Things You Can Plant in September

Did you know that right now in September is the perfect time to start a fall/winter garden? Even if you don't have a garden space, there are so many great vegetables that can be grown in pots on a patio or porch. In this email I'll walk you through what you can be planting right now for vegetables in as little as a few weeks, as well as what easy cutting flowers you can sow alongside them for early spring blooms.

My two favorite places to purchase seed locally are Renfrow Hardware and Pike Nursery (both in Matthews). The seeds in this photo come from Renfrow and are the least expensive I've found. Since they don't come in a seed packet, you have to be willing to do a little Googling for planting directions (to me that's worth it for the money saved).

The fall/winter garden is my favorite garden because pest and weed pressure are lower and it's cooler out, so it's actually enjoyable to be out in the garden working! Below are two lists of my favorite seeds to plant directly into the garden right now. I've also noted which varieties I've successfully grown in containers with an asterisk. Remember - these are definitely not exhaustive lists, just my favorites! 

Favorite Fall Sown Vegetables

Sugar Snap Pea (need something to climb)

Radishes*

Carrots* (requires a deep container)

Arugula*

Lettuce*

Kale*

Spinach*

Broccoli

Favorite Fall Sown Flowers

Bachelor Buttons

Orlaya (white lace flower)

Nigella

Calendula

Bee Balm

The flowers will not bloom this fall or winter, but will put up some growth and then overwinter for early spring blooms. The flower varieties above are extremely cold hardy and require little protection, even from heavy frost. 

If you plant lettuces today, you'll have salad by the end of the month - they grow so fast which makes them very rewarding.

Pro Tip - I recommend sowing little pockets of flower seeds around your vegetables to give your garden a cottage look. Come spring, it will be absolutely beautiful!