Zone 6 - What to Plant in September

Zone 6 - What to Plant in September

Zone 6 growers still typically have another couple months of growing season until the first frost hits. Zone 6 first frost usually occurs in late October. September is the perfect time to plant garlic, greens, kale, lettuce, peas, radish, spinach and more. Also there are several cover crops that can be planted now to help bring nutrients back to the garden this fall and early spring. Below is a list of items that can be planted in zone 6 in September.

Elephant is certified and the largest "garlic" you can get! This variety of "garlic" looks like garlic and tastes like a mild hardneck type, but it is actually a type of leek. Just like its name, Elephant is large with 1 1/2" cloves that have a great mild garlic-like flavor. Elephant's bulbs can easily weigh a pound or more! This variety is very easy peeling and keeps very well. Each bulb averages 3-5 cloves. Approximately 9-14 garlic cloves per pound. Hardneck Garlic

Spanish Roja garlic is a certified, early season garlic harvest! This variety is a gourmet best-selling garlic for home gardens with an excellent classic rich flavor! Each bulb has about 8-12 cloves. Spanish Roja's outer wrapper varies in color, from a rich cream to deep purple stripes. Its cloves are large with a brownish red color and are easy to peel. This garlic keeps well, 4-6 months. During curing, many bulbs lose their stems. Approximately 8-12 cloves/ bulb. Approximately 65-85 garlic cloves/ pound.

California Early is an excellent planting garlic variety that produces bulbs great for culinary use and is an early season garlic harvest! This variety is likely the most commonly grown variety in the U.S., and for good reason. It is a medium, easy to grow softneck, with a nice mild flavor and excellent storage ability. Cal-Early is one of our "work-horse" varieties we depend on, year after year, for fresh market and garlic braiding. The skins are a nice off-white with a purple blush and it produces 10-16 cloves per head.

German Giant is just like its name says, a very large garlic with an excellent flavor! This garlic variety is a large garlic that has become popular for its strong, spicy flavor. Many believe German Giant to be one of the best tasting garlics available! This garlic is off-white often with deep purple streaks. Approximately 6 garlic bulbs per pound. Approximately 6-8 cloves per bulb.

Music garlic is a "Garlic Lovers" garlic! This garlic variety is prized for it's mild flavor and ease of peeling. Its flavor is well developed without any bitterness, and it does not disappear when cooked. Just one clove can add so much flavor to any recipe, so it is time-saving! This variety keeps well until April or May when stored properly. Most bulbs average 4-5 cloves.

Little SnapPea Crunch is perfect for smaller gardens or container growing! These pea plants are compact yet very productive. Little SnapPea Crunch produces crunchy, sweet, juicy, edible pod peas in about 58-60 days. These peas do well as the weather warms and pea shoots, mature in 13 days and displays very short internodes. Leaves are great as a garnish or as a stand-alone salad green.

Crunchy Red produces large tops and very uniform dark red, round roots. This variety is very slow to develop pith. It performs well under cool conditions. It’s usually a few days earlier than standard varieties. Crunchy Red is desirable where larger roots are required.

The Spicy Salad Blend is the perfect balance of lettuce and mustard greens. This blend produces a great flavor profile that will spicy up any regular salad mixture.

The Large Leaf Sorrel has delicious lemon flavored leaves that go great with a zesty salad or savory soup! These greens are best harvested in early spring and late fall when it's most tender. Garden Sorrel has pointed leaves that form thick clumps. The Garden Sorrel is popular for being high in Vitamin C.

The Halloween Mix contains a "spooky" mix of purple, yellow, black and white radishes. These radishes are mildly spicy and only 5 centimeters in diameter. Everyday can be a scary fun holiday if you succession plant this mixture every two weeks throughout the spring and fall! This radish mix will bring lots of colors to your dishes.

Just like its name, the Tom Thumb Pea is a tiny bush pea plant perfect for containers! If you are hurting for space but want to grow some delicious peas, try the Tom Thumb! This pea variety produces pea pods on a tiny pea plant.

Watermelon radish is a striking and flavorful root vegetable that adds both color and variety to the garden. Known for its vibrant pink to red interior, which contrasts with its pale greenish-white skin, this radish variety is a favorite among gardeners looking for something unique. Watermelon radishes are cool-season crops, thriving in the early spring or fall when temperatures are mild. They prefer well-drained, loose soil and require consistent moisture to grow to their full potential. The plants develop large, round roots that can reach up to 4 inches in diameter, and their slightly peppery flavor becomes milder and sweeter when grown to full maturity. Watermelon radishes grow best when spaced 2-3 inches apart to allow room for their large roots. They are relatively easy to grow, with a quick turnaround from planting to harvest—usually around 50 to 70 days. Besides their stunning appearance, watermelon radishes are versatile in the kitchen, perfect for salads, pickling, or as a crunchy garnish. Their unique beauty and crisp, mildly spicy flavor make them a showstopper in any home garden.