Enjoying a bumper harvest from your vegetable garden isn’t something reserved for the warm summer months. Hot, dry conditions promote bolting and bitterness in cool-season veggies. They’re more productive and flavorful in fall when temperatures are lower, moisture levels are higher, and there are fewer pests and weeds.
Make the most of your landscaping calendar by planting cool-season vegetables in September for a fall harvest, and follow our tips for producing the healthiest crops.
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6 Fall Vegetables to Plant in September
The best vegetables for harvesting in the shoulder season depend on your local climate and conditions, but a selection of root vegetables, brassicas, and leafy greens is typically the best choice. These colder-season crops often develop a fuller, sweeter flavor following exposure to light frosts.
Not sure where to start? Here are six vegetables worth planting in September for a fall harvest.
1. Beets
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Compact beets (Beta vulgaris) are adaptable, nutrient-packed root veggies ideal for yards with limited space. They do well in containers or raised beds and can handle light frosts in USDA plant hardiness zones 2 to 10. Beets mature in 50 to 60 days and grow best in partial shade and well-drained, evenly moist soils rich in organic matter. Sow seeds ½ inch deep and 1 inch apart, thinning to 2 to 3 inches apart as they germinate.
2. Broccoli
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Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) is cool-season brassica that grows in USDA hardiness zones 2 to 11. It takes 50 to 80 days to mature, depending on the variety and climate, and it can handle light frosts, making it perfect for planting in July, August or September for a fall harvest. This veggie appreciates a sunny location in well-drained soil enriched with organic matter. Plant the seeds ¼ to ½ inch deep and the thin seedlings to 12 to 18 inches apart in rows 2 to 3 feet apart.
3. Cauliflower
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Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea Grp. Botrytis) is another cool-season brassica that grows in USDA hardiness zones 2 to 11. However, it’s less frost tolerant and a little trickier to cultivate than broccoli. This veggie matures in 55 to 80 days (and makes a hearty addition to a fall stew) and appreciates a full sun position in highly fertile, well-draining, evenly moist soil. Space seedlings 12 to 24 inches apart in rows 2 to 3 feet apart.
4. Collards
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One of the hardiest cool-season vegetables is collard (Brassica oleracea Grp. Acephala), with some varieties growing in 0°F temperatures. They also harvest quickly (reaching maturity in 40 to 65 days), meaning you can plant these loose-leaf cooking greens later than many fall crops. Best grown in full sun, collards appreciate well-draining soil rich in organic matter and even moisture. Sow seeds ¼ to ½ inch deep and space seedlings 6 to 18 inches apart in rows 2 to 3 feet apart.
5. Leaf Lettuce
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Mildly sweet leaf lettuce (Lactuca sativa) is a popular fall vegetable that’s easy to grow in USDA hardiness zones 2 to 11. It matures quickly (within 40 to 60 days), and many varieties can handle light frosts. As with many cool-season crops, lettuce prefers a sunny spot in rich, well-drained soil. Frequent light watering encourages fast growth, but don’t let these greens sit in soggy soil, and avoid overhead watering to reduce the risk of foliage damage. It’s best to space lettuce seedlings 4 to 12 inches apart in rows 12 to 18 inches apart.
6. Radishes
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Radishes (Raphanus raphanistrum subsp. sativus) are the perfect versatile veggies to plant in early September for a fall harvest. They grow rapidly and are ready to harvest in 25 to 30 days. The long taproot can also help to reduce soil compaction, making them ideal companion plants for shallow-rooted fall veggies, like lettuce.
Winter radishes can grow in full sun or partial shade positions in USDA hardiness zones 2 to 11, and they appreciate fertile, loose, well-draining soil. Even moisture is essential for vigorous growth and maximum flavor. Sow seeds ½ to 1 inch deep and thin seedlings to 1 to 3 inches apart in rows 12 inches apart.
Tips for a Successful Fall Garden
These tips will help you maximize your fall harvest of cool-season vegetables.
- Know your first frost dates: Not all cool-season crops do well with light frosts. Knowing when the frosts (32°F or less) typically arrive in your area will help you plan what to plant and when for a fall harvest.
- Calculate planting dates: Start with the first frost date and deduct the number of days it takes to reach maturity to work out the last planting date for cool-season veggies. If the species can handle light frosts, be harvested quickly (like radishes), or be picked young (like lettuce), you might even be able to plant in mid-to late-September.
- Consider cultivars carefully: Picking particularly cold-hardy or rapidly maturing varieties can yield a larger fall vegetable harvest.
- Prep the soil: Turn the soil to loosen and aerate, mix in organic matter (like compost) for nutrients, and remove old roots and stems so you have a clear bed. If it’s been a hot summer, shade and water the soil for a couple of weeks before sowing to ensure it’s cool enough for successful germination.
- Stagger planting: For fast-growing veggies like radishes and lettuce, plant successively to get more than one fall harvest. If you have space, sow seeds one week apart in early September and, as the weather cools and growth rates slow, two weeks apart in late September.
- Protect against hard frosts: Extend your fall harvest by providing frost protection, such as a layer of insulating mulch, cloches, staked throw cloth covers (which you remove every morning once temperatures rise), or cold frames.
- Consider crop rotation: Don’t plant fall veggies from the same family in the same location every year. This can cause problems with diseases, common garden pests and soil nutrient deficiencies.
