What to plant in September — zone 7a
Zone 7a averages its last spring frost around April 15 and its first fall frost around October 25. Everything below is timed from those two dates, so it stays useful whether you're planting for summer or for a fall harvest.
Transplant for fall
Direct sow for fall
- Spinacharound Sep 5
Succession sowing 2 of 3 — sow every 21 days for a steady cut.
- Lettucearound Sep 5
Counts back 50 days from your first frost. Takes a light frost with cover.
- Radisharound Sep 8
Succession sowing 3 of 3 — sow every 14 days for a steady cut.
- Cilantroaround Sep 10
Counts back 45 days from your first frost. Takes a light frost with cover.
- Radisharound Sep 22
Succession sowing 2 of 3 — sow every 14 days for a steady cut.
- Spinacharound Sep 26
Counts back 40 days from your first frost. Frost-hardy — light freezes sweeten it.
Sow cover crop
- Cover crop (cereal rye + crimson clover)around Sep 25
Sown a month before frost it germinates, holds your soil all winter, and feeds it in spring.
Plant to overwinter
- Onionaround Sep 27
In zone 7+ onion sets planted before frost overwinter for an early summer bulb.
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