Top 5 Vegetables to Plant in September for a Fall Harvest

As summer comes to a close, many gardeners assume it’s time to wind down their efforts, but September is actually one of the best times to refresh your garden and start planting cool-weather crops. Fall gardening can be incredibly rewarding, and with the right veggies, you’ll enjoy fresh, homegrown produce well into the season. If you’re using a vertical garden like the Garden Tower, this is the perfect opportunity to maximize your space and extend your growing season. In this blog, we’ll explore five vegetables that thrive when planted in September and provide tips on how to get the most out of your autumn garden.

Why Plant in September?

September often marks a transition from hot, sunny days to cooler temperatures and shorter daylight hours, making it an ideal time for planting many quick-growing, cool-season vegetables. While summer’s heat-loving plants may be on their way out, fall’s cooler weather creates the perfect environment for crops that prefer lower temperatures and don’t bolt or become bitter as quickly.

In addition to the perfect growing conditions, planting in September allows you to take advantage of your garden space for an extra harvest. The Garden Tower system is designed to optimize small spaces, and with careful planning, you can make sure your garden is productive year-round.

Now, let’s dive into the top five vegetables you should plant this month to enjoy a bountiful fall harvest!

1. Lettuce

Lettuce is one of the easiest and quickest vegetables to grow in a fall garden, making it a top choice for September planting. This cool-weather crop thrives in temperatures between 60°F and 70°F, which means the crisp autumn air provides the perfect conditions for growth. Plus, with a fast maturity rate (some varieties are ready to harvest in as little as 30 days), you can enjoy fresh salads before the first frost.

Varieties to Try:

• Butterhead (such as ‘Buttercrunch’) for tender, buttery leaves.
• Romaine (such as ‘Little Gem’) for crisp, upright leaves.
• Loose-leaf (such as ‘Black Seeded Simpson’) for a cut-and-come-again harvest.

Planting Tips:

• Planting Depth: Plant lettuce seeds about 1/8 inch deep in the soil.
• Spacing: If you’re using a Garden Tower, plant lettuce on the outer edge of the pockets, allowing ample space for the leaves to grow. In general, space seeds or seedlings 6-8 inches apart.
• Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, as lettuce roots are shallow and can dry out quickly.
• Harvest: Depending on the variety, you can start harvesting lettuce leaves as soon as they’re large enough to eat. For leaf lettuce, simply snip the outer leaves and allow the plant to continue growing.

2. Radishes

Radishes are another speedy fall crop, often ready to harvest in as little as 25 days. They thrive in cooler weather and their crisp, peppery flavor adds a satisfying crunch to salads, soups, and sandwiches. Radishes also grow well in containers, making them ideal for a vertical garden system like the Garden Tower.

Varieties to Try:

• Cherry Belle: A classic round radish with bright red skin and white flesh.
• French Breakfast: An elongated, mild radish perfect for slicing.
• Watermelon Radish: Known for its beautiful pink interior and mild flavor, this variety takes a little longer to mature but is worth the wait.

Planting Tips:

• Planting Depth: Plant radish seeds about 1/2 inch deep.
• Spacing: Plant seeds 1 inch apart, and when seedlings emerge, thin them to 2-3 inches apart.
• Watering: Radishes prefer consistently moist soil, so make sure to water them regularly, especially in a Garden Tower where the soil can dry out faster.
• Harvest: Radishes are best harvested when they are about 1 inch in diameter. Pull them up before they get too large, as they can become woody and bitter.

3. Spinach

Spinach is a nutrient powerhouse, packed with vitamins A, C, and K, as well as iron and calcium. Spinach grows best in cooler temperatures, and planting in September allows spinach to flourish without the risk of bolting, which can occur in hot weather. Spinach is also frost-tolerant, meaning you can enjoy fresh greens even after the first light frost.

