What to Plant in September

Memphis, TN · Zone 7b

Last frost: Mar 20 Frost-free days: 235

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
Parsley
Beet
Brussels Sprouts
Carrot
Cauliflower
Garlic
Kale
Lettuce
Peas
Spinach
Swiss Chard
Turnip

Start Indoors 4

Start these seeds indoors under grow lights or on a sunny windowsill.

Plant now

Swiss Chard
Swiss Chard
Jul 9 – Sep 15
4 per sq ft 50–60 days
Lettuce
Lettuce
Sep 1–30
4 per sq ft 45–60 days
Spinach
Spinach
Sep 9 – Oct 16
9 per sq ft 35–50 days

Later this month

Brussels Sprouts
Brussels Sprouts
Sep 24 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft 80–110 days

Transplant 4

Move these seedlings from indoors to your garden beds.

Plant now

Parsley
Parsley
Aug 9 – Sep 30
4 per sq ft 70–90 days
Kale
Kale
Aug 9 – Oct 8
1 per sq ft 50–65 days
Swiss Chard
Swiss Chard
Aug 9 – Oct 16
4 per sq ft 50–60 days

Later this month

Cauliflower
Cauliflower
Sep 24 – Oct 8
1 per sq ft 55–100 days

Direct Sow 5

Plant these seeds directly into the soil outdoors.

Plant now

Garlic
Garlic
Jan 1 – Oct 16
9 per sq ft 180–240 days
Carrot
Carrot
Jul 17 – Sep 30
16 per sq ft 70–80 days
Beet
Beet
Aug 9 – Dec 31
9 per sq ft 50–70 days
Turnip
Turnip
Aug 9 – Dec 31
9 per sq ft 30–60 days

Later this month

Peas
Peas
Sep 24 – Oct 23
8 per sq ft 55–70 days

September Gardening Tips

  • Start Lettuce, Spinach, Swiss Chard indoors now to give them a head start before transplanting outside.
  • Kale, Cauliflower, Parsley can be transplanted outside this month. Harden off seedlings over 5–7 days before planting out.
  • Direct sow Carrot, Peas, Garlic 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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