What to Plant in September
Richmond, VA · 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
Carrot
Garlic
Kale
Lettuce
Peas
Radish
Spinach
Swiss Chard
Turnip
Start Indoors 2
Start these seeds indoors under grow lights or on a sunny windowsill.
Lettuce
Aug 17 – Sep 15
4 per sq ft
45–60 days
Spinach
Sep 9 – Oct 8
9 per sq ft
35–50 days
Transplant 4
Move these seedlings from indoors to your garden beds.
Plant now
Parsley
Feb 15 – Sep 23
4 per sq ft
70–90 days
Kale
Feb 15 – Sep 23
1 per sq ft
50–65 days
Swiss Chard
Feb 15 – Sep 30
4 per sq ft
50–60 days
Later this month
Lettuce
Sep 16 – 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 – Sep 23
9 per sq ft
180–240 days
Beet
Feb 1 – Oct 8
9 per sq ft
50–70 days
Turnip
Feb 1 – Oct 23
9 per sq ft
30–60 days
Carrot
Feb 15 – Sep 8
16 per sq ft
70–80 days
Peas
Sep 9–30
8 per sq ft
55–70 days
Later this month
Cilantro
Sep 16 – Oct 23
9 per sq ft
30–45 days
Radish
Sep 16 – Oct 31
16 per sq ft
22–30 days
September Gardening Tips
- Start Lettuce, Spinach indoors now to give them a head start before transplanting outside.
- Lettuce, Kale, 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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