What to Plant in September

USDA Zone 10b

Last frost: Jan 15 – Feb 1 Frost-free days: 300–365

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
Rosemary
Thyme
Oregano
Mint
Lemongrass
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Cabbage
Kale
Lettuce
Beans (bush)
Beans (pole)
Cucumbers
Summer Squash
Corn
Carrots
Tropical Crops

Start Indoors 5

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

Broccoli
Broccoli
Aug 15 – Sep 15
1 per sq ft 60–100 days
Cauliflower
Cauliflower
Aug 15 – Sep 15
1 per sq ft 55–100 days
Cabbage
Cabbage
Aug 15 – Sep 15
1 per sq ft 70–100 days
Kale
Kale
Sep 1 – Oct 1
1 per sq ft 50–65 days
Lettuce
Lettuce
Sep 1 – Oct 1
4 per sq ft 45–60 days

Transplant 10

Move these seedlings from indoors to your garden beds.

Basil
Basil
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft 25–35 days
Rosemary
Rosemary
Jan 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft 80–120 days
Thyme
Thyme
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft 70–90 days
Oregano
Oregano
Jan 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft 60–90 days
Mint
Mint
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft 60–90 days
Lemongrass
Lemongrass
Jan 1 – Dec 31
Tropical Crops
Tropical Crops
Jan 1 – Dec 31
Broccoli
Broccoli
Sep 15 – Nov 1
1 per sq ft 60–100 days
Cauliflower
Cauliflower
Sep 15 – Nov 1
1 per sq ft 55–100 days
Cabbage
Cabbage
Sep 15 – Nov 1
1 per sq ft 70–100 days

Direct Sow 9

Plant these seeds directly into the soil outdoors.

Basil
Basil
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft 25–35 days
Mint
Mint
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft 60–90 days
Tropical Crops
Tropical Crops
Jan 1 – Dec 31
Beans (bush)
Beans (bush)
Sep 1 – Nov 1
9 per sq ft 50–60 days
Cucumbers
Cucumbers
Sep 1 – Oct 1
2 per sq ft 50–70 days
Summer Squash
Summer Squash
Sep 1 – Oct 1
Corn
Corn
Sep 1 – Oct 1
1 per sq ft 60–100 days
Beans (pole)
Beans (pole)
Sep 15 – Oct 15
Carrots
Carrots
Sep 15 – Mar 1
16 per sq ft 70–80 days

September Gardening Tips

  • Start Lettuce, Broccoli, Cabbage indoors now to give them a head start before transplanting outside.
  • Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower can be transplanted outside this month. Harden off seedlings over 5–7 days before planting out.
  • Direct sow Corn, Basil, Mint straight into the garden — no transplanting needed.
  • Protect tender crops from early frost with row cover — this can extend your season by several weeks.

Ready to plan your garden?

Add these crops to your garden plan and get personalized planting reminders for Zone 10b.

Start Planning Free