September Sowing Guide: 9 Fast-Growing Crops for a Bountiful Fall & Winter Harvest

As summer’s warmth begins to fade, many gardeners assume the growing season is over—but that couldn’t be further from the truth. September is one of the best months to sow cold-hardy crops that thrive in cooler temperatures, extend your harvest into winter, and even set the stage for early spring bounty. Whether you're a market gardener looking to diversify your late-season offerings or a home grower eager to keep fresh greens on the table, strategic September planting can transform your garden’s productivity.

In this guide, we’ll dive into nine resilient crops—from peppery arugula to sweet winter carrots—that germinate quickly, tolerate frost, and even improve in flavor after a light chill. You’ll learn:

• Which varieties mature fastest (some in under 30 days!)
• How to protect plants from early frosts with low-cost methods
• Pro tips for succession planting to stagger harvests
• Why garlic planted in fall yields bigger, more flavorful bulbs
• How to turn "winter kill" into a myth with simple season extension

Plus, we’ll share real-world examples from Modern Farmer and other experts, along with YouTube tutorials to visualize the process. By the end, you’ll have a customized September sowing plan tailored to your climate—whether you’re in a mild coastal zone or a region with heavy snowfall.

Spoiler: Some of these crops, like mizuna and tatsoi, can overwinter and regrow in spring with minimal protection. Others, like radishes and beets, sweeten up after a frost, making them tastier than their summer-grown counterparts. Let’s dig in!