Zone 9 - What to Plant in September

Zone 9 - What to Plant in September

September is one of the best months to start gardening in Zone 9. You're just past the dog days of summer and the weather is starting to cool down a bit. The typical first frost in Zone 9 is mid December but even then it can be very mild. This allows for easy winter growing of several crops. Below is a list of items that can be planted in zone 9 in September.

The Red Russian Kale is a very tender, colorful specialty kale for salad mix and bunching. This variety is a special, refined strain. Its stems are purple and leaves are deep gray-green with purple veins. This flat, noncurled, and tooth-edged kale has a wonderful taste. Red Russian matures medium-tall and leaves are tender compared to other kales.

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.

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.

New 50 day maturing bright green mini cabbage. Excellent uniformity, mild flavor and crispness are true bonuses with this extremely early maturing cabbage. Can be sown directly in Fall gardens or transplanted in Spring.

Green Ice is a crispy loose-leaf lettuce that does well in hot weather! This variety produces an abundance of crunchy loose leaves. Green Ice's leaves are curled with deep green color. This lettuce is ready in just 45 days, it is among the earliest, yet will last well into summer thanks to its superior heat tolerance. Green Ice is one loose-leaf that just won't bolt!

Waltham 29 produces incredibly high yields for broccoli! This variety is known for its good color, cold resistance, dwarf compact plant, and big side shoots. Main heads are 4-8" with steady side shoot production after main head is harvested.

Red Express cabbage seeds produce a variety of cabbage known for its vibrant purple-red color and compact, round heads. This variety is prized for its early maturity, typically reaching harvestable size in about 60-70 days. The heads are tightly packed and dense, with crisp, tender leaves that offer a mild, sweet flavor, making it ideal for both fresh consumption in salads and slaws or for cooking. Red Express cabbage is also known for its resistance to common cabbage pests and diseases, making it a robust choice for home gardeners. Additionally, it provides a good source of vitamins A, C, and K, as well as antioxidants.

The Tom Thumb Lettuce is a tennis ball sized Bibb type with a great flavor! This slightly savory, bright green lettuce produces small compact heads that have slightly crumpled leaves with a sweet, delicate flavor. One head will make a salad for two! Tom Thumb will grow beautifully in small pots, window boxes, hanging baskets and planted under trees. This variety is the oldest American lettuce still grown, dating back to 1830's! This rare find is a good one!

De Cicco broccoli, known for its exceptional taste, is a popular heirloom variety of broccoli (Brassica oleracea) that hails from Italy. This Italian heirloom has been cultivated for generations, making it a favorite among gardeners and chefs alike. De Cicco broccoli is classified as a compact, semi-dwarf type of broccoli, and it is highly prized for its versatility in the kitchen and its relatively quick maturity. De Cicco broccoli boasts a mild, slightly sweet flavor with a hint of nuttiness. Its tender, dark green florets are surrounded by a profusion of lush leaves. The compact plant typically reaches a height of 18-24 inches, making it suitable for smaller gardens or container growing. De Cicco is known for its relatively short days to maturity, typically taking around 48-65 days from seed sowing to harvest. This broccoli variety is characterized by its vibrant, dark green color, which is indicative of its high nutrient content. De Cicco broccoli exhibits strong disease resistance, particularly against common broccoli ailments like downy mildew and clubroot, which can be a relief for growers. When properly cared for, De Cicco broccoli can yield a bountiful harvest of small to medium-sized heads, often producing side shoots after the main head is harvested. For optimal growth, it's recommended to sow De Cicco broccoli seeds in well-drained soil with full sun exposure. Plant the seeds 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep, spacing them about 18-24 inches apart to provide enough room for the plants to mature and thrive. Additionally, consistent watering and adequate fertilization can help ensure a successful De Cicco broccoli crop.  

The Giant Caesar Lettuce is an amazing bright green looseleaf romaine type that has a buttery sweet flavor similar to a butterhead. This variety's large leaves are easy to pick without any tearing or bruising. The Giant Caesar is heat resistant and will hold its color and flavor well.

The Cosmic Purple carrot is absolutely amazing! This beautiful purple carrot is bright yellow and orange inside! Cosmic Purple carrots have a tapered 7" shape and a very sweet taste, that has extra healthy anti-oxidants. This carrot is quite popular at farmers markets.

The Imperator 58 is a Danver carrot that is a garden staple! This carrot variety grows to 9" long and 1 1/2" wide. It has a very sweet and tender flavor. This carrot has smooth, large, fine-grained, long, tapered roots. Imperator 58 carrot performs best in loose, friable soils.

The Detroit Dark Red is the standard all-purpose heirloom beet! This is by far the most popular beet for home gardens. Detroit Dark Red has blood red flesh that is very sweet and tasty. Beets are perfectly round with no rings or streaks. Has 13-16" greens that are wonderful mixed into salads. Very prolific and good keeper. This heirloom was first introduced in 1892 by Mr. Reeves of Ontario, Canada.

Certified - Georgia Jets is such a fast growing sweet potato! This sweet potato is a marvelous variety that just like its name suggests, matures extremely fast! In 90 days you will have large, ready to eat sweet potatoes. Georgia Jets is also high yielding!

The Crosby Egyptian beet is a standard early bunching beet for table or market, a favorite that is now also available in organic seeds. The flattened heart-shaped roots and dark-red flesh of this beet is equally appetizing as it is beautiful. The Crosby Egyptian is also the largest early variety beet and will keep its shape until fall. Enjoy both the roots and the tops chopped up in a salad! Certified Organic. Learn more about our organic seeds.

The Cherry Belle Radish is the earliest maturing, garden standard radish. This variety is a 1949 All-American Winner and there is no wonder why. This radish retains its fine eating quality all season. The Cherry Belle is a round, smooth, scarlet beauty. This radish is 3/4" inches across with a crisp, white flesh that is ideal for garnishes or use in salads.

The Confetti Mix is a fast maturing, colorful bled of the classic red, white, and bi colored radishes, all with a remarkable flavor! This fun mix is a beautiful addition to any assortment. These classic bright colors are perfect for any market grower or home gardener.

The Jericho Lettuce is known for its great baby leaf production and is very tolerant to hot weather. This lettuce is a blonde romaine that can be grown for both baby leaf and full-size heads. This lettuce variety is very attractive with its bright light-green leaves. Jericho is tolerant to both heat and tipburn. Certified Organic. Learn more about our organic seeds.