10 Vibrant Vegetables and Flowers to Plant in September for a Lush Garden

Gardeners, harvest season is officially here. Even though there’s a bounty of fall staples like apples and squashes to enjoy, you can still put your garden trowel to work for some fall planting. In case you didn’t know, September is a good time to plant colorful fall flowers, delicious veggies, and evergreen shrubs in your home garden.

Need some ideas to make your garden as lush as possible? Take a look below at what’s best to plant in September—think everything from beautiful mums to year-round perennial flowers. You can also try hardy greens, like kale and spinach for salads, or root veggies for extra crunch—there are plenty of crops that thrive when planted this month. Although these veggies and flowers are generally recommended for planting in September, we still suggest checking out the USDA Hardiness Zone map, which helps gardeners determine which plants and crops are likely to thrive based on the region. Whether you are a seasoned pro or a fresh beginner, there’s nothing like seeing your seeds turn into vibrant flowers or tasty vegetables that you can enjoy straight from the garden. All you have to do is grab your gardening tools!

Lettuce

With good soil, lettuce can thrive during the autumn season. This fast-growing vegetable, especially baby lettuce, can be ready to harvest in just about 30 days from sowing. Plus, you don’t need a ton of space to grow it—containers or a small deck can work if you don’t have garden beds.

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Brussels Sprouts

Frosty, cool weather is ideal for Brussels sprouts, which are packed with vitamin C. They prefer fertile, well-drained soil and should be given between 18 to 24 inches of space to spread out as they grow.

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Radishes

Radishes, perfect for containers or garden beds, can grow in as little as 20 days. Just be sure to keep the soil moist and be mindful of proper spacing (one-inch apart for seeds and 12 inches in between rows).

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Calendulas

These vibrant yellow and orange flowers, whose petals can be used in salads, prefer partial shade as well as fertile, well-drained soil. Typically, they grow up to two feet tall.

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Garlic

Best in the ground or raised beds, garlic can be planted in September for a crop by mid-summer. Choose from two varieties: softneck garlic, which are common in milder climates and contain multiple cloves in each bulb, and hardneck varieties that have a much stronger flavor and fail to store as long as their counterparts.

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Broccoli

When growing broccoli, it does best with full sun, along with slightly acidic soil that’s moist and rich in organic matter. Keep rows at least three feet apart to ensure optimal growth.

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Carrots

Late summer to early fall is an ideal time to plant this root vegetable, which is packed with antioxidants and vitamin A. In order to flourish, carrots need sandy soil with a pH range between six and seven.

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Peonies

Plant this eye-catching perennial in the fall to enjoy its beauty next spring. This low-maintenance plant needs full sun and moist soil that drains well. Plant them two inches below the soil surface and maintain about three to four feet of distance in between them to allow for good air circulation.

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Spinach

Spinach—especially the savoy varieties—tend to grow quickly during the cooler months. With rich soil, this nutrient-rich vegetable can grow in full sun or partial shade.

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Eggplant

To do well in cooler temperatures, consider growing eggplants in large containers. There’s one caveat though: Their fruit has a tendency to make them tip over, so consider tying them to stakes. And to help keep flea beetles at bay, make sure their containers are at least a foot-and-a-half off the ground.

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