day.

Brussels sprouts (Brassica oleracea) are a tasty vegetable that will thrive in your winter garden, especially when started indoors and planted in September. Just keep in mind that brussels sprouts take a while to grow and will need roughly 100 days to produce a hearty crop. Raised beds are advised for fall or September planting because the temperatures are inconsistent. Whether you choose raised beds or the ground, be sure to select a site that gets full sun.

Suitable for USDA hardiness zones 3 through 10, blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum) will produce the most fruit when given access to full sun, but they will do fine in partial shade as well. Normally, blueberries are planted in the spring, but they can also be planted in September or even later in the fall, especially in zones 6 and above. You will find the most success when planting a baby blueberry bush roughly one to three years old.

If you're looking for a late fall or early winter harvest, spinach (Spinacia oleracea) is a great choice. The cool-weather crop can be planted in September and takes roughly six weeks to grow. You can harvest spinach a few leaves at a time once the plant has at least six good leaves. Alternatively, you can wait until your spinach is fully mature and harvest it all at once.

Planting broccoli (Brassica oleracea) in September will set you up for a delicious fall harvest. The crop prefers cool weather, full sun, and well-draining, well-fertilized soil. When planning for a fall harvest, it's best to transplant your broccoli rather than grow it from seed, as the weather at the tail end of summer can still be too hot. For planting, you will ideally wait until the transplants are four to six weeks old before you put them in the ground.

While peas (Pisum sativum) are typically thought of as a fresh, summery crop, they can also be sown in September in certain climates for overwintering. Ideally, the plant will grow about 1 foot tall before going dormant for the winter. If done correctly, the plant will produce vibrant greenery and pods come springtime. Make sure you pick a site that gets full sun and has well-draining soil.

Radishes (Raphanus sativus) are easy, fast-growing plants that can produce a satisfying harvest in just 30 days. Radish seeds can be sown in September, but it's best to wait until the temperature dips below 70 degrees Fahrenheit, as the warm weather can cause radishes to bolt. Because radishes grow quickly and don't take up much space, you can plant them just about anywhere — in between rows of other crops like carrots or parsnips, for example.

Garlic (Allium sativum) is a popular root vegetable that prefers cool weather and is typically planted in the fall for a spring harvest. In some regions, waiting until late September, after the autumn equinox, is strongly suggested as the best time for planting. While garlic is largely considered an easy-to-grow crop, if you know how to optimize your soil, you'll grow bigger and better garlic.

There are many different varieties of lettuce (Lactuca sativa), and many of the faster-growing options can be planted in September for a lush fall harvest. It is best practice to sow your lettuce seeds roughly six to eight weeks before the first fall frost, though certain varieties can tolerate mild frost. Growing lettuce in the cool fall often results in a sweeter vegetable.

Mustard greens (Brassica juncea) look quite similar to spinach but boast a less sweet, more peppery taste. Like spinach, mustard greens prefer cool weather and can be planted in September for a fall harvest. Just be sure to get them in the ground at least six weeks before the first fall frost. Your greens will do best when you mix in a little more compost or aged manure than you normally would.

When you think of strawberries (Fragaria × ananassa), warm summer days with beautiful bowls of fresh fruit likely come to mind. And it's true, strawberries are most commonly planted in the spring for a summer harvest. However, planting strawberries in September gives the roots plenty of time to establish themselves before developing fruit, which should lead to a better crop come spring harvest time.