This article is geared to those in more Northern areas of the U.S., for those in the South or hotter areas of the U.S., more helpful tips can be found here: What to do in the heirloom vegetable garden in September in southern states or hot climates geared towards what you have going on in the garden this month.
The heirloom vegetable garden in September enters a transitional phase between the end of summer and the onset of cooler fall temperatures. It’s a critical time for both harvesting summer crops and preparing for autumn planting. Here’s what to do in your heirloom vegetable garden in September:
Table of Contents
Harvest Late Summer Heirloom Crops
September is a prime month for harvesting many heirloom vegetables that have been ripening through the summer. Be sure to pick them regularly to encourage continued production:
Tomatoes
- Heirloom tomatoes are typically abundant in September, offering a wide range of colors, shapes, and sizes. Pick heirloom tomatoes at peak ripeness and consider preserving them through canning or freezing. We like to feel the tomato to test for ripeness. When they’re a nice slightly soft feel to them, we pick them. As the season fades, you can harvest your green tomatoes, and ripen in a dark place between a couple layers of newspaper. Hot peppers generally get hotter (and change colors, usually from green to orange, red, yellow, or purple) the riper they get.
Peppers
- Both sweet and hot heirloom peppers are ready for harvesting in September. Sweet peppers will have turned their final color (red, yellow, or orange), while hot peppers should be harvested once they’ve matured, based on the desired spice level.
Beans
- Heirloom green beans, pole beans, and bush beans will continue producing throughout September if picked regularly. For dry beans, you may leave beans on the vine to dry for storage and use throughout the winter.
Cucumbers
- Heirloom cucumbers are still producing, especially if they’ve been well watered and cared for during the summer. Harvest them while they’re crisp and before they become too large and seedy.
Summer Squash and Zucchini
- Heirloom varieties of summer squash and zucchini continue to produce well into September. Harvest these vegetables while they are still tender and small to avoid bitterness or tough skins.
Melons
- Heirloom watermelons, cantaloupes, and other melons are at their peak in September. Cantaloupe or honeydew being fully ripened is usually indicated by a sweet fragrance or the ease with which they detach from the vine. A tell-tale sign of a ripe watermelon is a creamy yellow spot from where it sat on the ground and ripened in the sun on the underside of the watermelon. The yellow patch, also known as the field spot or ground spot, is where the watermelon rests on the ground or mulch as it grows. This spot undergoes a subtle transformation from white to creamy yellow when the fruit is ripe.
Eggplants
- Heirloom eggplants are ready to be picked in September. Look for fruits that are shiny and firm, and harvest them before they become overly large or soft.
Pumpkins and Winter Squash
- September is the perfect time to start harvesting heirloom pumpkins and winter squash (sometimes October is best in the farther north climes of the U.S.). The skin should be hard enough that it resists puncture by a fingernail, and the stems should have dried, indicating they are ready for storage. Once harvested, curing the squash in a warm, dry area for about 10-14 days helps harden the skin, improving their storage potential.
Corn
- Heirloom varieties of sweet corn and flint corn are typically ready for harvest in September. Harvest sweet corn when the kernels are plump and milky, and flint corn once the husks have dried and the kernels are fully hardened for drying or milling.
Okra
- Heirloom okra plants continue to produce tender pods throughout September. Harvest them while they are small and tender, before they become fibrous.
Root Vegetables
- Carrots: Carrots can be harvested in September for a sweet, crisp flavor, especially if they’ve been growing through cooler weather.
- Beets: Heirloom beets are ready for harvest when the roots reach a usable size. You can also use beet greens as a nutritious addition to salads and dishes.
- Radishes: Quick-growing radishes can be harvested in September if they were sown in late summer.
- Turnips: Turnips should be harvested once the roots reach maturity, providing both edible roots and greens.
Leeks and Onions
- Heirloom leeks and onions that were planted earlier in the season should be ready for harvest in September. Harvest when the tops begin to yellow and fall over for storage.
Cabbage
- Heirloom cabbage varieties planted for a fall crop are often ready for harvest in September. These heads should be firm and tight when harvested.
Lettuce and Salad Greens
- Heirloom lettuce and other cool-season greens, such as arugula, mustard greens, and spinach, are ideal for September harvests, especially if planted as a fall crop.
Herbs
- Many heirloom herbs, such as basil, parsley, dill, and cilantro, continue to produce well into September. Regular harvesting of herbs helps encourage further growth, and this is also a great time to start drying or preserving them for later use.
Heirloom Fruits to Harvest in September (Bonus section…not things we carry at this point in time, but, helpful info!)
Apples
- Heirloom apple varieties are typically ready for harvest in September. These apples offer a range of flavors from sweet to tart and can be used for fresh eating, baking, or making cider.
Pears
- Heirloom pears, both sweet and firm varieties, ripen in September. Pears should be picked when they are still firm and allowed to ripen off the tree to avoid becoming overripe on the branch.
Plums
- Heirloom plums are at their best in September. These fruits can be harvested when they are slightly soft to the touch and offer a sweet, juicy flavor.
Grapes
- Heirloom grape varieties, often used for wine-making or fresh eating, ripen in September. Grapes should be harvested when the fruit is fully sweet and easily detaches from the vine.
