September in Zone 9 is basically the month when your garden takes a deep breath and says, "Okay, enough of this summer, let's get back to growing stuff without burning alive". Finally, the summer is calming down. The intense heat begins to fade, and the evenings feel more pleasant.
But don't forget, not all plants do well in September. You just need to choose the ones that grow well now. No point planting something that will struggle or die, let's focus on what grows best now.
In this guide, I'm going to share the best plants to grow in Zone 9 in September. So, no more trial and error, no more wasting seeds, and definitely don't listen to that neighbor who says to plant tomatoes in December (trust me, that won't work).
Leafy Greens to Plant in September (Zone 9)
Leafy greens love the cooler nights of September, but if the days are still very hot where you live, don’t plant them in full sun. So, give them some shade in the afternoon.
A little afternoon shade = happier leaves, less wilt, and more salad bowls for you.
| Leafy Green | Planting Method | Transplanting Time | First Harvest | Variety Recommendations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lettuce | Direct seed or transplant | 3–4 weeks after sowing | 30–50 days | Buttercrunch, Romaine, Little Gem |
| Spinach | Direct seed | Not usually needed | 35–50 days | Bloomsdale, Space |
| Swiss Chard | Direct seed | Optional after 3–4 weeks | 50–60 days | Bright Lights, Fordhook |
| Collard Greens | Direct seed or transplant | 4 weeks after sowing | 60–80 days | Georgia Southern, Vates |
| Arugula | Direct seed | Not usually needed | 20–40 days | Rocket, Wild Arugula |
| Beet Greens | Direct seed | Optional after 3 weeks | 40–50 days | Detroit Dark Red, Bulls Blood |
| Turnip Greens | Direct seed | Optional after 3 weeks | 35–50 days | Seven Top, Scarlet Queen |
| Endive | Direct seed or transplant | 3–4 weeks after sowing | 55–65 days | Green Curled, Frisée |
| Watercress | Direct seed or transplant | Not usually needed | 30–40 days | Curled, Upright |
| Radicchio | Direct seed or transplant | 4 weeks after sowing | 60–75 days | Chioggia, Treviso |
| Mustard Greens | Direct seed | Optional after 3 weeks | 30–45 days | Southern Giant, Red Giant |
| Bok Choy | Direct seed or transplant | 3–4 weeks after sowing | 45–60 days | Joi Choi, Shanghai Baby |
| Kale | Direct seed or transplant | 3–4 weeks after sowing | 50–65 days | Lacinato (Dino), Red Russian |
I have included both the fast-growing and the slower-growing leafy greens in the above table. So, you can get a clear idea of what you can grow to get a quicker harvest.
If you plant fast-growing greens like lettuce, arugula, and spinach, they will be ready to eat in about a month, so you can enjoy fresh greens quickly.
If you plant slower-growing greens like kale, Swiss chard, collards, and radicchio, they will keep producing leaves through late fall and even into winter if the weather isn't too cold.
Vegetables to Plant in September
I think root crops and brassicas are the best picks for September because they grow well in cooler weather, and also can handle light frost.
If you plant them now, by Thanksgiving, you can proudly serve your own homegrown vegetables while everyone else is peeling plastic-wrapped ones from the store.
| Vegetable | Planting Method | Transplanting Time | First Harvest | Variety Recommendations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beets | Direct sow | Not needed | 50–60 days | Detroit Dark Red, Chioggia |
| Broccoli | Transplant | 4–6 weeks old seedlings | 70–90 days | Calabrese, De Cicco |
| Carrots | Direct sow | Not needed | 60–75 days | Nantes, Danvers |
| Cabbage | Transplant | 4–6 weeks old seedlings | 65–90 days | Early Jersey, Savoy |
| Cauliflower | Transplant | 4–6 weeks old seedlings | 75–100 days | Snowball, Amazing |
| Brussels Sprouts | Transplant | 5–6 weeks old seedlings | 90–120 days | Long Island Improved |
| Radishes | Direct sow | Not needed | 25–35 days | Cherry Belle, French Breakfast |
| Turnips | Direct sow | Not needed | 45–60 days | Purple Top, Hakurei |
| Potatoes | Direct sow | Not needed | 70–120 days | Yukon Gold, Russet, Maris Piper |
| Onions | Direct sow / Transplant | 8–12 weeks old seedlings | 100–120 days | Red Baron, Walla Walla |
| Garlic | Direct sow | Not needed | 240–270 days | Softneck, Hardneck |
| Parsnips | Direct sow | Not needed | 120–180 days | Hollow Crown, Tender & True |
| Peas | Direct sow | Not needed | 60–70 days | Sugar Snap, Green Arrow |
| Tomatoes | Transplant | 5–7 weeks old seedlings | 70–85 days | Roma, Beefsteak, Cherry |
I recommend planting Garlic in late September to give it a strong start for winter, and starting Tomatoes indoors in early September so they are ready to transplant outdoors when the weather is suitable.
