Curious what to plant in Tucson in September? September is a super busy month for Tucson gardeners! As other climates are winding down, we're prepping for what is essentially our "second spring."
It's exciting and stressful simultaneously, but I really love it.
Autumn is quickly approaching and as the temps drop below 100F, often for the first time in months, there's a ton of new possibilities that open up!
Overnight average lows drop from 74F to 66F during September.
There's still time to direct sow seeds for warm shoulder season crops, like beans and summer squash.
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Keep in mind if you've waited until September to sow your squash and beans, you'll likely get a harvest but will be racing against the frost. This is a risk that has panned out for me enough that I choose to keep planting warm season until September 1st.
It's also another short potato season if you want to grow fingerings - get you chitted potatoes in the ground ASAP.
At the same time, there are endless winter crops which can be started from seed indoors.
You can get the jump on the upcoming cool season while your warm shoulder season crops are growing in the field.
These will go out into the field late next month.
With all the excitement comes a lot of work, but consistency and diligence in your indoor seed-starting in September will pay off big in a month or two.
Don't stop planting seeds, but remember to enjoy the process!
Planting
Cover Crops & Forage
Always listed first as cover crops are the most important crops to grow in my opinion!
September opens up the world of cool season cover crops to you, and there are plenty of good choices.
When in doubt, definitely try a mixed polycrop with your covers. Diversity always helps in the garden to limit your failures and increase your chances of success.
1st Half of September
BROADCAST IN FIELD:
Buckwheat, Cowpea, Flax, Millet, Sesame
DIRECT SOW / DRILL IN FIELD:
Buckwheat, Corn, Cowpea
2nd Half of September
BROADCAST IN FIELD:
Common Vetch, Crimson Clover, Hairy Vetch, Flax, Forage Radish, Oilseed Radish, Red Clover, Tillage Radish, Yellow Sesame, Sweetclover, White Sweetclover
DIRECT SOW / DRILL IN FIELD:
Buckwheat, Corn, Cowpea
Herbs
You can finish moving your warm season herbs outside in September, as you begin to look towards cool season herbs.
Get a jump on the cool season herbs indoors from seed while you finish up moving the final warm season herbs to the field.
1st Half of September
SOW INDOORS:
Cilantro, Chives, Dill, Fennel, Parsley, Tarragon
DIRECT SOW IN FIELD:
HARDEN OFF & TRANSPLANT TO FIELD:
Basil
2nd Half of September
SOW INDOORS:
Cilantro, Chives, Dill, Fennel, Parsley, Tarragon
DIRECT SOW IN FIELD:
HARDEN OFF & TRANSPLANT TO FIELD:
Basil
Fruits & Vegetables
1st Half of September
SOW INDOORS:
Artichoke, Arugula, Bok Choy, Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts, Cabbage, Cardoon, Cauliflower, Celery, Chicory, Chives, Collards, Cucumber, Endive, Escarole, Fennel, Kale, Kohlrabi, Leek, Lettuce, Mizuna, Mustard, Napa, Onions, Romanesco, Spinach, Swiss Chard
DIRECT SOW IN FIELD:
Bush Bean, Cucumber, Potato, Summer Squash, Tepary Bean
HARDEN OFF & TRANSPLANT TO FIELD:
Basil, Bush Beans, Celery, Chili Pepper, Cucumber, Summer Squash, Sweet Pepper, Tepary Bean, Tomato, Zucchini
2nd Half of September
SOW INDOORS:
Artichoke, Arugula, Bok Choy, Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts, Cabbage, Cardoon, Cauliflower, Celery, Chicory, Chickpea, Chives, Collards, Endive, Escarole, Fava Bean, Fennel, Kale, Kohlrabi, Leek, Lentil, Lettuce, Mizuna, Mustard, Napa, Onions, Romanesco, Spinach, Swiss Chard
DIRECT SOW IN FIELD:
Arugula, Beet, Bok Choy, Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts, Cauliflower, Chicory, Chickpea, Collards, Cucumber, Kale, Kohlrabi, Lentil, Mustard, Napa, Parsnip, Radish, Romanesco, Rutabaga, Swiss Chard, Turnip
HARDEN OFF & TRANSPLANT TO FIELD:
Bok Choy, Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts, Cauliflower, Chicory, Chili Pepper, Chickpea, Collards, Cucumber, Kale, Kohlrabi, Lentil, Mustard, Napa, Romanesco, Sweet Pepper, Swiss Chard
It's worth noting that squash vine borer pressure is greatly reduced in the desert in autumn as compared to spring.
You may be able to get away with fewer zucchini plants in the fall vs the spring because of this.
Swiss chard, radish, napa cabbage, parsnip, turnip, carrot, pac choi, beet all great September crops in the Sonoran Desert.
Grains, Seeds, & Cereals
1st Half of September
BROADCAST IN FIELD:
Buckwheat, Flax, Millet, Sesame
DIRECT SOW / DRILL IN FIELD:
Buckwheat, Corn
1st Half of September
BROADCAST IN FIELD:
Buckwheat, Flax, Millet, Quinoa, Sesame
DIRECT SOW / DRILL IN FIELD:
Buckwheat, Corn
Flowers
1st Half of September
BROADCAST IN FIELD:
PLANT FROM BULB:
2nd Half of September
BROADCAST IN FIELD:
Desert Chia
PLANT FROM BULB:
Keep in mind that there may still be lingering days of 105F - 110F early in September.
Get the last of your warm season crops out, like beans, cucumbers, and squash. That is if you're willing to risk a small harvest due to a possible early frost. This bet could pay off big, though
Transplanted into the field on September 1st, I was seeing flowers before the end of September.
Consider your risk tolerance for losing some early cool season seedlings to lingering heat, vs waiting until next month to direct sow cool season seeds.
If you do direct sow cool season crops in September, be extra sure to water the top layer of soil lightly at least 1x per day, ideally 2-3x per day for the first week while seedlings germinate.
Seen here by the end of September
Radish, Turnip, Bok Choy, Napa
September can be harsh on cool season seedlings, but if you can see them through it you can get a great early jump on the upcoming season.
Harvesting
Produce
1st Half of September
Pole Bean, Roselle Hibiscus
2nd Half of September
Pole Bean, Roselle Hibiscus
Seed Saving
1st Half of September
Peppers
2nd Half of September
Peppers
Cut Flowers
1st Half of September
Gaillardia
2nd Half of September
Gaillardia
Weeding
Weeds to Pull
Needle Grama
Watch out for needle grama (Bouteloua aristidoides) this month. It's easy to pull, scythe, or weed-wack but it goes to seed rapidly.
thrives on monsoon rain the Sonoran Desert lowlands.
Needle grama is at its worst in Tucson in September, especially after a heavy monsoon. It doesn't tolerate winter frosts well, however. For this reason, it will race to go to seed before November. Just keep it pulled or chopped back until November if you don't want grama in your garden, and you're fine.
Remember that while chopping back grama may be work, it's also adding carbon to your soil. Chop it before it goes to seed, and it makes a great mulch of addition to your compost. If nature wants to grow grama, utilize those nutrients to help you grow more of what you like.
More Tucson Planting Guides
Know some plants I missed for September in Tucson? I'd love to hear from you in the comments!
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