What to Plant in September

Seattle, WA · Zone 8b

Last frost: Mar 8 Frost-free days: 257

The fall growing season is in full swing. Transplant brassicas and direct sow greens, root vegetables, and herbs that thrive in cooler temperatures.

September at a Glance

Indoor Transplant Direct Sow
1 5 10 15 20 25
Chives
Cilantro
Mint
Parsley
Beet
Garlic
Lettuce
Peas
Radish
Spinach
Strawberry
Swiss Chard
Turnip

Start Indoors 4

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

Chives
Chives
Jan 1 – Dec 31
9 per sq ft 60–90 days
Mint
Mint
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft 60–90 days
Strawberry
Strawberry
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft 60–90 days
Spinach
Spinach
Aug 1 – Sep 30
9 per sq ft 35–50 days

Transplant 7

Move these seedlings from indoors to your garden beds.

Chives
Chives
Jan 1 – Dec 31
9 per sq ft 60–90 days
Mint
Mint
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft 60–90 days
Strawberry
Strawberry
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft 60–90 days
Parsley
Parsley
Feb 15 – Sep 8
4 per sq ft 70–90 days
Lettuce
Lettuce
Feb 15 – Sep 23
4 per sq ft 45–60 days
Swiss Chard
Swiss Chard
Feb 15 – Sep 8
4 per sq ft 50–60 days
Spinach
Spinach
Sep 1 – Oct 31
9 per sq ft 35–50 days

Direct Sow 6

Plant these seeds directly into the soil outdoors.

Garlic
Garlic
Jan 1 – Sep 8
9 per sq ft 180–240 days
Cilantro
Cilantro
Feb 15 – Sep 30
9 per sq ft 30–45 days
Beet
Beet
Feb 15 – Sep 15
9 per sq ft 50–70 days
Peas
Peas
Feb 15 – Sep 8
8 per sq ft 55–70 days
Turnip
Turnip
Feb 15 – Oct 16
9 per sq ft 30–60 days
Radish
Radish
Mar 9 – Oct 8
16 per sq ft 22–30 days

September Gardening Tips

  • Start Spinach, Strawberry, Chives indoors now to give them a head start before transplanting outside.
  • Lettuce, Spinach, Strawberry 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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