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.

Cow Horn Okra is one of the best flavored okras around that is great for pickling or gumbo! This variety produces larger pods than most okra and should be harvested young and tender. The best time to harvest Cow Horn is at 6," but it can remain spineless, crunchy and tender up to 10" long. This old heirloom okra dates all the way back to the early 1900's. The twisted shape of this variety somewhat resembles the horns of a cow, getting its name, Cow Horn. Use shorter more tender pods for pickling or longer pods for tasty gumbo! The flowers on Cow Horn will start to appear within 45 days with okra pods soon to follow.

King Richard is a newer leek variety that grows well throughout the United States. This leek variety is a summer type, non-bulbing leek that grows to 12" in length. King Richard has green leaves with white inside. This leek is a very early maturer and is not sufficient for overwinter growing.

Napoli is a very early Nantes type carrot! This carrot has a bright orange color with a length of 7-8 inches. Napoli's roots are slightly tapered and have an excellent sweet flavor. This carrot is also fantastic as an early bunching carrot. It can be over-wintered or grown in high tunnels for a spring harvest.

The Deer Tongue Lettuce really does look like a deer tongue! These triangular leaves are excellent for baby salad greens. Deer Tongue lettuce has medium-green leaves that form loose upright heads that are slow to bolt. This is a popular variety with many heirloom growers, as Deer Tongue has been an Amish favorite for decades!

The Rudolph Radish is known for being a "cute" smaller variety that has a very deep red hue and a nice uniform globe shape. It is only 1.5 inches round! Rudolph might be tiny, but it is bursting with lots of flavor! These crisp, sweet radishes will give any salad or dish an extra kick.

The Bloomsdale spinach is such an attractive, tasty, and a popular garden standard spinach. Bloomsdale spinach is an old favorite amongst gardeners and is now available in organic seeds! It has excellent flavor and produces large quantities of delicious leaves. Spinach is also very nutritious with lots of Vitamin A, C, and iron and is low in calories. Certified Organic. Learn more about our organic seeds.

The Orange Dream cauliflower performs like a dream in outdoor and greenhouse growing conditions. This cauliflower is a medium-large plant. Orange Dream is a pastel orange cauliflower that exhibits great tolerance to heat and stress.

Vates is one of the highest yielding collards around! This collard variety produces dark green leaves that are very delicious. Vates grows to a height of 30" and is very slow to bolt.

Gypsy is a hybrid broccoli that produces well in warmer growing zones. An excellent variety for greenhouse production. Gypsy has a strong root system and intermediate downy mildew resistance. Gypsy yields excellent, smooth, dome-shaped heads with medium-small beads.

The Fancy Nantes carrot gets its name for its very smooth skin and fancy cylindrical shape. These carrots can grow up to 8" long with a very sweet and crisp flesh. For smaller, "fancier" look and great flavor try harvesting at 45-50 days when 4" long! They can store for months and also do great being left in the ground over winter.

The Premier Kale, or also known as Early Hanover, is a high yielding kale with delicious and nutritious green leaves. This kale is early maturing that produces high amounts of smooth, dark green leaves. Plant Premier in the fall so that it produces higher yields and resists bolting 4 weeks longer. This kale's taste is a favorite and is extremely high in antioxidants and beta carotene!

Majestic garlic is a hardneck porcelain variety that is discovered by Beaver Pond Estates. This variety is a porcelain garlic so it does best in colder climates and develops large bulbs with a mild flavor. This garlic will mature later in the season and has excellent storage life.

The Nootka Rose garlic is certified, and has a strong and aggressive flavor great for cooking. The Nootka Rose garlic was created on a farm in Washington State. The cloves have a dark coloration that are typically brown with red streaks. The Nootka Rose's bulbs tend to yield anywhere from 15-24 cloves each. This variety is a very long storing silverskin garlic. Approximately 12-15 garlic bulbs per pound. Approximately 15-24 cloves per bulb.

