September in North Carolina brings cooler temperatures perfect for growing fall vegetables. Our state’s mild autumn weather creates ideal conditions for many crops that struggle in summer heat.
Planting now means you’ll enjoy fresh homegrown veggies well into winter, saving money and enjoying flavors you can’t find in stores.
1. Crisp Leafy Kale
North Carolina gardeners love kale because it actually tastes better after a light frost! The cold temperatures transform the plant’s starches into natural sugars, creating a sweeter flavor profile.
Plant kale seeds about ¼ inch deep and 12-18 inches apart in well-drained soil. Regular harvesting encourages continuous production, so pick outer leaves first while letting the center continue growing. With proper care, you’ll enjoy fresh kale harvests through winter.
2. Speedy Radishes
Ready in just 3-4 weeks, radishes give quick satisfaction when gardening patience runs thin. Their peppery crunch adds zip to fall salads and roasted vegetable medleys.
Sow seeds directly in garden soil about ½ inch deep and 1 inch apart. For continuous harvests, plant small batches every 7-10 days. Most varieties thrive in North Carolina’s September conditions, particularly ‘Cherry Belle’ and ‘French Breakfast’ types that tolerate cooler temperatures beautifully.
3. Versatile Spinach
Few vegetables match spinach for nutrition and growing ease in North Carolina’s fall climate. Unlike spring plantings that quickly bolt in warming weather, autumn spinach stays productive longer.
Plant seeds ½ inch deep in rows 12 inches apart, thinning seedlings to 3-4 inches. Choose varieties like ‘Bloomsdale’ or ‘Tyee’ for best cold tolerance. The secret to sweet spinach? Consistent moisture and a layer of straw mulch to protect roots as temperatures drop.
4. Hearty Swiss Chard
Rainbow chard brings stunning color to September gardens with its ruby, yellow, and orange stems. Beyond good looks, this nutritional powerhouse keeps producing through light frosts and recovers quickly from harvests.
Plant seeds 1 inch deep and 4-6 inches apart, thinning to 12 inches as plants mature. Baby leaves can be harvested in just 4 weeks, while full-sized leaves take 50-60 days. For maximum production, cut outer leaves at soil level rather than pulling entire plants.
5. Frost-Loving Carrots
September-planted carrots develop exceptional sweetness as temperatures drop. Cold weather triggers the roots to convert starches to sugars – nature’s antifreeze that improves flavor dramatically.
Sow seeds ¼ inch deep in loose, stone-free soil. The key challenge is keeping seedbeds consistently moist during germination, which takes 1-3 weeks. North Carolina gardeners find success with varieties like ‘Danvers’ and ‘Scarlet Nantes’ for fall planting. A thick mulch layer protects developing roots from early frosts.
6. Peppery Arugula
Arugula delivers gourmet salad greens just 30 days after planting – perfect for impatient gardeners! Its distinctive peppery flavor mellows slightly in cooler fall temperatures.
Scatter seeds thinly and cover with just ¼ inch of soil. North Carolina’s September conditions are ideal for arugula, which prefers shorter days and mild temperatures. For continuous harvests, sow small batches every two weeks. Cut leaves 1 inch above soil level, and plants will regrow for multiple harvests.
7. Reliable Turnips
Grandma knew best – turnips deserve a comeback in modern gardens! Both roots and greens are edible, giving double value from one plant. September-planted turnips develop sweeter, milder flavors than spring crops.
Sow seeds directly in garden soil about ½ inch deep and 2 inches apart. For tender roots, harvest when they reach golf-ball size. ‘Purple Top White Globe’ and ‘Tokyo Cross’ varieties perform exceptionally well in North Carolina’s fall growing season and can withstand light frosts without damage.
8. Fast-Growing Lettuce
Nothing beats the delicate crunch of garden-fresh lettuce! Fall-grown lettuce develops better texture and flavor than spring crops because steady cool temperatures prevent bitterness.
Sprinkle seeds lightly on prepared soil and barely cover with ⅛ inch of fine soil. For baby leaf lettuce, seeds can be sown more densely. North Carolina gardeners find loose-leaf varieties like ‘Red Sails’ and ‘Oak Leaf’ particularly successful for fall planting. Harvest outer leaves individually to extend the productive season.
9. Flavorful Collard Greens
No North Carolina fall garden feels complete without collard greens – a true southern tradition! These nutritional powerhouses actually improve in flavor after light frosts touch their leaves.
Plant seeds ¼ inch deep and 18-24 inches apart, as mature plants need space. Unlike more tender greens, collards can withstand temperatures down to 20°F, making them perfect for extended harvests. Pick lower leaves first, allowing plants to continue producing from the top. A layer of mulch helps regulate soil temperature and moisture.
10. Cold-Hardy Broccoli
Starting broccoli in September gives plants time to develop before winter. Unlike spring plantings that race to flower in warming temperatures, fall broccoli develops slowly, producing tighter, more flavorful heads.
For best results, use transplants spaced 18 inches apart in rows 24 inches apart. After harvesting the main head, side shoots will continue producing smaller florets for weeks. ‘Waltham’ and ‘Calabrese’ varieties perform exceptionally well in North Carolina’s fall growing conditions and can withstand light frosts.
11. Tasty Mustard Greens
Mustard greens bring a pleasant peppery zing to fall meals and grow remarkably quickly – ready to harvest in just 35-45 days! Their distinctive flavor mellows pleasantly when touched by frost.
Sow seeds ¼ inch deep and 1 inch apart, thinning to 6 inches as plants grow. North Carolina gardeners particularly enjoy ‘Southern Giant Curled’ and ‘Red Giant’ varieties for their reliable performance. Young leaves add zest to salads, while mature leaves become tender when cooked. Regular harvesting encourages continuous production.
12. Garlic For Next Summer
September marks the perfect time for North Carolina gardeners to plant garlic – an investment in next summer’s flavors! The cloves establish roots before winter, then burst into growth when spring arrives.
Plant individual cloves 2 inches deep, pointed end up, spaced 6 inches apart. Choose hardneck varieties like ‘Music’ or ‘German Red’ for best performance in our climate. A thick layer of straw mulch protects developing plants through winter. Your patience will be rewarded with flavorful bulbs ready for harvest next June.
13. Productive Beets
Both beautiful and nutritious, beets thrive in North Carolina’s fall garden conditions. The earthy sweetness of autumn-grown beets surpasses spring crops thanks to cooler temperatures that concentrate natural sugars.
Plant seeds ½ inch deep and 1 inch apart, thinning to 3-4 inches as they grow. Don’t waste the thinnings – young beet greens make delicious salad additions! ‘Detroit Dark Red’ and ‘Chioggia’ varieties perform exceptionally well for fall planting. Consistent moisture produces tender roots without woodiness or splitting.