Zone 8 - What to Plant in September

Zone 8 - What to Plant in September

Zone 8 growers still typically have about 3 months of growing season until the first frost hits in late November. September is the perfect time to plant broccoli, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, greens and more. Also there are several cover crops that can be planted now to help bring nutrients back to the garden this fall and early spring. Below is a list of items that can be planted in zone 8 in September.

Riverside is a smooth spinach with dark green leaves. Grown mostly for its spade-shaped baby leaf harvesting. Riverside produces at normal rates with an upright plant habit. Excellent for growers who want premium quality product. Riverside is also very resistant to downy mildew.

The Early Scarlet Globe is an early forcing radish that is perfect for home and market growers! This variety is a great bunching radish that produces 1" globes with bright red skin and a white flesh. The Early Scarlet Globe is great for both spring and fall planting!

The Lincoln Pea is an extra tender variety with a sweet flavor and high yields. This pea variety was introduced just after World War II during the peace time. Lincoln quickly became a popular home garden variety due to its versatility, as it can be eaten fresh, froze or canned. Its pods can reach 4-5" in length and are full of 6-9 sweet, tender peas. Lincoln does well in heat and should have a small pea fence or some sort of support or its vines.

Brunswick cabbage is a traditional variety known for its hardiness and adaptability, making it a favorite among gardeners in cooler climates. Originating from Europe, Brunswick cabbage features large, tightly packed heads that can reach sizes of 3-5 pounds. The leaves are thick, dark green, and slightly crinkled, providing a robust texture. The flavor is mild and sweet, especially after exposure to frost, which enhances its natural sugars. Brunswick cabbage is typically harvested in late summer to early fall, and it can store well, making it ideal for winter use. This variety is often used for sauerkraut, coleslaw, and various cooked dishes due to its versatility. Brunswick cabbage plants grow upright and can reach heights of about 18-24 inches, preferring well-drained soil and full sun. Their resilience to cold weather makes them suitable for early spring and fall planting, allowing gardeners to enjoy fresh produce throughout the growing season. Overall, Brunswick cabbage is valued for its robust flavor, adaptability, and long storage life.

The Colorful Mix is a fun blend of different colorful cauliflower varieties. Have fun with this colorful mix of cauliflower varieties. This is a great mix to plant and sale at farmers markets. People will marvel at the bright colors! The varieties include Cheddar, Graffiti, and Snowball.

Lakeside smooth leaf spinach with dark green leaves. It has a round to oval leaf shape with an upright plant habit that makes it easy to harvest. It is a very versatile variety it can be used for baby leaf, bunch or clip.

The Oakleaf Lettuce gets its name for having very tender leaves that resemble the white oak leaf. This variety is an old time favorite that tastes great in mixed salads. The Oakleaf is perfect for planting late in the season. This lettuce will stay tasty and non-bitter well into the heat of summer!

The Dwarf Grey Sugar Pea is one of our customer favorite peas! Produces an abundance of attractive purple and blue flowers. These flowers are edible, have a light pea flavor and look great on many dishes. The mature peas are very flavorful and is ideal for steaming, stir-frying or eating fresh out of the garden. Dwarf Grey Sugar Pea is suitable for northern and southern regions, as it is tolerant to heat and cold.

The Golden Helios Radish is named after the Greek god of the sun. This olive-shaped radish is bright yellow with a crispy white flesh and is truly one of the most beautiful radish! Not only is Helios a beauty, it is also tasty with a sweet and mild flavor.

Plymouth spinach is a new variety that is great for processing or fresh market growing. It has smooth, medium-dark green leaves that are uniform in shape and size. Plymouth is a moderate to fast-growing variety and has great yield potential.

The red veined Red Tabby Spinach has beautiful tender smooth leaves. This variety is an excellent baby leaf spinach that does well in spring, fall and winter. Its uniform, smooth leaves grow straight and upright. Red Tabby is also resistant to downy mildew races 1-13.

The Marvel of Four Seasons is a French butterhead lettuce with bibb-type rosette leaves. This butterhead, also known as Merveille des Quatre Saisons, is tasty and beautiful. The Marvel of Four Seasons has a robust shape with leaves ranging in bronze, gold, red and green.

White Stem Pak Choi, also known as Bok Choy or Pak Choi, is a versatile and popular Asian cabbage variety with origins in China. This leafy green vegetable has been cultivated for centuries, appreciated for its tender leaves and crisp, white stems. Characterized by its vibrant green, broad leaves and smooth, white stalks, White Stem Pak Choi is both visually appealing and nutritious. The flavor is mild and slightly sweet, making it a popular choice in stir-fries, soups, and salads. Harvesting typically occurs 45-60 days after planting, when the plants reach a height of about 12-18 inches, and can be done by cutting the entire plant or picking individual leaves. White Stem Pak Choi thrives in cooler weather, preferring well-drained soil and full sun, making it suitable for spring and fall planting. Its rapid growth and ability to produce multiple harvests, combined with its rich content of vitamins A, C, and K, make it a favorite among gardeners and cooks alike. Overall, White Stem Pak Choi is valued for its crisp texture, mild flavor, and adaptability in a variety of dishes.

Great Lakes 118 lettuce is a classic butterhead variety that has gained popularity among gardeners since its introduction in the mid-20th century. Known for its compact, dense heads and vibrant green, slightly crinkled leaves, this lettuce offers a pleasing texture and rich, buttery flavor. The taste is mildly sweet and crisp, making it ideal for salads and sandwiches. Harvesting typically occurs around 60-75 days after planting, when the heads are firm and fully developed; gardeners can either cut the entire head or pick individual leaves as needed. Great Lakes 118 thrives in cooler temperatures and well-drained soil, making it a favorite choice for spring and fall planting, and it’s particularly valued for its ability to withstand heat and maintain flavor.

Bibb is a crisp, clean, and easy to grow butterhead lettuce that has light green leaves with the occasional red spots. The crispy heads often self blanch in the center. This lettuce variety is perfect for farmers markets and for the home gardener. This Bibb does well in the heat, yet still grows quickly in our cool weather. Lt. John B. Bibb served in the War of 1812, represented Logan County in the Kentucky House of Representatives and the state Senate from 1827 to 1834. Lt. Bibb was also an amateur horticulturist and developed the Bibb lettuce we know and love today. However, it wasn't offered commercially until 1935.

An early maturing heirloom cabbage. Early Jersey Wakefield is an early variety of cabbage with pointed heads that resist splitting! A great home garden cabbage with great flavor!

White Boston lettuce seeds produce an old heirloom butterhead variety known since the early 1900s for its soft, tender texture and reliable garden performance. The plants form loose, pale-green heads with broad, silky leaves that have a mild, buttery flavor and a pleasantly delicate crunch. This variety prefers cool weather, making it ideal for spring and fall planting, and thrives in rich, well-drained soil with consistent moisture. To grow it successfully, sow seeds shallowly, keep the soil evenly moist, provide partial shade in warmer climates to prevent bolting, and harvest heads when they are full and firm for the best flavor and texture.

The Purple Plum is an amazing purple skinned radish with a crisp, mild and sweet white flesh! This unique radish is different from the "typical" radish coloring. This small round shaped radish is early to harvest, which makes it great for home and market growers. Purple Plum is a nice variety to blend with other colors in mixes!