Zone 8B — September
What to Plant in September in Zone 8B
September in Zone 8B:
1 crop to start indoors,
146 to plant or direct sow outside, and
4 entering harvest window.
Last frost averages March 20. Reference city: Houston, TX.
1 Start Indoors
146 Plant Outside
4 Harvest
Start Indoors in September
| Plant | Type | Start Indoors | Transplant Outside | Harvest Window |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garlic | root vegetable | Sep 14 | Sep 21 | May 19 – Jun 18 |
Plant Outside in September
| Plant | Type | Action | Target Date | Harvest Window |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska Early Pea (fall planting) | legume | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 14 |
| All Year Round (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 27 |
| All Year Round Cauliflower (fall planting) | brassica | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 19 |
| America (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 9 |
| Astro Arugula (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Oct 25 |
| Beauty Pink Radishes (fall planting) | root vegetable | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Oct 15 |
| Beauty Purple Radishes (fall planting) | root vegetable | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Oct 15 |
| Beauty White Radishes (fall planting) | root vegetable | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Oct 15 |
| Black Oil Sunflower Microgreens (fall planting) | microgreen | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Sep 27 |
| Black Seeded Simpson (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Oct 31 |
| Blonde de Paris (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 14 |
| Bloomsdale Longstanding Spinach (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 6 |
| Blue Curled Scotch (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 14 |
| Bok Choy (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 14 |
| Boltardy Beets (fall planting) | root vegetable | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 14 |
| Bouquet Dill (fall planting) | herb | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 19 |
| Broadleaf Classic (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 14 |
| Broccolini (fall planting) | brassica | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 24 |
| Bull's Blood Beets (fall planting) | root vegetable | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 9 |
| Burgundy Boston (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 9 |
| Buttercrunch (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 9 |
| Butterhead Lettuce (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 19 |
| Calabrese Broccoli (fall planting) | brassica | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 19 |
| Calendula (fall planting) | flower | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 14 |
| California Bluebell (fall planting) | flower | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 19 |
| Calypso Cilantro (fall planting) | herb | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 9 |
| Canary Yellow (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 14 |
| Cascadia Sugar Snap Pea (fall planting) | legume | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 21 |
| Champion Radishes (fall planting) | root vegetable | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Oct 15 |
| Chantenay Carrots (fall planting) | root vegetable | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 24 |
| Cherry Belle Radish (fall planting) | root vegetable | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Oct 15 |
| Chervil (fall planting) | herb | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Oct 30 |
| Chinese Broccoli (Gai Lan) (fall planting) | brassica | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 4 |
| Chioggia Beet (fall planting) | root vegetable | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 19 |
| Copenhagen Cabbage (fall planting) | brassica | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 19 |
| Crimson Forest Bunching Onions (fall planting) | root vegetable | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 14 |
| Crosby's Egyptian Beets (fall planting) | root vegetable | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 14 |
| Curly Kale (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 19 |
| Cylindra Beets (fall planting) | root vegetable | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 14 |
| Daikon Radishes (fall planting) | root vegetable | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 9 |
| Dark Green Romaine (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 24 |
| Delicatesse Blue Kohlrabi (fall planting) | brassica | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 14 |
| Delicatesse White Kohlrabi (fall planting) | brassica | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 14 |
| Detroit Dark Red Beet (fall planting) | root vegetable | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 14 |
| Di Cicco Broccoli (fall planting) | brassica | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 19 |
| Dill (fall planting) | herb | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 9 |
| Dukat Dill (fall planting) | herb | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 4 |
| Dutch Lamb's Lettuce (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 4 |
| Early Purple Broccoli (fall planting) | brassica | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 19 |
| Early Wonder Beets (fall planting) | root vegetable | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 4 |
| Easter Egg Radishes (fall planting) | root vegetable | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Oct 17 |
| Endive / Escarole (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 19 |
| Fairy Dwarf Mix Candytuft Flowers (fall planting) | flower | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 14 |
| Fenugreek (fall planting) | herb | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 4 |
| Florida Broadleaf (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 4 |
| Fordhook Giant (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 9 |
| French Breakfast Radish (fall planting) | root vegetable | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Oct 13 |
| French Lamb's Lettuce (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 4 |
| Garlic | root vegetable | Transplant | Sep 21 | May 19 – Jun 18 |
| German Chamomile (fall planting) | herb | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 19 |
| Giant Red (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Oct 30 |
| Golden Acre Cabbage (fall planting) | brassica | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 19 |
| Golden Beet (fall planting) | root vegetable | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 19 |
| Golden Detroit Beets (fall planting) | root vegetable | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 14 |
| Golden Globe Turnips (fall planting) | root vegetable | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 4 |
| Green Arrow Pea (fall planting) | legume | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 24 |
| Green Ice (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Oct 30 |
| Green Wave (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Oct 30 |
| Hailstone Radishes (fall planting) | root vegetable | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Oct 15 |
| Hot Pink (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 14 |
| Igloo Cauliflower (fall planting) | brassica | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 24 |
| Kagraner Sommer (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 12 |
| Kuroda Carrots (fall planting) | root vegetable | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 24 |
| Lacinato Kale (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 19 |
| Leaf Lettuce Mix (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 9 |
