The 10 Best Things to Plant in Georgia in September

It’s that transitional time of year again when leaves begin changing, and the weather grows chilly. But it’s also a time of year when gardeners get excited about planting vegetables that grow fast and produce an abundant harvest. Georgia has a humid subtropical climate and is in hardiness zones 6 through 9, meaning this southeast state has plenty of planting options throughout the year. Check out this list of the 10 best things to plant in Georgia in September, including some tips and tricks. 

1. Collards

After seeding, you can plant collards outside from mid-September to the beginning of October in Georgia. This cool-season plant is a popular food in Southern kitchens, especially during the holidays. If you plant them in early fall, you could have fresh collards by Thanksgiving. These large plants do best in fertile, well-draining soil with some good compost before planting. They also need about four to five hours of partial to full sun each day. 

2. Petunias

Petunias do best when planted between September and late January. They are one of Georgia’s most popular bedding flowers for cool season colors during the fall. You can find them in dark purple, deep red, and golden yellow to add pops of color to your autumn garden. Petunias need good draining and aerated soil. They also need nutrient-rich compost and a soil PH between 5.5 and 6.0.

3. Beets

You can plant beets during the fall from late August to early October, but you should aim to plant them four to six weeks before the first frost. Beets take around 60 days to mature and should be ready no later than the beginning of December. Beets harvested during autumn have deeper colors and higher sugar levels.

4. Broccoli

You should aim to plant broccoli 85 to 100 days before the first frost, which means you will want them in the garden by August or early September in Georgia. But you should start the seeds indoors by the end of July, transferring them to the ground by August or September. Broccoli does well in well-drained soil with at least eight to ten hours of sunlight per day. 

5. Daisies

You can fall plant daisies before the first frost, preferably late September. You should space daisies two feet apart and place them in moderately fertile, well-draining soil. These flowers need full sun and are generally dry-tolerant once established. Daisies are the perfect flower to plant that will keep coming back with very little maintenance.

6. Brussels Sprouts

This crop grows best in cooler temperatures, making late summer to early fall the best time to plant in Georgia. You should put Brussels sprouts in the ground between late August to early September. These vegetables can hold up during light frosts and grow between 80 to 100 days. But you should start the seeds in July or August and transplant them no later than September.

7. Marigolds

If you want blooms that following year, sow marigolds directly into the soil in August or September. If deadheaded, marigolds will flower for months, often from May to November. Along with an extended flower season, their blooms attract pollinators like bees and butterflies. These flowers do not like drought and need consistent watering. 

8. Cabbage

Because Georgia has mild winters, you can plant cabbage seedlings in September and October for a winter harvest. Septembers in Georgia still have plenty of sunshine and long days for vigorous growing. These vegetables can actually improve in flavor after exposure to light frosts. Cabbage needs full sun and well-draining soil mixed with organic material. 

9. Garlic

The best time to plant garlic in Georgia is late September through November. Garlic is a cold hardy plant that needs plenty of freeze time. You might have tops showing by November and a mature crop by early summer. In fact, the golden rule for planting garlic is to get them in the ground after the autumn equinox during September.

10. Carrots

In Georgia, you should plant carrots either from January to March or August to mid-September. All types of carrots can be grown in the state, where they thrive in the fall when planted in loamy soil on raised beds. While northern gardeners must start their carrots by mid-summer for a fall harvest, Georgia gardeners don’t need to start until the fall for a winter harvest. 

The Best Things to Plant in Georgia in September: A Recap of the Top 10