What to Plant in September
Nashville, TN · Zone 7a
Last frost: Apr 1
Frost-free days: 214
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
Parsley
Beet
Broccoli
Cabbage
Carrot
Cauliflower
Garlic
Kale
Lettuce
Peas
Radish
Spinach
Swiss Chard
Turnip
Start Indoors 3
Start these seeds indoors under grow lights or on a sunny windowsill.
Swiss Chard
Jan 1 – Sep 8
4 per sq ft
50–60 days
Lettuce
Aug 24 – Sep 15
4 per sq ft
45–60 days
Spinach
Sep 9 – Oct 8
9 per sq ft
35–50 days
Transplant 7
Move these seedlings from indoors to your garden beds.
Plant now
Parsley
Feb 1 – Sep 23
4 per sq ft
70–90 days
Swiss Chard
Feb 1 – Oct 8
4 per sq ft
50–60 days
Kale
Feb 8 – Sep 30
1 per sq ft
50–65 days
Broccoli
Sep 1–15
1 per sq ft
60–100 days
Cabbage
Sep 1–15
1 per sq ft
70–100 days
Cauliflower
Sep 1–15
1 per sq ft
55–100 days
Later this month
Lettuce
Sep 24 – Oct 16
4 per sq ft
45–60 days
Direct Sow 7
Plant these seeds directly into the soil outdoors.
Plant now
Garlic
Jan 1 – Oct 8
9 per sq ft
180–240 days
Beet
Jan 24 – Oct 8
9 per sq ft
50–70 days
Turnip
Feb 1 – Nov 8
9 per sq ft
30–60 days
Carrot
Feb 15 – Sep 30
16 per sq ft
70–80 days
Peas
Sep 9 – Oct 8
8 per sq ft
55–70 days
Later this month
Cilantro
Sep 24 – Oct 23
9 per sq ft
30–45 days
Radish
Sep 24 – Oct 31
16 per sq ft
22–30 days
September Gardening Tips
- Start Lettuce, Spinach, Swiss Chard indoors now to give them a head start before transplanting outside.
- Lettuce, Broccoli, Cabbage 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.
Nearby Cities
Ready to plan your garden?
Add these crops to your garden plan and get personalized planting reminders for Zone 7a.
Start Planning Free