What to plant in September in North Carolina
In North Carolina (NC), September sits about 6 weeks before the average first fall frost (October 25). The state averages 203 frost-free days a year (last frost April 5, first frost October 25; USDA zones 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b).
18 crops have a sowing or planting window this month, including bok choy / pak choi, borage, dill, fava bean (broad bean), green onion / scallion, kohlrabi - and 15 of those windows close during September.
Dates here come from North Carolina frost dates (last frost Apr 5, first frost Oct 25). For one crop in detail, see when to plant lettuce, spinach or arugula in North Carolina.
North Carolina covers a very wide range of climates, so dates near you can be two weeks or more either side of these. Enter your ZIP code in the planting calendar for dates tuned to your town.
North Carolina: planting activity through the year
Last chance in September
Bok Choy / Pak Choi (sow for a fall crop, by Sep 6) · Borage (sow for a fall crop, by Sep 6) · Dill (sow for a fall crop, by Sep 6) · Fava Bean (Broad Bean) (sow for a fall crop, by Sep 6) · Green Onion / Scallion (sow for a fall crop, by Sep 6) · Kohlrabi (sow for a fall crop, by Sep 6) · Lettuce (sow for a fall crop, by Sep 6) · Mache (Corn Salad) (sow for a fall crop, by Sep 6) · Mizuna (sow for a fall crop, by Sep 6) · Rapini (Broccoli Raab) (sow for a fall crop, by Sep 6) · Chervil (sow for a fall crop, by Sep 13) · Mustard Greens (sow for a fall crop, by Sep 13) · Spinach (sow for a fall crop, by Sep 13) · Tatsoi (sow for a fall crop, by Sep 13) · Turnip (sow for a fall crop, by Sep 13)
For fall and winter harvests (18)
Sowings counted back from North Carolina's first fall frost, so the crop matures before the cold - or, for garlic and similar, planted after it.
| Crop | What to do | Window | This month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bok Choy / Pak Choi | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 20 – Sep 6 | Last chance - ends Sep 6 |
| Borage | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 20 – Sep 6 | Last chance - ends Sep 6 |
| Dill | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 20 – Sep 6 | Last chance - ends Sep 6 |
| Fava Bean (Broad Bean) | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 20 – Sep 6 | Last chance - ends Sep 6 |
| Green Onion / Scallion | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 20 – Sep 6 | Last chance - ends Sep 6 |
| Kohlrabi | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 20 – Sep 6 | Last chance - ends Sep 6 |
| Lettuce | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 20 – Sep 6 | Last chance - ends Sep 6 |
| Mache (Corn Salad) | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 20 – Sep 6 | Last chance - ends Sep 6 |
| Mizuna | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 20 – Sep 6 | Last chance - ends Sep 6 |
| Rapini (Broccoli Raab) | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 20 – Sep 6 | Last chance - ends Sep 6 |
| Chervil | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 27 – Sep 13 | Last chance - ends Sep 13 |
| Mustard Greens | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 27 – Sep 13 | Last chance - ends Sep 13 |
| Spinach | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 27 – Sep 13 | Last chance - ends Sep 13 |
| Tatsoi | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 27 – Sep 13 | Last chance - ends Sep 13 |
| Turnip | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 27 – Sep 13 | Last chance - ends Sep 13 |
| Arugula | Sow for a fall crop | Sep 3 – Sep 20 | Sep 3 – Sep 20 |
| Watercress | Sow for a fall crop | Sep 3 – Sep 20 | Sep 3 – Sep 20 |
| Radish | Sow for a fall crop | Sep 10 – Sep 27 | Sep 10 – Sep 27 |
Harvesting in September
First harvests expected this month from crops sown or planted on time earlier in the season.
Planting dates for popular crops in North Carolina
Every crop has its own full-year dates for North Carolina: indoor start, transplant or direct sowing, and harvest.
Spring bulbs to plant in September in North Carolina
Plant in fall to build roots and meet the cold requirement, which ranges from six to 20 weeks depending on species or cultivar. Wait until the soil at planting depth is below 60°F. (NC State Extension) ↗
Fall garden season: September garden jobs in North Carolina
- The average first frost is October 25, about 6 weeks away. Pick tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, squash, beans) before it, or cover them on cold nights.
- Still time to sow or plant: bok choy / pak choi, borage, dill, fava bean (broad bean), green onion / scallion, kohlrabi. Fast greens and radishes are the safest bets this late.
- Row cover buys 4-6°F of frost protection and weeks of extra harvest - see season extension.
- 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 North Carolina
North Carolina spans USDA zones 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b. Colder zones, usually higher or further inland, have a later last spring frost and an earlier first fall frost than the state average.
Questions gardeners ask
What vegetables can I plant in North Carolina in September?
18 crops have a window in September: bok choy / pak choi, borage, dill, fava bean (broad bean), green onion / scallion, kohlrabi, lettuce, mache (corn salad), mizuna, rapini (broccoli raab) and more. The tables above give the exact dates for each.
Is it too late to plant garlic in North Carolina in September?
Not too late - it's actually a little early. In North Carolina the next garlic window opens around November 5: plant in fall, after first frost.
Is it too late to plant tomatoes in North Carolina in September?
For this year, yes - the tomato windows in North Carolina have closed. The next step is to start seeds indoors from about February 8.
When is the first frost in North Carolina?
The statewide average first fall frost is around October 25 and the last spring frost around April 5. North Carolina covers a wide range of climates, so local dates can differ by two weeks or more - look yours up by ZIP code.
What can I harvest in North Carolina in September?
From plantings made on time: luffa (loofah gourd), peanut, chayote, zucchini / summer squash, cucumber, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, bush bean, kale.
When should I plant spring bulbs in North Carolina?
Plant in fall to build roots and meet the cold requirement, which ranges from six to 20 weeks depending on species or cultivar. Wait until the soil at planting depth is below 60°F. (NC State Extension). See the bulb planting guide for depth and spacing.
What to plant in September in other states
Dates are computed from North Carolina’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.