Figs
- Many heirloom fig varieties will ripen in September, offering soft, sweet fruits. Figs are ready to harvest when they droop slightly on the branch and feel soft to the touch.
Peaches
- In some regions, late-season heirloom peaches are still available for harvest in September. These peaches should be picked when they are fragrant and yield slightly to pressure.
Pawpaw
- Pawpaws, a native North American fruit, ripen in September and are often found in heirloom gardens. The custard-like fruit is best harvested when it’s slightly soft and aromatic.
Blackberries and Raspberries
- Some late-bearing heirloom blackberry and raspberry varieties continue to produce fruit in September. These berries should be picked when they are fully ripe and easily detach from the plant.
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.
JJSQ 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
Plant Cool-Season Heirloom Crops
In mid-states with a long enough cool season before winter, September is also the perfect time to plant cool-season heirloom vegetables for fall and early winter harvests. Choose varieties that thrive in cooler weather:
– Leafy Greens: Plant heirloom varieties of spinach, kale, Swiss chard, and lettuce. These crops love cooler temperatures and will thrive through the fall.
– Root Vegetables: Direct-sow heirloom carrots, beets, turnips, and radishes. These root crops can mature before the first frost or even withstand light frosts for sweeter flavors.
– Broccoli and Cabbage: Heirloom varieties of broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower are well-suited for fall planting. Start them as transplants if you didn’t sow seeds earlier in the summer.
Save Heirloom Seeds
One of the benefits of growing heirloom vegetables is the ability to save seeds from your best plants. In September, many crops are reaching the end of their life cycle, making it 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 here: 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
Tidy Up the Vegetable Garden in September
September is also a time for garden maintenance, which ensures your heirloom vegetable garden remains productive and healthy throughout the fall:
– Remove Spent Plants: Pull up any summer crops that are no longer producing, such as exhausted bean plants or tomatoes that have reached the end of their life cycle.
– Weed the Garden: Keep the garden weed-free to prevent competition for nutrients with your newly planted cool-season crops.
– Compost Plant Debris: Add spent plants and trimmings to your compost pile to build nutrient-rich compost for future use. Avoid composting diseased plants to prevent spreading pathogens.
Good guides for composting (something that is daunting to many gardeners!):
Let It Rot!: The Gardener’s Guide to Composting
Prepare Soil for Fall Crops
After harvesting summer crops, your soil may need replenishing to support cool-season plants:
– Amend the Soil: Add organic matter such as compost or well-rotted manure to replenish nutrients. September is a good time to lightly till the soil to mix in these amendments.
– Mulch: Mulch the garden beds to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Use straw, leaves, or grass clippings to keep the soil cool and prevent weed growth around your heirloom crops.
– Consider Cover Crops: For areas of the garden you won’t be planting in, consider sowing a cover crop like clover or rye to improve soil fertility over the winter.
Favorite Books on Soil Amendment:
Extend the Growing Season
To make the most of your heirloom vegetable garden in September, you can extend the growing season into the colder months with some protection strategies:
– Row Covers: Use lightweight row covers to protect tender crops from frost and cooler nighttime temperatures. These can help extend the life of heirloom tomatoes, peppers, and greens.
– Cold Frames: Cold frames can help you start seeds earlier in the spring and continue growing into late fall. Use them for growing cool-season heirloom crops like spinach, lettuce, and carrots.
– Mulching Heavily: For root vegetables like carrots, parsnips, and beets, you can heavily mulch the soil around them, allowing them to stay in the ground through the winter and be harvested as needed.
Books for Extending the Garden Season, and Year-Round Gardening:
Monitor for Pests and Diseases: As the season changes, pests and diseases can still affect your heirloom vegetable garden in September. Stay vigilant for:
– Aphids, Cabbage Worms, and Cabbage loopers: These pests can be problematic for cool-season crops like cabbage, broccoli, and kale. Use organic sprays like neem oil or introduce beneficial insects such as ladybugs to control aphids.
– Powdery Mildew: Humid fall weather can encourage the growth of powdery mildew on squash and cucumbers. Remove infected leaves and improve air circulation around plants to prevent its spread.
Plan for Next Year
As you wind down your heirloom garden for the year, take notes on which crops performed well and which could use improvement. This will help you plan next year’s garden:
– Crop Rotation: Think about crop rotation to prevent soil depletion and reduce pest and disease problems. Avoid planting the same type of crop in the same spot each year.
– Seed Inventory: Take stock of any heirloom seeds you’ve saved or leftover packets. Organize them for next season and note any varieties you want to try next year.
Enjoy the Harvest
Finally, September is a time to savor the fruits of your labor. With a diverse range of heirloom vegetables at their peak, take advantage of the harvest season:
– Preserve Your Harvest: Can, pickle, or freeze your surplus heirloom vegetables to enjoy through the winter.
– Share the Bounty: If you have an abundant harvest, consider sharing your heirloom vegetables with friends, family, or local food banks.
September is a busy but rewarding month in the heirloom vegetable garden. With careful harvesting, preparation for fall crops, and thoughtful planning for the future, you can maximize the productivity and beauty of your garden as the season changes.
It is a crucial time in the heirloom garden, with a wide range of fruits and vegetables ready for harvest. Whether you’re picking late-summer crops or beginning your fall harvest, this month offers an abundance of fresh produce to enjoy and preserve.
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