September in Illinois might be cooling down, but it’s still a sweet spot to start planting some easy, fuss-free fruits from seed.
If you’ve ever wanted to grow your own juicy snacks right in your backyard, now’s the perfect time to get your hands a little dirty.
I’ve tried a few of these myself, and honestly, it’s way easier (and more satisfying) than I expected. So grab your gardening gloves—let’s turn that soil into something delicious!
1. Apples
Fall is prime time for collecting apple seeds across Illinois orchards. Just save seeds from your favorite local varieties after enjoying the fruit!
Plant them an inch deep in small pots with well-draining soil. Keep in mind apple trees from seed won’t match the parent fruit exactly, but that’s part of the adventure.
2. Pears
Got a tasty pear from the farmers market? Save those seeds! Illinois gardeners find September ideal for starting pear seeds in pots that can be moved indoors during harsh winter months.
Clean the seeds thoroughly before planting about half an inch deep. They’ll need cold stratification, which happens naturally when planted outdoors in Illinois autumn.
3. Persimmons
Native American persimmons thrive throughout Illinois and September’s the perfect month to collect and plant their seeds. The wild varieties are incredibly hardy and well-adapted to our Midwestern climate.
Clean the seeds from ripe fruit and plant immediately about an inch deep. Many Illinois gardeners have success planting directly where they want the tree to grow, marking the spot carefully.
4. Pawpaw
Often called the ‘Illinois banana,’ pawpaws are native to our state and produce delicious custard-like fruit. Fresh seeds have the highest germination rate, so plant them immediately after enjoying the fruit.
Plant pawpaw seeds about an inch deep in well-draining soil. These seeds need cold stratification, making Illinois September weather perfect timing for natural germination cycles.
5. Mulberries
Growing throughout Illinois, mulberry trees produce abundant berries that make collecting seeds a breeze. September plantings allow seeds to naturally stratify during winter.
Simply wash the pulp from ripe berries and plant seeds a quarter-inch deep. Many Illinois gardeners find mulberries almost too easy to grow, so choose your planting location wisely!
6. Cherries
Both sweet and sour cherry pits can be planted in September across Illinois. The natural cold period of our winters helps break seed dormancy for spring germination.
Clean the pits thoroughly and plant about an inch deep in well-draining soil. Illinois gardeners should note that cherry trees from seed take patience – expect 4-7 years before fruiting begins.
7. Elderberries
Native to Illinois woodlands, elderberries grow readily from seed when planted in September. Their shallow roots establish quickly before winter dormancy sets in.
Extract seeds from ripe berries and plant just below the soil surface. Many Illinois gardeners find elderberries practically foolproof, thriving in both full sun and partial shade across the state.
8. Blackberries
Wild blackberries flourish throughout Illinois, making seed collection easy in late summer. September planting gives seeds time to settle before winter.
Mash ripe berries in water to separate seeds, then plant them just below the soil surface. Illinois gardeners appreciate how quickly blackberries establish – you’ll likely see fruit by your second growing season!
9. Raspberries
Growing raspberries from seed offers Illinois gardeners unique varieties not found in stores. September planting allows natural stratification during our cold winters.
Separate seeds from pulp by mashing berries in water, then plant just below soil surface. Across Illinois, raspberry seedlings emerge reliably in spring, though they require patience before bearing fruit.
10. Grapes
September offers Illinois gardeners perfect timing for planting grape seeds collected from favorite varieties. The cooling soil helps seeds establish before winter dormancy.
Clean seeds thoroughly and plant half an inch deep in well-draining soil. Throughout Illinois, wild grape varieties have naturalized, proving how well these plants adapt to our climate.
11. Strawberries
While usually propagated from runners, growing strawberries from seed offers Illinois gardeners unique varieties. September planting provides natural cold stratification needed for germination.
Sprinkle seeds on soil surface and barely cover with fine soil. Throughout Illinois, strawberry seeds planted now will emerge in spring, though they’ll need protection during our harsh winters.
12. Watermelons
Saving watermelon seeds from summer picnics gives Illinois gardeners a head start for next year. September indoor seed starting allows seedlings to develop before winter.
Clean seeds thoroughly and plant in seed-starting mix half an inch deep. Keep pots in a sunny Illinois window through winter, transplanting outdoors after spring’s last frost.
13. Cantaloupe
Starting cantaloupe seeds indoors during September gives Illinois gardeners a jump on next season. Seeds from locally grown melons often perform best in our climate.
Clean seeds well and plant quarter-inch deep in seed-starting mix. Throughout winter, keep seedlings on a sunny Illinois windowsill, ready for garden transplanting after spring frosts end.
14. Gooseberries
Hardy throughout Illinois, gooseberries grow readily from seeds planted in September. Their natural cold hardiness makes them perfect for our climate.
Extract seeds from ripe berries and plant quarter-inch deep in well-draining soil. Many Illinois gardeners find gooseberries thrive with minimal care once established, tolerating our weather extremes beautifully.
15. Currants
Both red and black currants grow well from seed across Illinois when planted in September. Their cold hardiness makes them reliable producers in our climate.
Separate seeds from pulp and plant quarter-inch deep in garden soil. Illinois gardeners appreciate currants’ adaptability to different soil types found throughout our state, from sandy northern soils to southern clay.