What to plant in September in Tennessee
In Tennessee (TN), September sits about 6 weeks before the average first fall frost (October 25). The state averages 198 frost-free days a year (last frost April 10, first frost October 25; USDA zones 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a).
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 Tennessee frost dates (last frost Apr 10, first frost Oct 25). For one crop in detail, see when to plant lettuce, spinach or arugula in Tennessee.
Tennessee: 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 Tennessee'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 Tennessee
Every crop has its own full-year dates for Tennessee: indoor start, transplant or direct sowing, and harvest.
Spring bulbs to plant in September in Tennessee
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.
Fall garden season: September garden jobs in Tennessee
- 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 Tennessee
Tennessee spans USDA zones 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a. 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 Tennessee 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 Tennessee in September?
Not too late - it's actually a little early. In Tennessee the next garlic window opens around November 5: plant in fall, after first frost.
Is it too late to plant tomatoes in Tennessee in September?
For this year, yes - the tomato windows in Tennessee have closed. The next step is to start seeds indoors from about February 13.
When is the first frost in Tennessee?
The statewide average first fall frost is around October 25 and the last spring frost around April 10. Your town can be a week or two either side - look yours up by ZIP code.
What can I harvest in Tennessee in September?
From plantings made on time: luffa (loofah gourd), peanut, chayote, zucchini / summer squash, cucumber, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, bush bean, kale.
What to plant in September in other states
Dates are computed from Tennessee’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.