| Little Fingers Carrots (fall planting) | root vegetable | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 9 |
| Little Gem (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 10 |
| Little Marvel Pea (fall planting) | legume | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 17 |
| Lollo Bionda (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 14 |
| Lollo Rossa (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 10 |
| Magenta Sunset (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 14 |
| Mammoth Dill (fall planting) | herb | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 19 |
| Marvel of Four Seasons (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 14 |
| Matador Viking (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 2 |
| Mesclun Mix (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Oct 15 |
| Michihili Cabbage (fall planting) | brassica | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 24 |
| Mizuna (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 4 |
| Monstrueux de Viroflay (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 4 |
| Mustard Greens (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 4 |
| New Zealand Spinach (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 14 |
| Noble Giant (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 4 |
| Old Fashion (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 4 |
| Orange (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 9 |
| Oregon Sugar Pod Snow Pea (fall planting) | legume | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 22 |
| Paris Market Carrots (fall planting) | root vegetable | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 9 |
| Phacelia cover crop and bee forage (fall planting) | cover crop | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 14 |
| Premier (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 14 |
| Progress No. 9 Shelling Pea (fall planting) | legume | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 16 |
| Purple Haze Carrots (fall planting) | root vegetable | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 27 |
| Purple Plum Radishes (fall planting) | root vegetable | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Oct 15 |
| Rainbow Mix (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 14 |
| Rambo Radish Microgreens (fall planting) | microgreen | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Sep 25 |
| Rapeseed Cover Crop (fall planting) | cover crop | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 24 |
| Rapini Broccoli Raab (fall planting) | brassica | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 19 |
| Red Leaf Lettuce (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 9 |
| Red Romaine (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 24 |
| Red Russian Kale (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 14 |
| Royal Carpet Alyssum Flowers (fall planting) | flower | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 14 |
| Ruby Red (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 14 |
| Salad Bowl Green (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 4 |
| Scarlet Flax Flowers (fall planting) | flower | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 24 |
| Shelling Pea (fall planting) | legume | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 24 |
| Shungiku (Edible Chrysanthemum) (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 9 |
| Siberian Dwarf (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 9 |
| Slow-Bolt (Slo-Bolt) Cilantro/Coriander (fall planting) | herb | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Oct 25 |
| Snow Crown Cauliflower (fall planting) | brassica | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 14 |
| Snow Pea (fall planting) | legume | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 24 |
| Snowball Self-Blanche Cauliflower (fall planting) | brassica | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 19 |
| Sparkler Radishes (fall planting) | root vegetable | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Oct 15 |
| Speckled Pea Shoot Microgreens (fall planting) | microgreen | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Sep 29 |
| St. Valery Carrots (fall planting) | root vegetable | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 24 |
| Sugar Ann Snap Pea (fall planting) | legume | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 10 |
| Sugar Snap Pea (fall planting) | legume | Direct Sow | Sep 4 | Nov 13 |
| Summer Bibb (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 14 |
| Swiss Chard (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 14 |
| Tango (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Oct 25 |
| Tatsoi (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Oct 30 |
| Tendergreen (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 4 |
| Tendersweet Carrots (fall planting) | root vegetable | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 24 |
| Tom Thumb (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 24 |
| Turnip (fall planting) | root vegetable | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 14 |
| Vates Kale (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 9 |
| Vienna Purple Kohlrabi (fall planting) | brassica | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 19 |
| Vienna White Kohlrabi (fall planting) | brassica | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 19 |
| Vietnamese Coriander (fall planting) | herb | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 14 |
| Viola and pansy edible flowers (fall planting) | flower | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 24 |
| Violetta Purple Cauliflower (fall planting) | brassica | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 19 |
| Wando Pea (fall planting) | legume | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 22 |
| Watermelon Radishes (fall planting) | root vegetable | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 19 |
| White Boston (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 4 |
| White Detroit Beets (fall planting) | root vegetable | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 14 |
| White Icicle Radishes (fall planting) | root vegetable | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Oct 25 |
| White Lisbon Bunching Onions (fall planting) | root vegetable | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 19 |
| Winner Kohlrabi (fall planting) | brassica | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 4 |
| Winter Density (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 14 |
| Winter Giant (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Sep 15 | Nov 4 |
Harvest in September
| Plant | Type | Planted / Sown | Harvest Window |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter rye cover crop stands | cover crop | Mar 20 | Sep 16 – Oct 26 |
| Black Oil Sunflower Microgreens (fall planting) | microgreen | Sep 15 | Sep 27 |
| Rambo Radish Microgreens (fall planting) | microgreen | Sep 15 | Sep 25 |
| Speckled Pea Shoot Microgreens (fall planting) | microgreen | Sep 15 | Sep 29 |
Key Tasks for September in Zone 8B
- 1 Start 1 variety indoors this month under grow lights or in a sunny south-facing window. Use a seed-starting mix and bottom heat (70–75°F) for best germination rates.
- 2 Harden off transplants before moving outdoors — set them outside in a sheltered spot for increasing hours over 7–10 days before planting in the ground.
- 3 Direct sow seeds at the recommended depth and spacing. Keep the seedbed consistently moist until germination is complete.
- 4 Apply 2–3 inches of mulch around heat-sensitive crops to retain moisture and keep root zones cooler. Water deeply and less frequently rather than shallow daily watering.
- 5 Begin fall cool-season planting window this month. Direct sow lettuce, spinach, arugula, and radishes now for harvest before hard frost.
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