Ah, September in USDA zones 7-8 – a time when most folks are packing away their gardening gloves and dreaming of pumpkin spice everything. But hold onto your sun hats, green-thumbed friends, because the gardening season is far from over in these blessed climate zones!

While the rest of the country might be battening down the hatches for winter, zones 7-8 are like that friend who’s always fashionably late to the party. With temperatures still flirting with the 80s and even sneaking into the 90s, September in these areas is less about winding down and more about gearing up for round two of garden goodness.

Think of it as gardening’s second spring – a bonus growing season that lets you squeeze every last drop of productivity out of your plot before Jack Frost finally crashes the party (which, by the way, isn’t until late October in these parts – talk about a long growing season!).

Now, I know what you’re thinking: “September planting? Isn’t that cutting it a bit close?” Well, in most places, you’d be right. But zones 7-8? They play by their own rules. With soil still warm from summer’s lingering embrace and plenty of sunny days ahead, September is prime time for planting a whole host of veggies and fruits that’ll keep your kitchen stocked with homegrown goodness well into fall.

So, put down that pumpkin spice latte (just for a minute, I promise), grab your gardening gloves, and let’s dig into 10 veggies and fruits that’ll thrive when planted in September in these cozy climate zones. Trust me, your future self will thank you when you’re enjoying fresh produce while your neighbors are stuck with the sad, wilted offerings at the supermarket!

1. Lettuce

Who says salad season is over? September is prime time for sowing lettuce in zones 7-8. With cooler nights but still-warm soil, leafy greens will grow like… well, weeds (but the good kind). Choose heat-tolerant varieties like ‘Buttercrunch’ or ‘Red Sails’ for best results. Plant every two weeks for a continuous harvest of crisp, homegrown salads well into fall.

Learn more about growing lettuce in our Lettuce Gardening Guide.

2. Spinach

Popeye’s favorite is a cool-season superstar. September planting gives spinach the perfect conditions to thrive – warm soil for quick germination and gradually cooling air for sweet, tender leaves. Plant spinach seeds about 6 weeks before the first expected frost for a bountiful fall harvest. Try varieties like ‘Bloomsdale’ or ‘Tyee’ for best results in these zones.

Learn more about growing spinach in our Spinach Gardening Guide.

3. Carrots

September-sown carrots are like nature’s candy. The cooling temperatures concentrate sugars in the roots, resulting in extra-sweet carrots. In zones 7-8, gardeners can sow carrots until about 10-12 weeks before the first expected frost. That means early September is perfect timing! Choose quick-maturing varieties like ‘Adelaide’ or ‘Napoli’ for a faster harvest, or opt for winter-hardy varieties like ‘Danvers’ and ‘Autumn King’ for overwintering. These cold-tolerant varieties will thrive over winter with proper mulching, providing an early spring harvest of exceptionally sweet carrots.

Learn more about carrots in our Carrots Gardening Guide.

4. Radishes

For impatient gardeners, radishes are a best friend. These spicy little orbs mature in just 3-4 weeks! In zones 7-8, radishes can be planted every week until about a month before the first expected frost. Try heat-tolerant varieties like ‘Cherry Belle’ or ‘French Breakfast’ for best results in the still-warm September soil.

Learn more about radishes in our Radishes Gardening Guide.

5. Kale

Kale yeah! This nutrient-packed powerhouse loves the cooling temperatures of fall. Plant kale in early September for a harvest that can last well into winter and beyond. In the mild climate of zones 7-8, you have the luxury of choosing from a wide variety of kale types. Try the bumpy-leafed ‘Lacinato’ (Dinosaur Kale) for its deep flavor, the frilly ‘Winterbor’ for its cold hardiness, or the beautiful purple ‘Redbor’ for some color in your garden. The ‘Red Russian’ variety offers tender leaves with a mild flavor, while ‘White Russian’ provides exceptional cold tolerance. Without the threat of hard frosts, your kale can continue producing tasty leaves throughout the winter, ensuring a steady supply of nutritious greens for your kitchen.

Learn more about growing kale in our Kale Gardening Guide.

6. Bush Beans

Yes, you can still get in a crop of beans! In these warm zones, bush beans planted in early September can produce a harvest before the first frost. Choose quick-maturing varieties like ‘Contender’ or ‘Provider’ for best results. Plant them about 8-10 weeks before the expected first frost for a late-fall bean bonanza.

Learn more about growing beans in our Beans Gardening Guide.

7. Beets

These earthy gems are perfect for fall planting. In zones 7-8, beets can be sown until about 8-10 weeks before the first expected frost. That means early September is prime beet-planting time! Try varieties like ‘Detroit Dark Red’ or ‘Chioggia’ for a colorful harvest. Remember, beet greens are delicious too, so it’s like getting two veggies for the price of one!

Learn more about beets in our Beets Gardening Guide.

8. Broccoli

Broccoli loves cool weather, making September the perfect time to plant in zones 7-8. Transplant broccoli seedlings in early September, about 6-8 weeks before the first expected frost. Choose varieties like ‘Packman’ or ‘Green Magic’ for a quicker harvest. With the long fall season in these zones, gardeners might even get some bonus side shoots after the main head is harvested.

Learn more about growing broccoli in our Broccoli Gardening Guide.

9. Garlic

Planting garlic in September is like making a delicious investment in the future. The cloves will develop roots before winter, then burst into growth come spring. In zones 7-8, plant garlic about 6-8 weeks before the ground typically freezes in the area. Hardneck varieties like ‘Music’ or ‘German Red’ are great choices for this climate in September.

Learn more about growing garlic in our Garlic Gardening Guide.

10. Strawberries

Yes, you read that right – strawberries! While often thought of as a spring planting, fall planting can give a jump start on next year’s harvest. Plant strawberry crowns in September, and they’ll establish strong roots over the fall and winter. Come spring, these plants will be the first on the block with homegrown strawberries. Try ever-bearing varieties like ‘Ozark Beauty’ or ‘Quinault’ for a longer harvest season.

Learn more about growing strawberries in our Strawberries Growing Guide.

Planting Fruit Trees in the Fall

September is an ideal time to plant fruit trees in zones 7-8. The soil is still warm enough to encourage root growth, while the cooler air temperatures reduce stress on the new trees. This gives them time to establish before winter dormancy and sets them up for strong growth in spring. Here are some fruit trees well-suited for fall planting in these zones:

• Apples: Choose varieties like ‘Fuji’, ‘Gala’, or ‘Honeycrisp’ for sweet eating apples, or ‘Granny Smith’ for a tart option.
• Pears: Try ‘Bartlett’ for a classic pear flavor, or ‘Asian Pear’ for something different.
• Figs: The ‘Brown Turkey’ or ‘Chicago Hardy’ varieties do well in these zones.
• Persimmons: Both American and Asian varieties thrive, with ‘Fuyu’ being a popular choice.
• Peaches: ‘Belle of Georgia’ or ‘Elberta’ are excellent options for zones 7-8.
• Plums: The ‘Santa Rosa’ or ‘Methley’ varieties are well-adapted to these zones.

When planting, ensure the hole is wide enough for the roots to spread and only as deep as the root ball. Water thoroughly after planting and apply a layer of mulch to retain moisture and protect the roots. Remember, while fall-planted trees won’t produce fruit immediately, you’re setting the stage for bountiful harvests in the years to come.

So, what are you waiting for? Grab those seeds and get planting! And hey, I’d love to hear about your September gardening adventures. What are you planning to plant this fall? Any favorite cool-weather crops I missed? Drop a comment below and let me know.