September in Ohio is the perfect time to plant fruits from seed that can thrive before winter sets in. Berries, melons, and certain hardy apples are great options to start now.
Using fresh, high-quality seeds and keeping soil consistently moist gives them the best chance to grow. Before long, you’ll have a promising start to next year’s delicious harvest.
1. Strawberries
Fall planting gives these berries a head start for next spring in Ohio’s climate. Seeds need light exposure to germinate, so press them gently into moist soil without covering completely.
Water carefully with a fine mist to avoid displacing the tiny seeds. Alpine varieties often perform best when started in September, producing smaller but intensely flavored berries.
2. Blackberries
Starting blackberry seeds now gives them time for the necessary cold stratification during Ohio winters. Soak seeds overnight in warm water before planting in well-draining potting mix.
Keep soil consistently moist in a protected area like a cold frame. By spring, you’ll have seedlings ready for transplanting, though patience is key as fruiting may take 2-3 years.
3. Raspberries
Wild raspberry varieties thrive when planted from seed in early fall across Ohio gardens. Extract seeds from ripe berries, rinse thoroughly, and dry on paper towels before sowing.
Plant in small containers with sterile seed-starting mix and place in a sheltered spot. The natural freeze-thaw cycles of Ohio winters will help break seed dormancy, encouraging spring germination.
4. Watermelon
Quick-maturing varieties can be started indoors now for transplanting to high tunnels or greenhouses in Ohio. Choose varieties with shorter days to maturity like ‘Sugar Baby’ or ‘Early Moonbeam’.
Soak seeds overnight before planting in biodegradable pots to minimize root disturbance later. Keep soil warm (75-85°F) using a heat mat to encourage rapid germination and growth.
5. Cantaloupe
Ohio gardeners can start cantaloupe seeds indoors in September for protected growing environments. Use deep containers to accommodate their tap roots and provide bright, direct light to prevent leggy seedlings.
Maintain temperatures around 70°F and transplant to greenhouse beds when seedlings have 2-3 true leaves. Choose compact varieties like ‘Minnesota Midget’ that mature quickly in limited space.
6. Tomatoes
Yes, these familiar fruits can be started from seed in September throughout Ohio! Select determinate, early-ripening varieties and grow them indoors under strong lights for winter harvests.
Provide 14-16 hours of light daily and keep temperatures between 65-75°F. Many Ohio gardeners enjoy continuous harvests by starting new batches of seeds every few weeks through fall and winter.
7. Peppers
Sweet and hot pepper varieties make excellent indoor fruit projects for Ohio gardeners this month. Start seeds in small cells or pots with sterile seed-starting mix and keep consistently warm.
Mature plants can be surprisingly compact, perfect for sunny windowsills or under grow lights. Ohio’s winter heating systems create dry conditions that peppers actually prefer, helping prevent common fungal issues.
8. Kiwiberries
Hardy kiwi seeds can be started now in Ohio for future transplanting. Unlike their tropical cousins, these grape-sized fruits withstand Midwestern winters once established.
Extract seeds from ripe berries, rinse, and dry before planting in lightweight seed-starting mix. Place containers outside in a protected location where they’ll experience natural cold stratification during Ohio’s winter months.
9. Figs
Cold-hardy fig varieties grown from seed make excellent container specimens for Ohio gardeners. Fresh seeds germinate more readily than dried ones, so extract them from ripe figs and plant immediately.
Use deep pots with well-draining soil mix and keep consistently moist. Young seedlings can be overwintered indoors near bright windows, then moved to protected outdoor locations during Ohio summers.
10. Goji Berries
These nutrient-packed berries grow surprisingly well from seed in Ohio’s climate. Start indoors in September for strong plants by spring transplanting time.
Soak seeds overnight before planting in light, well-draining soil mix. Ohio gardeners appreciate these plants for their adaptability to the state’s variable conditions and their impressive cold hardiness once established.
11. Ground Cherries
Related to tomatoes, these paper-husked fruits germinate readily from seed even as summer wanes in Ohio. Start indoors under bright lights and transplant to containers that can be moved indoors when frost threatens.
Seeds sprout within 7-14 days at warm temperatures. Many Ohio gardeners enjoy their sweet-tart flavor that tastes like pineapple and vanilla with hints of tomato.
12. Elderberries
Native to Ohio, elderberry seeds started now will develop strong root systems before winter dormancy. Collect seeds from ripe berries, remove pulp, and dry thoroughly before planting.
Sow in containers with woodland soil mix and place outdoors in a sheltered location. The natural freezing and thawing cycles of Ohio winters provide perfect stratification for spring germination.
13. Passion Fruit
Hardy varieties like Maypop thrive when started from seed in Ohio’s climate zones. Extract seeds from ripe fruits, rinse away pulp, and plant immediately in light, well-draining soil.
Keep seedlings protected during their first winter. Many Ohio gardeners are surprised to discover these exotic-looking vines can survive winters with proper mulching in the southern parts of the state.
14. Mulberries
September is perfect for starting mulberry seeds throughout Ohio gardens. Collect seeds from ripe berries, clean thoroughly, and plant in small pots with standard potting mix.
Place containers in a cold frame or unheated garage for winter. Natural stratification occurs during Ohio’s cold months, preparing seeds for spring germination and giving you free plants of these easy-growing native trees.