It’s time to grow an abundance of fresh food and flowers as the weather cools off.

Even though September brings a welcome break from the sweltering summer heat for most of the nation, it’s still a long way from enjoying an autumn breeze in the south and west. September marks the official beginning of fall, which can be a busy time of year in the garden, no matter where you reside.

Despite the wide range of temperatures this month, we’re showcasing a selection of lovely fall flowers, aromatic herbs, and delectable produce that will work well in various regions. Some of the plants on this list are instant winners, while others will pay off until winter’s last frost occurs. 

These are our best recommendations for plants to plant in September, whether you’re searching for extra greenery or a splash of bright color.

This is What You Need to Plant in November

There are many hardy annuals to choose from when deciding what to plant in November. Fall seeding will frequently produce stronger plants with a little head start, meaning they will bloom earlier the following spring. “Compared to spring-sown plants, you’ll get bigger, better plants that can flower a good six weeks earlier.

While the ground is still warm, now is an excellent time to plant hardy winter flowers like blooming perennials and spring bulbs.

Perennial Flowers

1. Chrysanthemum flowers

One of the season’s emblematic flowers, mums are best planted in late summer or early October. As long as September falls at least six weeks before the first frost of the year, you can pretty much plant yourself whenever in September you feel like it. USDA Hardiness Zones 5–9 are ideal for these vivid blooms, while Zone 4 will also do nicely with a little additional care.

2. Chamomile

Although chamomile is technically a herb, it adds a fragrant, calming aspect to any garden and has delicate, daisy-like blossoms. For a beautiful spring treat, plant these now so they can grow strong before winter. USDA Hardiness Zones 2–9 are ideal for chamomile cultivation.

3. Peonies

Oh, the peony, one of our favorite flowers of all time. Planting in the second half of September, or very late if you live in a warmer area, is the first step toward stunning springtime blossoms. This flower grows best in USDA Hardiness Zones 3–9. It comes in a variety of pretty pastel colors.

4. Sage

Although sage is commonly planted in the spring, it may also be planted in the fall as long as it is planted at least two weeks before the first frost of the season. Sage has a strong culinary flavor. For those residing in USDA Hardiness Zones 5–8, this plant functions as a perennial; however, because it dislikes extremely hot summers, individuals in Zone 9 or higher must treat sage as an annual.

5. Asteroids

September is a great month to plant asters because of the milder weather and the chance of winter frosts establishing them. Being the birth flower for the month, these lovely blooms are an especially welcome addition to the yard. USDA Hardiness Zones 3–8 are ideal for these to flourish.

6. Berries

Something about blueberries and the flowers that grow with them adds a distinctive touch to a garden. For those in cooler areas (USDA Hardiness Zones 7–9), this superfood can be planted in early October; those in Zones 5–6 can still attempt later in the month

7. Zinnias

Zinnias grow quickly, so add some color to your garden this year through the first frost. Plant these flowers as soon as the summer heat starts to cool off, as they can blossom as soon as one month after seeding. Planting zinnias in USDA Hardiness Zones 6–11 increases their chances of success and frequently draws pollinators like butterflies.

8. Arugula

Planting this peppery leafy green, also referred to as “rocket,” late summer or early fall will yield rapid benefits. Planters will have a harvest in late fall or early winter, perfect for incorporating into warm, seasonal recipes. Arugula grows well in USDA Hardiness Zones 3–11 and is fairly resilient to weather.

9. Ammi Majus

Bishop’s flower, also known as ammi majus, has delicate white blooms that resemble more delicate cow parsley. If you’re thinking about what to plant in September for a cut flower garden, this is the nicest white filler foliage plant you can cultivate. It also looks amazing when arranged in a huge cloud by itself. Direct seeding in the fall will result in larger and more abundant flowers by late spring, provided that seedlings are spaced 60 cm apart. 

10. Scabious, or “Black Cat” 

The scabious family of flowers, sometimes referred to as the pincushion flower, is renowned for its dependability. “Black Cat” scabious has delicately fragrant, dark, rich velvet, scarlet, little pincushions on long, wiry stems.

Being an insect-friendly plant with a long flowering season, it is a good choice for pollinators.

Plant seeds in a cool, well-ventilated area and cover them with a cover when the weather is mild.

11. Euphorbia Oblongata

Euphorbia oblongata is a short-lived perennial that blooms best in its first year, so handle it like a hardy annual despite its vivid acid-green flowers and strong, striking shapes. 

Plant seedlings outdoors in temperate gardens this month, or overwinter them in a cold frame or unheated greenhouse so they may be planted outside in the spring. Sow under cover this month. Use gloves when cutting flowers to protect your hands from the milky sap, which can seriously irritate your skin.

If you’re designing a cottage garden, euphorbia is another well-liked plant for the space.