Varieties to Try:

• Lavewa: A popular variety with dark green, crinkled leaves.
• Space: A smooth-leaf variety that matures quickly and resists bolting.
• Oceanside: Ideal for salads and quick harvests, producing tender, small leaves.

Planting Tips:

• Planting Depth: Plant spinach seeds 1/2 inch deep.
• Spacing: Space seeds about 2-3 inches apart. In the Garden Tower, spinach can be planted closer together, allowing its leaves to cascade down from the pockets.
• Watering: Keep the soil evenly moist but avoid overwatering. Spinach has shallow roots, so it’s important to prevent the soil from drying out.
• Harvest: Harvest individual leaves when they reach a desirable size, or cut the entire plant just above the base for a full harvest. Spinach leaves tend to get tougher as they age, so don’t wait too long to harvest.

4. Carrots

Carrots are an excellent addition to the fall garden, and September is a great time to sow them for a late fall or early winter harvest. Carrots prefer cooler weather and tend to develop sweeter flavors as temperatures drop. While they take a bit longer to mature compared to radishes, they’re worth the wait!

Varieties to Try:

• Nantes: A reliable, cylindrical carrot with a sweet flavor and crisp texture.
• Danvers: Known for its strong, tapered roots and rich flavor.
• Chantenay: A shorter, stout carrot that’s ideal for container gardening.

Planting Tips:

• Planting Depth: Sow carrot seeds about 1/4 inch deep.
• Spacing: Space seeds 1 inch apart, thinning to about 2-3 inches apart as they grow. Since carrots need space to develop long roots, make sure the soil in your Garden Tower is loose and deep.
• Watering: Keep the soil moist, especially during germination, which can take up to two weeks. Once established, carrots need consistent moisture but not waterlogged conditions.
• Harvest: Carrots are usually ready to harvest in 60-75 days. However, you can also harvest them smaller if you prefer baby carrots. Carrots that remain in the ground during a light frost will develop an even sweeter flavor.

5. Kale

Kale is one of the hardiest vegetables you can grow, making it an ideal crop for fall. This leafy green thrives in cool temperatures, and its flavor actually improves after being exposed to frost. Rich in vitamins A, C, and K, kale is a nutritional powerhouse that can be used in salads, soups, or as a side dish.

Varieties to Try:

• Lacinato (Dinosaur Kale): A popular variety with dark, bumpy leaves.
• Red Russian: A tender variety with purple stems and frilly leaves.
• Winterbor: Curly-leafed kale that is exceptionally cold-hardy.

Planting Tips:

• Planting Depth: Sow seeds about 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep.
• Spacing: In a Garden Tower, kale can be planted about 12 inches apart in the upper tiers where it can spread out without being crowded by other plants.
• Watering: Kale prefers moist, well-drained soil. Water regularly to prevent the soil from drying out.
• Harvest: You can start harvesting baby kale leaves about 30 days after planting. For full-size leaves, wait until they are mature but still tender. As with spinach, you can harvest the outer leaves and let the plant continue producing.

Maximizing Your Fall Harvest with the Garden Tower

The Garden Tower is perfect for growing fall crops in small spaces, allowing you to plant a wide variety of vegetables in a compact vertical system. Its unique design makes it easy to rotate the tower for even sun exposure, and the built-in vermicomposting system continuously enriches the soil with nutrients from your kitchen scraps. This creates an ideal growing environment for fast-growing, nutrient-dense vegetables, especially during cooler months.

Here are a few tips to get the most out of your Garden Tower in the fall:

• Sunlight: While fall days are shorter, it’s still important to place your Garden Tower in a location that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight. Rotate the tower regularly to ensure all plants get sufficient light.
• Watering: Cooler weather often means less evaporation, but it’s essential to maintain consistent moisture levels in your Garden Tower. Water as needed, but avoid overwatering.
• Frost Protection: Depending on your region, you may encounter early frosts in October or November. Consider using row covers or frost blankets to protect your crops and extend your growing season.

Reap the Rewards of a Fall Garden