Ajo Rojo garlic has a delicious mild and creamy flavor. This variety comes from Spain and is very similar to the Creole Red but is a beautiful and distinctive garlic. The Ajo Rojo is mild and creamy when baked, but watch out if consuming raw - the heat comes on slowly and builds to intense!

Lorz Italian garlic, known for its exceptional flavor and culinary versatility, is a beloved garlic variety that hails from Italy. It is renowned for its unique characteristics that set it apart from other garlic varieties. Lorz Italian garlic typically produces medium to large-sized bulbs, often ranging from 2 to 2.5 inches (5 to 6.4 centimeters) in diameter. These bulbs are composed of multiple cloves, typically numbering between 8 to 12 cloves per bulb. One of the standout features of Lorz Italian garlic is its distinct flavor profile. It boasts a rich and robust garlic flavor with a subtle, sweet undertone, making it a favorite among chefs and home cooks alike. Its cloves are easy to peel and have a slightly spicy kick, which adds depth and complexity to a wide range of dishes. Lorz Italian garlic is versatile in the kitchen, lending its bold flavor to sauces, soups, roasted dishes, and more. Gardeners and garlic enthusiasts often appreciate Lorz Italian garlic for its adaptability to various growing conditions and climates. It can thrive in both cold and warm regions, making it a reliable choice for home gardeners looking to cultivate their garlic crop. With its generous number of cloves per bulb, Lorz Italian garlic is a popular choice for those who enjoy growing their garlic and harvesting bulbs with plenty of individual cloves for planting or culinary use.

Creme de la Rasa garlic is a hardneck variety that produces large, plump purple cloves! It is mild in heat, but rich in flavor. It is known to be hardy in the field, making it ideal for farmers! It is one of the several purple striped varieties we are offering this season!

German White garlic, scientifically known as Allium sativum 'German White,' is a popular garlic variety revered for its mild yet robust flavor and large bulb size. This garlic variety typically produces bulbs that are noticeably larger than other common garlic types, with a single bulb often reaching a diameter of 2 to 2.5 inches (5 to 6.35 cm). These bulbs are encased in a papery, white skin that protects the cloves within. Inside each German White garlic bulb, you'll find an impressive number of individual cloves. On average, a single bulb can contain anywhere from 6 to 8 cloves, although some bulbs may yield even more. These cloves are typically medium to large in size and are known for their easy-to-peel, plump, and juicy characteristics. German White garlic is favored by many chefs and home cooks alike for its versatile culinary applications, making it a staple in various dishes, from roasts to sauces, due to its well-balanced garlic flavor that isn't overpowering. In addition to its culinary appeal, German White garlic is also sought after for its adaptability in different climates and its ability to store well. Its robust growth and resistance to diseases make it a reliable choice for home gardeners and commercial growers. Overall, German White garlic is celebrated for its impressive bulb size and the generous number of cloves it offers, making it a cherished ingredient in the kitchen and an excellent addition to any garlic enthusiast's garden.

Leningrad garlic, also known as Russian Red garlic or Allium sativum 'Leningrad,' is a distinctive garlic variety renowned for its robust flavor and impressive adaptability. This heirloom garlic hails from the city of Leningrad, now known as Saint Petersburg, in Russia. It is characterized by its large, purple-striped bulbs and rich, complex flavor profile. Leningrad garlic is classified as a hardneck garlic, meaning it produces a woody central stalk called a scape, which can be harvested and used in culinary applications as well. One of the standout features of Leningrad garlic is its ability to thrive in colder climates. It is well-suited for regions with harsh winters, making it a favorite among northern gardeners. The cloves are typically planted in the fall and harvested in mid-summer the following year. Leningrad garlic is appreciated for its strong, spicy flavor with a hint of sweetness, which intensifies when roasted. Its cloves are easy to peel, making it a convenient choice for home cooks and chefs alike.