Planting in September
While September marks the beginning of fall, the summer’s blistering temperatures may not drop for some time. To see what you should plant this month, use these recommendations based on Florida’s climate regions. You can identify your area with the gardening region map.
North Florida
Bedding Plants: Gardeners in north Florida can freshen up and add color to their summer beds with ageratum, celosia, zinnia, and wax begonia.
Bulbs: Plant Elephant’s Ear varieties, which enhance color and texture in the garden, as well as calla, narcissus, and zephyr lily throughout September.
Herbs: While it’s getting cooler outside, you should plant Mexican tarragon, mint, rosemary, and basil that can all handle early fall’s warm temperatures.
Vegetables: This month try planting cool-season vegetables, such as radish, cabbage, carrot, and lettuce.
Central Florida
Bedding Plants: Like north Florida, gardeners should plant ageratum, celosia, zinnia, and wax begonia to refresh the summer beds.
Bulbs: The different varieties of Elephant’s Ear are the perfect bulbs to add color, texture, and pattern to the garden.
Herbs: Mint, basil, and rosemary are ideal herbs to plant that can tolerate the heat in early fall.
Vegetables: September is the time to start planting for fall—celery, cabbage, lettuce, and collards are all great cool-season vegetable options.
South Florida
Bedding Plants: For color in the fall, south Florida gardeners should plant scarlet sage, nasturtium, celosia, and wax begonia.
Bulbs: While you can plant Elephant’s Ear varieties, you can also plant gladiolus every two weeks to stagger blooming—be sure to stake each plant.
Herbs: Like north and central Florida, plants herbs, such as Mexican tarragon, rosemary, mint, and basil, that can all grow in early fall’s warm temperatures.
Vegetables: If you want your garden to get off to a quick start, then use transplants from your local garden center. If you want more variety, however, then grow cool-season crops, such as broccoli, cabbage, collards, and lettuce, from seeds.
Adapted and excerpted from:
“Florida Gardening Calendar,” UF/IFAS Florida Gardening Calendar.
Related Sites & Articles
- Hot Topics
- Fall Allergies
- Herbs for Fall
- Vegetable Gardening
- UF/IFAS Publications
- Compost Tips for the Home Gardener
- Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide
- Gardening with Annuals in Florida
- UF/IFAS Graphics
- Fall: Plant These Herbs
