As summer fades and the school year begins, your garden still has plenty to offer this September. Fall is not just an ideal time to plant trees and shrubs—many flowers, vegetables, and herbs thrive in the cooler temperatures. Whether you’re looking to enjoy fresh vegetables throughout the winter or want to prepare for spring blooms, planting in September can transform your yard.
What to Plant in September
While autumn is fast approaching, many parts of the country continue to enjoy warm weather that makes gardening both productive and enjoyable. September is perfect for planting vegetables and annual flowers, as well as adding ornamental perennials like Helleborus, flowering quince, camellia, or forsythia to your landscape.
Flowers to Plant in September
Zinnias and mums can still be planted for a burst of color that will last until the first frost. Pansies, known for their extended blooming season, can flower throughout winter with little maintenance. Flowering perennials like peonies and asters, when planted in September, will establish themselves in time to reward you with blooms for many years to come. Depending on your location and the type of flower, you may need to add a layer of mulch to protect your plants from the elements and keep weeds at bay.
Vegetables to Plant in September
September is a crucial harvesting month, but it’s also the time to start planting crops for winter and early spring harvests. Vegetables like Brussels sprouts thrive in cooler weather. For less hardy crops, a cold-frame greenhouse can help seedlings grow strong enough to survive the winter before planting them outdoors.
Many regions can still safely plant spinach, kale, and other salad greens for fresh additions to winter meals. To enjoy spring harvests, plant radishes and scallions now, and for a summer harvest, consider garlic and longer-growing vegetables like more spinach.
Herbs also thrive in September. Cilantro, which often bolts in warmer weather, does well in cooler temperatures, while rosemary is hardy enough to continue growing through mild winters. Perennial herbs like chives, thyme, lemon balm, and sage also do well in many regions when planted in containers this time of year.
Bulbs to Plant in September
If you’re dreaming of daffodils in the spring, now is the time to plant bulbs. Fall is perfect for planting tulips, crocuses, hyacinth, and daffodils, allowing them to develop a strong root system before winter frosts arrive.
A good planting rule for bulbs is to dig a hole two to three times deeper than the bulb’s height. Make sure to plant them root-side down in sunny areas. To protect bulbs from squirrels or pests, you can spread mulch or lay chicken wire over the planting area.