If you’re in Texas and love growing your own food, September is the perfect time to start some seeds. Planting fruit from seed might feel a little adventurous, but it’s incredibly rewarding to watch tiny sprouts grow into full plants.
I’ve been testing a few varieties that do really well this time of year. It’s amazing how a little patience and care can turn a simple seed into fresh, homegrown fruit.
Let’s get your garden thriving before the cooler months arrive!
1. Watermelon
Late-season watermelons thrive when planted in early September across Texas. The Lone Star State’s lingering warmth gives seeds enough time to germinate before cooler weather sets in.
Choose quick-maturing varieties like Sugar Baby for best results. Texas gardeners often find these smaller melons perfect for fall planting since they require less time to reach maturity.
2. Cantaloupe
Sweet and aromatic, cantaloupes can be successfully started from seed during September in warmer Texas regions. The extended growing season allows these melons to develop their signature netted skin and orange flesh.
Texas gardeners should select varieties with shorter maturation periods like Minnesota Midget. A sunny spot with well-draining soil creates the perfect environment for these delicious fruits.
3. Papaya
Southern Texas provides the perfect climate for papaya seeds in September. The tropical nature of these plants means they love the state’s lingering summer heat while establishing roots before winter.
Start seeds in containers that can be moved indoors when temperatures drop. Many Texas gardeners enjoy watching these fast-growing plants develop from tiny seeds into productive fruit trees within months.
4. Pomegranate
Across Texas, September offers ideal conditions for pomegranate seeds to begin their journey. The cooling temperatures help these ancient fruits establish strong root systems before winter dormancy.
Texas gardeners appreciate pomegranates for their drought tolerance once established. Seeds should be planted about half an inch deep in well-draining soil and kept consistently moist until germination occurs.
5. Dragon Fruit
Exotic and eye-catching, dragon fruit seeds thrive when planted in September throughout southern Texas. The cactus-like plants appreciate the state’s gradual cooling while maintaining enough warmth for germination.
Texas gardeners find these seeds surprisingly easy to start. Simply scoop seeds from ripe fruit, rinse, dry briefly, then plant in sandy, well-draining soil where they’ll sprout within two weeks.
6. Loquat
September marks the perfect time for Texas gardeners to plant loquat seeds harvested from fresh fruit. These evergreen trees thrive in the state’s climate, offering both ornamental value and delicious spring fruits.
Many Texans don’t realize how easily loquats grow from seed. Plant the clean seeds about an inch deep in rich potting soil, keep consistently moist, and watch for sprouts within 2-3 weeks.
7. Passion Fruit
Vibrant and tropical, passion fruit seeds can be started in September across central and southern Texas. The cooling temperatures provide perfect conditions for these vining plants to establish before winter.
Texas gardeners love how these seeds transform into sprawling vines with exotic flowers. Fresh seeds germinate most successfully when planted immediately after extraction from ripe fruits into light, well-draining soil.
8. Avocado
September’s moderate temperatures make it ideal for planting avocado pits throughout Texas. The state’s warmer regions provide enough growing time before winter to establish young seedlings.
Many Texas gardeners start avocados as houseplants before transitioning outdoors. Clean the pit, insert toothpicks to suspend it halfway in water, and once roots develop, transfer to soil for continued growth.
9. Peach
Fall-planted peach pits undergo natural cold stratification during Texas winters. September planting allows these seeds to establish initial roots before entering their required chilling period.
Texas gardeners particularly enjoy growing peaches from seed for their adaptability to local conditions. Clean pits should be planted about 3-4 inches deep in well-draining soil where they’ll sprout in spring after winter’s chill.
10. Fig
September offers Texas gardeners a perfect window for starting fig seeds indoors. While less common than cuttings, seed-grown figs develop strong root systems uniquely adapted to the Lone Star State’s conditions.
Many Texans don’t realize figs can grow from the tiny seeds inside fresh fruits. Scoop seeds from ripe figs, rinse gently, then plant in moist seed-starting mix kept consistently warm for best germination.
11. Guava
Tropical guava seeds thrive when started in September across southern Texas regions. The state’s extended warmth provides ideal conditions for these aromatic fruits to establish before cooler weather arrives.
Texas gardeners find guavas surprisingly adaptable to various soil types. Seeds scraped from ripe fruits should be rinsed, dried briefly, then planted just below the soil surface in well-draining containers kept consistently moist.
12. Persimmon
Native persimmon seeds naturally adapt to Texas growing conditions when planted in September. The state’s wild persimmons demonstrate how well these trees thrive in various soil types across different regions.
Many Texas gardeners appreciate persimmons for their ornamental value and wildlife benefits. Seeds require cleaning before planting about an inch deep in well-prepared soil where they’ll undergo natural stratification during winter months.
13. Date Palm
Exotic date palms can be started from seeds in September throughout Texas’ warmer regions. The state’s extended growing season gives these slow-growing palms time to establish before winter arrives.
Texas gardeners are often surprised by how well date palms adapt to the state’s climate. Fresh seeds from dates should be cleaned, soaked overnight, then planted in sandy, well-draining soil kept consistently warm and moist.