12. English or Pot Marigolds, or Calendula

Calendula are hardy annuals that add a bright pop of color to beds and borders. Their rich orange petals are especially delicious when eaten raw in salads.

They are not to be confused with marigolds that belong to the target family, even though they are also referred to as English or pot marigolds. This variety of marigolds grows very differently.

When the calendula flowers in September, sow the seeds there. If planting in containers, start by amending the soil with well-rotted compost or using a multipurpose compost free of peat. Plant the seed thinly in rows at a depth of 1/2 inch (1 cm), then lightly cover with soil. After the seedlings have grown, space them out to be 4-6 inches (10–15 cm) apart, and keep them free of weeds while they germinate. When sown in the fall, they should blossom in May.

Calendula is a flower that attracts bees and butterflies and is a great choice for companion planting in a kitchen garden because of its potent scent, which also deters pests.

Calendula is a must-have for any garden; it’s a hard-working, beautiful plant.

13. Daffodils

Daffodils and narcissi, the memorabilia of spring, can be naturally incorporated into lawns and meadows, or they can be added to beds and borders with their softly bobbing yellow or white heads. There are so many options available that choosing what to plant in September will be difficult.

Daffodil bulbs are easy to plant. They do best in fall and can be put in sun or part shade.

There is a chance that digging in new plants next year will damage the bulbs, so you need to put them deep. This will give the stems more strength.

Also great for spring container gardening shows, make sure the pot the daffodils are planted in has good drainage by putting broken dishes or stones in the bottom and then filling it with all-purpose compost. Give the pots a lot of water and put them somewhere cool until the leaves show. Then plant them with other best winter plants for pots and borders.

14. Daisies

With their pretty blooms that come in a huge range of color combinations, winter pansies can bring new life to your fall garden and brighten up garden beds and pots during the colder, darker months.

It is simple to teach pansies how to grow, and they only need a little attention to flower for a long time.

Plant these small plants in September so that their roots have time to get big enough to last through the winter. Also, if you plant pansies in the fall, you can enjoy their flowers all winter and again in the spring.

Feed them after planting, and when the ground freezes, put a thick layer of mulch around them to help them survive the winter.

To keep pansies looking their best, learn how to remove the dead flower heads. They will also grow for longer.

What Kinds Of Vegetables Should I Plant In September?

After a big harvest in September, it can be hard to think about what foods will grow next. But you can still plant a lot of vegetables in September. Use this time to plant crops that will give you vegetables all winter and earlier spring and summer veggies. These are also great additions to small vegetable garden ideas.

It is very important to plant in small vegetable garden ideas that make the most of every bit of room and time you have.

1. Spring Onions

If you plant spring onions now, they will be ready to pick in a beautiful way. Find out how to grow spring onions. Plant the seeds in a seed tray, and when the seedlings are big enough to handle, move them to the final spot.

When it comes to veggies that do well in shade, spring onions are some of the best ones to grow.

2. Garlic

It is worth growing garlic because it is such a useful vegetable that can be used in many meals. It takes a while to grow garlic because it needs a long growing season. Planting in September will ensure a bigger and better crop.

After planting the cloves in the fall, it will be about 10 months before you can harvest your homegrown garlic bulbs and get more of this important food item.

The rows should be 30 cm apart and just below the soil’s surface. Leave 15 cm between each clove.

After you grow your own garlic plants, make sure you know how to store them so they stay fresh.

3. Radishes

Radishes can be added to salads or roasted for a more mild, earthy flavor. They have a fresh, peppery taste and bright skins.

Radishes grown in the fall are less likely to bolt quickly than their spring-grown relatives, so they can be bigger and better.

If you want to grow radishes safely in the fall, all you need is a sunny spot with moist, well-drained soil. They can handle most types of soil as long as they have those conditions.

September is a great month to plant radishes. Since they grow quickly, plant radish seeds in small amounts but often to get a steady crop all fall and winter. Radish gathering times are marked so that you can get the best ones.

These veggies are also very simple to grow.

4. Spinach

Plant hardy winter types of spinach in September for a harvest in the winter. They are tasty, healthy, and easy to grow. You can add the vegetable to warm soups, pies, or stews to make them more flavorful.

To learn how to grow spinach successfully, you must first improve the soil by adding good yard compost. “Adding too much compost to garden soil is not a problem.” Simon Crawford says, “Strong spinach is tasty spinach.”

In 6 to 10 weeks, you might be able to pick green leaves. Another good plant to grow in pots is spinach.

5. Turnips

You can still plant turnips for a fall or winter crop if you do it early in the month.

It’s best to plant this crop little and often because it grows quickly. Grow in cool, moist soil in the sun or in big containers to get baby vegetables that are great for roasting or adding to salads.

