What to plant in September for raised bed gardening

In autumn, the time available for planting is limited and short. Although using metal raised garden beds can extend fall planting time, most fall plants need to be harvested before the first frost. In the fall, some plants can be directly planted in the raised bed, while others need to be transplanted into the raised beds using seed trays.

Prepare fall planting plans in advance

Make a decision on what you want to plant for your raised bed gardening in the fall. You can catch the tail end of the fall season by choosing healthy vegetables that are not widely available on the market or that you use on a regular basis. Kale and rocket are two examples.

Kale(zone 9b, 10a, 10b):
In September, we can start growing kale 6 to 8 weeks before the first frost of the fall and harvest it in winter. Kale is a cold-weather vegetable. Frost enhances the flavour, and it is high in vitamins A, B, C, K, Omega 3 minerals, and antioxidants that boost immunity, promote bone health, inhibit inflammation, protect the heart, fight cancer and ageing, lose weight, protect the eyes, and more.

Rocket(Arugula, zone 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b):
Rocket seeds can be sown directly in the garden bed in early September. Rocket is a four-season, frost-tender plant that can be harvested from early summer to fall and winter if sown repeatedly each season. Rocket is beneficial to the brain, liver, heart, eyes, bones, and immune system. In terms of nutritional value, he may even be second only to kale. That's why it's a good idea to plant more kale and rocket in September, while the light is still abundant and the weather is still pleasant.

Vegetables in September:

1. Turnip (USA- zone 2a, 2b, 5a, 5b, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b)
Turnip seeds can be sown directly in the raised garden bed. Plant them 5-8 inches apart and expect to harvest them in 6-9 weeks. Avoid planting near potatoes and tomatoes. Turnip grows well in full light and cannot be kept dry while growing, so keep the soil moist when planting turnip. Peas, beans, chives, spinach, carrots, and chicory are examples of companion plants.

2.Cabbage (USA-zone 4a, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 10a, 10b)
Cabbage can be directly sown in the raised bed. Plant them 20–30 inches apart and expect to harvest them in 11–15 weeks. Planting near climbing (pole) beans, tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, strawberries, mustard, parsnips, and other plants should be avoided. Companion plants include dwarf (bush) beans, beets, celery, cucumbers, onions, marigold, nasturtium, rhubarb, and aromatic herbs.

3. Beetroot (USA-zone 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b)
Fertile soil and high humidity levels are linked to beetroot growth and rhizome expansion. Mulch can be used to maintain soil moisture when planting in the dry autumn months. Beetroot can be sown directly in the raised bed. Plant them 8–12 inches apart and expect to harvest them in about 7–10 weeks. Planting near asparagus, carrots, sweetcorn, and spinach should be avoided. Companion plants include onions, silverbeet (Swiss Chard), lettuce, cabbage, dwarf beans, dill, and peas.

4. Leeks (USA-zone 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a)
September is an excellent time to plant leeks because they are drought tolerant and grow well in hot weather. Plant them 4-8 inches apart, and they will be ready in 15-18 weeks. Carrots are ideal symbiotic plants.

5. Radish (USA-zone 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b)
Radish is a common root vegetable in our daily life, especially in winter when it is the peak of the radish harvest. Radish seeds can be sown directly in the garden bed. Plant them 1-2 inches apart and harvest them in about 5-7 weeks. Gherkins should not be planted next to hyssop. Chervil, cress, lettuce, leeks, spinach, strawberries, and tomatoes are all good companion plants.

6. Lettuce (USA-zone 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b)
Lettuce can be started in a seed tray in August and transplanted to a raised garden bed in September, or it can be planted directly in the garden bed in September. Plant 8-12 inches apart for an 8-12 week harvest. Avoid planting near parsley and celery. Carrots, onions, strawberries, beets, brassicas, radishes, marigolds, borage, chervil, Florence fennel, and leeks are all good companion plants.

7. Garlic (USA-zone 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b)
Garlic is one of the plants that can be harvested for a long time, and mulching it well can help it overwinter. Garlic's roots are sensitive to standing water and can be planted in a raised garden bed to avoid this issue. However, if planted directly in the ground, care should be taken to control the amount of watering. Plant about 4-5 inches apart and harvest in 17–25 weeks.
Planting asparagus, beans, brassicas, peas, potatoes, leeks, and chives should be avoided. Beets, carrots, cucumbers, dill, tomatoes, and parsnips are examples of symbiotic plants.

8. Spinach (USA-zone 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b)
The month of September is ideal for growing spinach. There is no set season for growing spinach. Spinach can be directly sown in the garden bed. Planting spacing is 8-12 inches and harvesting is possible in about 5-11 weeks. Symbiotic plants include broad beans, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, eggplant (aubergine), onion, peas, strawberry, and santolina.

9. Chives (USA-zone 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 10a, 10b)
Chives are most vigorous in the spring and fall and can be sown directly in the garden bed. Plant them 2 inches apart and harvest them in 7-11 weeks. Carrots, tomatoes, parsley, and apples are examples of symbiotic plants.

10. Collards (USA-zone 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b)
Collards are sun-loving, but they are also very cold-tolerant. Collards can be directly planted in the raised garden bed. Plant them 16-20 inches apart and expect to harvest them in about 8-11 weeks. Planting near climbing (pole) beans, tomatoes, peppers (chilli, capsicum), eggplant (aubergine), strawberries, and mustard should be avoided. Dwarf (bush) beans, beets, celery, cucumbers, onions, marigold, nasturtium, rhubarb, and aromatic herbs are examples of symbiotic plants.