Flowers to Plant in September in Zone 9
If you want your garden to look more like a beautiful magazine and less like just a vegetable bed, plant FLOWERS now.
September is all about cool-season flowers that bloom with bright colors when most of the summer flowers have faded.
| Flower Name | Best Planting Time | Planting Method | Transplanting Time | First Bloom | Perennial or Annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calendula | Early–Mid Sept | Direct sow outdoors | 3–4 weeks | 45–60 days | Annual |
| Cosmos | Early–Mid Sept | Direct sow outdoors | 3–4 weeks | Summer | Annual |
| Snapdragons | Mid Sept | Start seeds indoors, then transplant | 5–6 weeks | Fall–Spring | Annual |
| Pansies | Mid–Late Sept | Start seeds indoors, then transplant | 4–6 weeks | Fall–Winter | Annual |
| Violas | Mid–Late Sept | Start seeds indoors, then transplant | 4–6 weeks | Fall–Winter | Annual |
| Coneflower | Mid–Late Sept | Start seeds indoors or transplant seedlings | 6–8 weeks | Summer | Perennial |
| Salvia | Mid–Late Sept | Start seeds indoors or transplant seedlings | 6–8 weeks | Summer | Perennial |
| Yarrow | Mid–Late Sept | Start seeds indoors or transplant seedlings | 6–8 weeks | Summer | Perennial |
| California Poppies | Early Sept | Direct sow outdoors | — | Spring–Summer | Bulb |
| Daffodils | Early Sept | Plant bulbs 4–6 inches deep | — | Spring | Bulb |
You can start Calendula and Cosmos indoors and move them outside after 3–4 weeks, or just plant the seeds directly in the garden without transplanting.
You can ignore the transplanting time column for the Calendula and Cosmos, if you sow them directly.
Plant flowers together with your vegetables to make your garden colorful and attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.
Calendula isn't just pretty, it's a pest-fighter. Think of it as the garden's natural security guard.
Berries to Plant in September
TRUST me, September is a great time to plant Strawberries and other berries in Zone 9. So, plant it now, and by spring, you will have fresh, juicy Strawberries perfectly ready after months of steady growth.
| Fruit / Berry | Planting Method | Soil Type / Requirements | First Harvest | Variety Recommendations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strawberries | Transplant bare-root or potted plants | Well-drained, slightly acidic soil (pH 5.5–6.5) | 4–6 months | Chandler, Seascape, Albion |
| Blueberries | Transplant potted plants | Acidic, well-drained soil (pH 4.5–5.5), rich in organic matter | 2–3 years | Legacy, Misty, Emerald |
| Raspberries | Transplant dormant bare-root | Loamy, well-drained soil, pH 5.5–6.5 | Next season | Heritage, Caroline, Autumn Bliss |
| Blackberries | Transplant dormant bare-root | Well-drained loamy soil, slightly acidic to neutral (pH 5.5–7.0) | Next season | Apache, Navaho, Arapaho |
Blueberries, Blackberries, and Raspberries are the perennials/trees. These plants take a little patience, they won't give fruit immediately, but they will continue producing berries for many years.
Best Herbs to Plant in September
Herbs are basically the low-maintenance plants of the garden. They grow well, smell good, and make your cooking taste better without much effort. Just don’t overwater them.
| Herb | Planting Method | Transplanting Time | First Harvest | Variety Recommendations | Flavour |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cilantro | Direct sow | Not usually transplanted | 30–45 days | Slow Bolt | Fresh, citrusy |
| Parsley | Direct sow or transplants | 3–4 weeks | 60–70 days | Italian Flat Leaf, Curly | Mild, slightly peppery |
| Dill | Direct sow | Not transplanted | 40–60 days | Bouquet, Mammoth | Sweet, aromatic, tangy |
| Chives | Direct sow or transplants | 3–4 weeks | 60–75 days | Common Chives, Garlic Chives | Mild onion-like |
| Oregano | Transplants | 4–6 weeks after sowing indoors | 80–90 days | Greek Oregano | Strong, pungent, earthy |
| Thyme | Transplants | 4–6 weeks | 75–90 days | English Thyme | Earthy, slightly minty |
I highly recommend you guys to plant Cilantro in partial shade; otherwise, it will bolt faster.
