What to Plant in September
Tucson, AZ · Zone 9a
Last frost: Feb 15
Frost-free days: 289
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
Basil
Chives
Mint
Parsley
Beet
Broccoli
Cabbage
Carrot
Cauliflower
Garlic
Kale
Leek
Lettuce
Onion
Potato
Strawberry
Swiss Chard
Turnip
Start Indoors 12
Start these seeds indoors under grow lights or on a sunny windowsill.
Plant now
Chives
Jan 1 – Dec 31
9 per sq ft
60–90 days
Mint
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Leek
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
90–150 days
Onion
Jan 1 – Dec 31
9 per sq ft
100–120 days
Strawberry
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Parsley
Jul 9 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
70–90 days
Kale
Aug 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
50–65 days
Broccoli
Aug 17 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
60–100 days
Cabbage
Aug 17 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
70–100 days
Cauliflower
Aug 17 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
55–100 days
Swiss Chard
Aug 17 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
50–60 days
Later this month
Lettuce
Sep 24 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
45–60 days
Transplant 9
Move these seedlings from indoors to your garden beds.
Plant now
Chives
Jan 1 – Dec 31
9 per sq ft
60–90 days
Mint
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Leek
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
90–150 days
Onion
Jan 1 – Dec 31
9 per sq ft
100–120 days
Strawberry
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Basil
Apr 16 – Sep 15
4 per sq ft
25–35 days
Later this month
Parsley
Sep 16 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
70–90 days
Kale
Sep 16 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
50–65 days
Swiss Chard
Sep 16 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
50–60 days
Direct Sow 5
Plant these seeds directly into the soil outdoors.
Plant now
Garlic
Jan 1 – Nov 30
9 per sq ft
180–240 days
Later this month
Beet
Sep 16 – Dec 31
9 per sq ft
50–70 days
Carrot
Sep 16 – Dec 31
16 per sq ft
70–80 days
Potato
Sep 16 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
70–150 days
Turnip
Sep 16 – Dec 31
9 per sq ft
30–60 days
September Gardening Tips
- Start Lettuce, Broccoli, Cabbage indoors now to give them a head start before transplanting outside.
- Kale, Strawberry, Chives can be transplanted outside this month. Harden off seedlings over 5–7 days before planting out.
- Direct sow Carrot, Potato, 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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