In the Southern states or hot climates, September is a transitional month in the heirloom vegetable garden. The focus shifts from summer crops to fall planting, but the warm temperatures still offer opportunities for productive gardening. Here’s a guide on what to do:
Table of Contents
Transitioning Summer Crops
– Harvest Remaining Summer Vegetables: Pick any tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and other summer crops still producing. Monitor plants closely as they may slow down or get stressed by lingering heat.
– Remove Spent Plants: As summer crops die back, pull out old plants to make room for fall plantings. Compost the healthy remains but discard diseased plants.
Tools we like for Garden Harvest:
- A Good Basket: My favorite is the Fiskars, as it’s durable, and washable. The Collapsible is excellent for saving space. For those who prefer more natural materials, we include the wicker, so pretty, nostalgic, and fitting to the heirloom garden. The metal mesh is really nice, it’s breathable and you can see everything in the basket easily.
Wicker Woven Basket with Jute Rope Handle Garden Harvest Basket
- Nice Shears or Knife: Perfect for cutting fruits off plants. Shears are a necessity when harvesting thicker stemmed varieties in particular, such as squash, pumpkins, etc.….also, are great for not damaging plants when picking your bounty, to keep your harvest going. Make sure to sanitize garden tools to prevent disease spread. (Great article on this: https://bcmgtn.wildapricot.org/Cleaning-and-Disinfecting-Garden-Tools). We find Fiskars brand is one of our favorites for garden tools, they’re long lasting and hold up well to lots of use. In a large family with multiple gardens they get lots of exposure to weather :-0 and plenty of testing!
Fiskars Folding Knife for Produce Harvesting, Foldable Gardening Hand Tool with Ergonomic Design
Fiskars SoftGrip Bypass Pruner 5/8″ Tree and Branch Cutter – Bypass Pruning Shears and Garden Clippers with Sharp Precision-Ground Steel Blade (favorite all-around garden/landscape shears!)
- Harvest storage: One of our favorite new harvest storage tools is the mesh produce hanging bags! They work great for storing onions, tomatoes, garlic, apples, oranges, or even potatoes or ginger.
4-Tier Vegetable Fruit Basket Kitchen Storage Rolling Cart on Wheels with Pull-Out Baskets and Wood Top for Kitchen Dining room Pantry (favorite storage for veggies in the kitchen, has held up to 40 lbs. of produce, and withstood the usage of many cooks in the household!)
- Garden Harvest Apron: Very handy! Wish I’d known of these sooner.
Gardening Apron, Canvas Garden Aprons with 6 Pockets and Harvesting Pouch for Women and Men
Fruit Picking Bag, Vegetable Harvest Apron Storage Pouch, Outdoor Gardening Aprons
Fall Planting
– Sow Seeds for Fall Crops: In September, you can start planting heirloom varieties of cool-season crops like:
– Kale, collards, and other leafy greens
– Beets, carrots, and radishes
– Broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage
– Turnips and rutabagas
– Direct Seeding or Transplanting: In warm climates, direct sowing or transplanting seedlings can still be successful. Just ensure adequate moisture and protection from harsh sunlight.
Manage Heat Stress
– Provide Shade: In hot climates, the sun can still be intense in September. Use shade cloth or plant taller crops to provide shade for new seedlings.
– Mulch Heavily: Use mulch around your plants to retain soil moisture and keep the soil cooler. Mulching the garden beds also helps retain moisture and suppress weeds. Use straw, leaves, or grass clippings to keep the soil cool and prevent weed growth around your heirloom crops.
– Water Consistently: Watering early in the morning helps avoid evaporation. Aim for deep watering to encourage strong root systems.
For more tips on gardening in the high heat areas, here are some great books:
–Florida Fruit & Vegetable Gardening: Plant, Grow, and Harvest the Best Edibles
–Grow Great Vegetables in Texas (Grow Great Vegetables State-By-State)
Prepare Beds for Winter Crops
– Amend the Soil: Add compost, manure, or organic fertilizers to enrich the soil for fall and winter plantings. You can also use cover crops like clover or legumes to fix nitrogen in the soil.
-Turn Over Beds: Loosen the soil where you’re planting new crops, especially if it’s compacted after the summer growing season.
Our Favorite Books on Soil Amendment:
Pest and Disease Control
– Monitor for Pests: September can still bring challenges with pests like aphids, caterpillars, and whiteflies. Use organic methods like neem oil or insecticidal soap to control them.
– Clean Up Debris: Remove any fallen fruits or diseased leaves to reduce the spread of pests and diseases.
Plant Garlic and Onions
– Late September is an ideal time in Southern climates to plant garlic and onions. These will grow through the cooler months and be ready for harvest in the spring.
Start Herbs for Winter Use
– You can start fall herbs like cilantro, parsley, and dill in September. They thrive in cooler weather and will grow well into the fall and winter.
Planning for Next Year
– Save Seeds: September is a good time to save seeds from your heirloom plants. Dry and store them for next season to ensure the preservation of your heirloom varieties.
– Take Notes: Document what worked and what didn’t in your summer garden to improve next year’s planting.
Saving Heirloom Seeds
One of the benefits of growing heirloom vegetables is the ability to save seeds from your best plants. As crops reach the end of their life cycle, it is the ideal time to collect seeds for next year’s planting:
– Tomatoes and Peppers: Save seeds from your healthiest heirloom tomatoes and peppers. Allow them to fully ripen before extracting seeds and drying them for storage.
– Beans and Peas: Let some pods mature fully on the plant until they dry. Collect the seeds, dry them thoroughly, and store them in a cool, dry place.
– Squash and Melons: Save seeds from fully ripened squash and melons, ensuring that the fruits are disease-free and healthy.
To see more ideas for easy to save seeds for beginners, visit our article on Easiest Heirloom Seeds to Save
For more in depth seed saving instructions, these are our favorite books:
– The Complete Guide to Saving Seeds: 322 Vegetables, Herbs, Fruits, Flowers, Trees, and Shrubs
– Seed to Seed: Seed Saving and Growing Techniques for Vegetable Gardeners, 2nd Edition
This mix of harvesting, planting, and preparing for cooler months will keep you occupied and help your heirloom garden continue to thrive even in the heat of September!
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