My Planting Calendar

What to plant in September in Nebraska

In Nebraska (NE), September sits about 3 weeks before the average first fall frost (October 5). The state averages 158 frost-free days a year (last frost April 30, first frost October 5; USDA zones 4b, 5a, 5b).

1 crop has a sowing or planting window this month: radish - and 1 of those windows close during September.

Dates here come from Nebraska frost dates (last frost Apr 30, first frost Oct 5). For one crop in detail, see when to plant radish, tomato or lettuce in Nebraska.

Fall garden seasonSow or plant: 1Start indoors: 0Harvesting: 44

Nebraska: planting activity through the year

0
18
53
76
69
28
35
28
1
2
1
0
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Frost riskFrost-free: Apr 30 – Oct 5
Bars count the vegetables, herbs and fruit with a sowing or planting window in each month, from the state’s average frost dates. 1 have one in September; the busiest month is April (76).

Last chance in September

Radish (sow for a fall crop, by Sep 7)

For fall and winter harvests (1)

Sowings counted back from Nebraska's first fall frost, so the crop matures before the cold - or, for garlic and similar, planted after it.

CropWhat to doWindowThis month
RadishSow for a fall cropAug 21 – Sep 7Last chance - ends Sep 7

Harvesting in September

First harvests expected this month from crops sown or planted on time earlier in the season.

Leek · Jul 25 – Sep 13Salsify · Aug 4 – Sep 13Pumpkin · Aug 5 – Sep 4Rosemary · Aug 5 – Sep 4Celery · Aug 8 – Sep 17Luffa (Loofah Gourd) · Aug 12 – Oct 11Peanut · Aug 15 – Oct 4Zucchini / Summer Squash · Aug 17 – Sep 18Sweet Potato · Aug 19 – Sep 18Cucumber · Aug 22 – Sep 28Broccoli · Aug 25 – Oct 6Cauliflower · Aug 25 – Oct 11Cabbage · Aug 25 – Oct 21Bush Bean · Aug 29 – Sep 25Kale · Aug 29 – Sep 30Lettuce · Aug 30 – Oct 16Brussels Sprouts · Sep 3 – Oct 20Bok Choy / Pak Choi · Sep 4 – Oct 6Mizuna · Sep 4 – Oct 1Swiss Chard · Sep 5 – Oct 2Napa Cabbage · Sep 5 – Oct 17Mustard Greens · Sep 6 – Oct 8Fennel (Bulb) · Sep 6 – Oct 18Cilantro / Coriander · Sep 7 – Oct 19Carrot · Sep 8 – Oct 15Radicchio · Sep 8 – Nov 4Dill · Sep 9 – Oct 16Rapini (Broccoli Raab) · Sep 9 – Oct 16Pea · Sep 10 – Oct 12Collard Greens · Sep 10 – Oct 17Tatsoi · Sep 11 – Oct 13Chayote · Sep 11 – Oct 11Beet · Sep 12 – Oct 19Radish · Sep 12 – Oct 7Spinach · Sep 13 – Oct 8Arugula · Sep 13 – Oct 10Kohlrabi · Sep 14 – Oct 16Mache (Corn Salad) · Sep 14 – Oct 16Turnip · Sep 16 – Oct 23Chervil · Sep 16 – Oct 23Rutabaga · Sep 17 – Oct 14Borage · Sep 24 – Oct 31Parsley · Sep 25 – Nov 1Green Onion / Scallion · Sep 29 – Nov 5

Planting dates for popular crops in Nebraska

Every crop has its own full-year dates for Nebraska: indoor start, transplant or direct sowing, and harvest.

When to plant radish in Nebraska →When to plant tomato in Nebraska →When to plant lettuce in Nebraska →When to plant garlic in Nebraska →When to plant bell pepper in Nebraska →When to plant carrot in Nebraska →When to plant onion in Nebraska →When to plant pea in Nebraska →Nebraska frost dates by zone →

Spring bulbs to plant in September in Nebraska

Tulips, daffodils, hyacinths and crocus are planted in fall, once the soil has cooled and before it freezes. The exact window depends on the state, so our bulb guide quotes what each extension service says.

Bulb planting guide by state, with depth and spacing →When to plant daffodils →When to plant tulips →

Fall garden season: September garden jobs in Nebraska

  1. The average first frost is October 5, about 3 weeks away. Pick tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, squash, beans) before it, or cover them on cold nights.
  2. Still time to sow or plant: radish. Fast greens and radishes are the safest bets this late.
  3. Row cover buys 4-6°F of frost protection and weeks of extra harvest - see season extension.
  4. Pull finished crops and sow a cover crop (cereal rye or crimson clover) into empty beds before the soil gets cold.

USDA zone chart for Nebraska

Nebraska spans USDA zones 4b, 5a, 5b. Colder zones, usually higher or further inland, have a later last spring frost and an earlier first fall frost than the state average.

ZoneLast frostFirst frostSeason
Zone 4May 10Sep 25135 days
Zone 5Apr 30Oct 5160 days

Questions gardeners ask

What vegetables can I plant in Nebraska in September?

1 crops have a window in September: radish. The tables above give the exact dates for each.

Is it too late to plant garlic in Nebraska in September?

Not too late - it's actually a little early. In Nebraska the next garlic window opens around October 16: plant in fall, after first frost.

Is it too late to plant tomatoes in Nebraska in September?

For this year, yes - the tomato windows in Nebraska have closed. The next step is to start seeds indoors from about March 5.

When is the first frost in Nebraska?

The statewide average first fall frost is around October 5 and the last spring frost around April 30. Your town can be a week or two either side - look yours up by ZIP code.

What can I harvest in Nebraska in September?

From plantings made on time: leek, salsify, pumpkin, rosemary, celery, luffa (loofah gourd), peanut, zucchini / summer squash, sweet potato, cucumber.

← August in NebraskaOctober in Nebraska →Full-year Nebraska planting calendar →Nebraska frost dates →

What to plant in September in other states

KansasNorth DakotaOklahomaSouth DakotaAlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasAll states →

Dates are computed from Nebraska’s statewide average frost dates (from NOAA/NCEI climate normals) and each crop’s timing in our crop database. Your garden may be a week or two either side - for dates tuned to your ZIP code, use the planting calendar.