Trees And Shrubs To Plant In September

Naturalists plant in early fall, so if you’re not sure what to plant in September, think about evergreen trees and bushes.

If you plant trees and bushes now, they won’t need much care because the roots should take well and grow while the soil is still warm and wet.

Preparing the ground is the most important part of growing. Add a lot of garden compost that you made yourself or fertilizer made just for shrubs and trees.

You can plant a lot of different trees and flowers in September that will also give you color all season.

1. Cotinus – Smoke Bush

Different types of Cotinus have leaves that are green, purple, and in the fall, beautiful fiery shades of yellow to deep red.

Continus can get quite big, but it can be trimmed back to keep its size under control. It is also called the “smoke bush” because its soft pink summer flowers look like clouds of smoke.

Before taking the plant out of its pot, make sure to water it well and dig a hole that is deep enough to fit the rootball plus some extra room. The dirt around the roots should then be packed down.

2. Hydrangeas

The beautiful flowerheads of hydrangeas are often seen in parks. They come in many shapes and colors, such as blue, pink, and white.Hydrangeas are a beautiful way to add color to your yard from summer to fall. They do best in light shade. For effect, plant in swathes of different colors or lots of the same type.

Hydrangeas are a hardy flowering shrub that loses its leaves every year. They should be put in September, when the ground is warm and moist.

They do well in most types of soil as long as it drains well. However, the pH of the soil can change the color of some types of flowers. In acidic soil, flowers on some plants that normally have pink flowers will look blue.Hydrangeas like it when it’s damp, as their name suggests. To help keep the water in, cover the new plants with leaf mold mulch.

Due to the large number of species, it is important to know when to plant different types of hydrangeas and how to trim them so that they do well.

3. Acer Palmatum, or Japanese Maple

Different kinds of Acer palmatum trees, also known as Japanese maple trees, have beautiful fall colors and different shapes. They are some of the most beautiful trees in the fall.

“I would always pick a type with purple leaves, like “Bloodgood” or “Fireglow.” In the spring and summer, these trees have beautiful leaves, and in the fall, they put on a great show.

For a Japanese garden, put acers in September in a spot that is protected and has some shade. Cut a hole that is about twice as wide and twice as deep as the root ball. When adding growing compost mixed with grit to heavy soil, make it lighter. After planting, give it a lot of water and keep it that way during the first growing season.  

Planting Salads and Herbs in September

The warmer soil, cooler weather, and wet ground at this time of year help herb and salad plants grow fast.

As part of your herb garden plans, some herbs will grow better in the fall than in the spring because they won’t bolt as much when it’s cooler. In other words, September is a good month to plant some vegetables.

1. Coriander, or Cilantro

In eastern and Indian cooking, cilantro is used a lot. It also gives salads a unique, sour taste.

You can plant cilantro right in the ground in September, and it will grow quickly. If you choose a spot close to the kitchen, you can quickly go outside and pick the leaves of this famous herb to use in many dishes. Plant the seeds little and often for best results.

Take the time to learn how to pick cilantro so that you can always have these tasty and useful leaves.

2. Rocket

Even though salad leaves are usually associated with summer foods, you shouldn’t forget about them when you’re planning what to put in your kitchen garden in September.

Rocket leaves are a great choice for what to plant in September because they are spicy and peppery. They give salads a unique flavor and can also be added to pasta recipes before they are served.

Every two weeks, plant a few seeds in a sunny, weed-free area with soil that drains well to get multiple crops. The seeds should be about 3 cm (1 inch) apart. Lightly cover them with soil and then water them well. When it gets cold, cover plants with horticultural cloth.

You can pick the leaves about 4 weeks after planting them. The younger leaves are softer and more tender, so choose those.

3. Winter Lettuce

You can grow lettuce in the fall, and it’s always a hit in the veggie garden. Because you can plant them every two weeks in September and October, you should be able to get fresh leaves until spring.

For winter lettuce, the steps are the same as for spring and summer cabbage. Indeed, lettuce can grow and sprout faster if it is put in September, since it grows best in cool weather.

To make sure you always have tasty and healthy lettuce leaves, you need to know how to pick them.

These are some great foods and plants to get you started, but there are many more that you could plant in September.

Gardening Tasks for November

To keep herbaceous perennials like geraniums, delphiniums, and lupins healthy and increase their numbers, lift, split, and replant flowering clumps of these plants.

Trim bushes to keep them in shape, keep them from getting messy, and make sure they keep growing well. But be careful not to damage any bird nests.

To keep pests and diseases away, clean the greenhouse glass on the inside and outside with warm, soapy water and disinfect the floor and shelves with an eco-friendly cleaner.

Daisy, rose, and penstemon flowers that bloom in late summer can keep growing into fall by cutting off the spent flowerhead.