What can your Texas garden grow in September?
September is my favorite month in the Texas kitchen garden! And that’s not just because it’s my birthday month, but also because pest problems, irrigation, disease and sunburns are all less common during this time. And there are so many great vegetables and herbs that actually prefer the cooler temps, so it’s an overall confidence builder when you are learning to garden. If you have your garden set up right with raised beds installed, the best soil to grow in, drip irrigation and the right amount of sunlight, a fall garden is an absolute breeze.
If your are in the Austin area and you do NOT have a garden set up yet and want help getting it done in a beautiful way, book a consultation with us by clicking here and you can be harvesting by Halloween! But I digress…
Now onto the fun part. What can you plant right now??
Fall gardening in Texas is where the magic happens and I have two nicknames for it. Fall is both “Salad Garden Season” and it is “Seed Season.” The best crops for cool weather, even several that love below-freezing temps are great for a homegrown salad! Also, with the warm-but-not-too-warm ground, seeds can do really well being sown directly into your garden and many of the cool season crops can ONLY be grown as seed.
So here is my list!
1) Carrots:
Plant carrot seeds starting in late August and every few weeks until February. Just a sprinkle of seeds on moist soil - couldn’t be easier! These plants take a long time to mature so starting them now is perfect. And my carrots even survived the famous Texas Snowmageddon of 2021, so they are toughies in the cold.
2) Lettuce:
And there are so many kinds! Romaine, Iceberg, Green Leaf, Red Leaf, and more… this is another kitchen garden no brainer. In the right soil, you can sow a pinch of these seeds every other week from September through March. They come up fast and you can cut them fresh. No plastic bag or box waste, and no slimy greens sitting in your fridge too long. Just cut when hungry and enjoy!
3) Spinach:
This superfood will be in abundance in all our client’s gardens this fall. Add some extra antioxidants to your menu this cold and flu season, enjoy it fresh or cooked. Found on the Environmental Working Group’s “Dirty Dozen” list, which plant absorbs everything is touches, so even if you buy it organic, is it clean enough? You can know it is when you grow your own! We will be planting these as seed and at baby transplants in several varieties all fall and winter.
4) Broccoli:
Did you know you can grow your own broccoli? Broccoli gets planted in September and October once the edge is fully off the heat and is another extreme-cold-weather champ. Many varieties are happy in 20 degrees, which means zero stress for you! And when you grow your own you get fun, different types. Have you tried purple broccoli?
5) Onions:
Onions actually grow quite nicely from seeds, which we will plant in client gardens starting in October. Onions in your garden can be eaten for the greens, and can also keep those mammal pests away.
6) Beets:
If you rarely or never eat beats, you should consider them. Did you know the color of the fruit suggests what type of antioxidant it contains? And your body will thank you for giving it a rainbow of food. I personally love a candied beet or pickled beet, sliced on top of a salad or in a savory soup. The are easy to grow starting in September from seeds only, and the tops are edible, too! Speaking of beet tops…
7) Swiss chard:
A close relative to beets and an absolute stunner in the kitchen garden with it’s bright stalks and massive leaves, swiss chard is a wonderful addition to any winter soup. You can plant these as baby transplants or seeds starting in September for added nutrition in all your winter harvests.
8) Radishes:
Add more trace minerals in your diet with a radish in your eggs, soup or salad. These are on the ultimate list of crops every beginning (or child!) should grow. They germinate fast from seed and mature quickly and in large numbers. You’ll truly find your green thumb brightening with this one.
9) Winter flowers:
All of our client gardens have flowers in them. Why not? Their are beautiful, they draw you in, make you want to stay awhile, and there’s always room in the soil for one more little flower. And many are edible! Violas are my personal winter favorite, and they do great in salads or on top of ice cream.
10) Kale:
Another superfood that can be very toxic if you do not grow your own is Kale. Start a healthy habit of a daily green juice with kale added, or just enjoy it for the beautiful, tall, large-leafed plant that it is in your garden. So many shapes, colors and varieties to choose from, it’s a definite must.
11) Cilantro:
Another fan favorite that just about all our client’s fall gardens get to grow is cilantro, which will be started with seeds in our September gardens. Cilantro really does not love our Texas summer heat, but the young cilantro’s also are very delicate in our harshest cold, so it’s important to start them early in the fall. September and October (for transplants) is the prime window.
12) Parsley:
Another one that greatly prefers the cool season to the warm season is parsley. Did you know that 1 tablespoon of parsley holds your entire daily need of Vitamin C? Talk about an immunity boost right when we need it - cold and flu season! Hide it in any soup, salad or meat dish to up your vitamin game!
13) Rosemary:
Rosemary is a perennial that can grow for years. And our clients really enjoy these perennial herbs in their kitchen gardens. Planted in the fall gives your rosemary more of a chance to establish strong roots before next year’s hot summer and they store and dry incredibly well.
14) Sage:
It can’t be Thanksgiving without some sage! And if you plan for garden in August, plant it in September, include some baby sage seedlings, you can be harvesting just in time for your family’s turkey day! Are you hosting? How fun would it be to tell your guests that the turkey is stuffed with homegrown sage?? We love this totally brag-worthy plant!
15) Oregano:
Another perennial, if you’ve ever wanted to try to make your own pasta sauce, nothing beats the taste of fresh oregano. Planted in September and October, Oregano loves Texas winters and as other highly aromatic herbs, can keep the pests as bay!
16) Chives:
Our family brings chives onto the table more than any other plant, 12 months out of the year. It is the perfect addition to eggs, soup, chilly and so many more fall favorites. As a member of the same family as onions and garlic, it also cleans your blood and helps your heart. And the beautiful, tiny, thin leaves adds a design dimension to our client’s gardens all fall - definitely a fan favorite.
17) Mint:
Can you say “Happy Holidays!” without something mint flavored nearby? And did you know you can grow your own mint in several exotic flavors, including “chocolate mint” and “orange mint”? And it really tastes like it! Our clients who are getting gardens in the fall can get baby mint plants that will be ready to be harvested fresh or dried for teas, candys, etc. in time for holiday feasts.
So what are you waiting for? Let’s plan your garden!