What to Plant in September

Louisville, KY · Zone 6b

Last frost: Apr 10 Frost-free days: 198

The first frost is approaching. Finish up fall plantings and protect tender crops. Garlic goes in the ground this month or next. Harvest and preserve summer bounty.

September at a Glance

Indoor Transplant Direct Sow
1 5 10 15 20 25
Cilantro
Beet
Garlic
Kale
Peas
Radish
Swiss Chard
Turnip

Transplant 2

Move these seedlings from indoors to your garden beds.

Kale
Kale
Mar 1 – Sep 15
1 per sq ft 50–65 days
Swiss Chard
Swiss Chard
Mar 1 – Sep 23
4 per sq ft 50–60 days

Direct Sow 6

Plant these seeds directly into the soil outdoors.

Plant now

Garlic
Garlic
Jan 1 – Sep 8
9 per sq ft 180–240 days
Beet
Beet
Feb 15 – Sep 30
9 per sq ft 50–70 days
Turnip
Turnip
Feb 15 – Oct 16
9 per sq ft 30–60 days
Peas
Peas
Sep 1–23
8 per sq ft 55–70 days

Later this month

Cilantro
Cilantro
Sep 24 – Oct 8
9 per sq ft 30–45 days
Radish
Radish
Sep 24 – Oct 16
16 per sq ft 22–30 days

September Gardening Tips

  • Kale, Swiss Chard can be transplanted outside this month. Harden off seedlings over 5–7 days before planting out.
  • Direct sow Peas, Garlic, Beet straight into the garden — no transplanting needed.
  • Protect tender crops from early frost with row cover — this can extend your season by several weeks.

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