October can still bring sunny, warm days and the proverbial golden autumn. But the first autumn winds are picking up, too, and the weather can quickly turn rainy, chilly and rather unpleasant.
The garden, however, still needs our attention. From harvesting frost-sensitive crops to protecting the soil and preparing for winter, there are several important garden tasks to tackle in October.
Climate note: These October garden tasks are based on my garden in Bavaria (roughly zone 7b) and are generally suitable for temperate climates. Frost dates and sowing conditions vary considerably, so adjust the timing to your local climate and weather.
October Garden Checklist: Essential Tasks at a Glance
If you only have time for a few things, focus on these essential October garden tasks:
Harvest frost-sensitive crops before frost
Sow winter greens and plant garlic/onions
Protect remaining crops from cold
Weed and cover bare soil with mulch
Clear finished summer crops
Here’s a quick overview of the most important garden tasks to tackle in October:
Garden task
Best time in October
Priority
Sow and plant
Beginning of October
High
Harvest
Before first frost
High
Protect overwintering crops
Before first frost
High
Weeding and mulching
Before first frost
High
Remove plants from greenhouse
mid-October
Medium
Clean greenhouse
after plants have been removed
High
Save seeds
When seeds are ripe
Medium
Turn compost
Beginning of October
Medium
Empty water containers
Before first frost
High
Still catching up on late-summer jobs? Have a look at my September garden tasks to see what may still need doing in your garden.
Sow and Plant
Yes, you read that right. Although the season is galloping toward frosty nights and colder weather, there are still some vegetables we can sow and plant in October, either for a winter harvest or for the next season.
Garlic and overwintering onion sets should be planted now outdoors to give them a head start for the next season.
And you can still sow cold-hardy lettuce, lamb’s lettuce and other greens in October. In my zone 7b, it’s better to sow in the greenhouse as temperatures can already be too low for seeds to germinate. In the greenhouse or cold frame, however, they have enough protection from the cold that they’ll start growing.
In a rainy month, this may be overlooked, but vegetables in the greenhouse or cold frame, especially seedlings, may need to be watered. Check your plants twice a week and water them if necessary.
Harvest
Autumn lettuces like endives and radicchio should either be harvested now or protected with a winter fleece from the cold. Although many autumn varieties tolerate some cold, repeated or harder frosts can damage the leaves.
Pumpkins, on the other hand, should definitely be harvested before the first frost. Prolonged exposure to cold temperatures can damage the fruits and reduce their storage life.
I also harvest white and red cabbage now and make different ferments from them. If you’re new to fermentation, you may want to read this simple guide to lacto-fermented vegetables first.
Tender young plants and leafy vegetables like spinach, cold-hardy lettuce, lamb’s lettuce and other leafy greens should be protected from frost with a protective fleece.
When the weather forecast predicts (night) frosts, I head out to the garden and cover my precious greens with horticultural fleece. Lay it loosely over the plants rather than pulling it tight, and weigh down the edges with stones, boards or branches so that the wind can’t carry it away.
Keep Weeding
I know it’s tempting to let the weeds grow on the bed. After all, whether the soil is covered by weeds or green manure doesn’t make a difference, right?
Unfortunately, it does.
Many weeds continue growing surprisingly well in cool weather.
If you leave them now, they’ll compete with your remaining crops and may set seed or establish strong root systems before spring arrives.
Pull them while they’re still manageable. You can compost most weeds that haven’t gone to seed or — my preferred method — simply leave suitable pulled weeds on the bed as mulch.
Which brings us neatly to the next October garden task.
Mulching
I never like leaving my soil unprotected in winter. Either there are still vegetables growing in a bed, I’ve sown green manure, or I cover the soil with a generous layer of mulch.
Keeping the soil covered helps protect it from heavy autumn and winter rain, reduces erosion and provides food and shelter for soil organisms.
Pulled weeds make perfectly good mulch as long as they haven’t gone to seed and aren’t carrying problematic diseases. Dry grass clippings, straw and partly decomposed compost are other useful materials you may already have around the garden.
Fallen leaves are another valuable source of mulch at this time of year. I use healthy leaves on my beds or add them to a separate pile to break down into leaf mould. If you’re gradually putting your whole garden to bed now, my autumn garden cleanup guide takes you through the process step by step.
There’s no need to make it complicated. The important thing is simply not to leave living soil naked throughout winter.
Want a reminder of what to do in the garden each month? Get seasonal garden tasks, sowing ideas and practical tips delivered straight to your inbox — so you always know what needs doing next.
Compost Care
If you have a compost heap, October is a good time to check it and turn it if necessary. Material that hasn’t broken down yet can be mixed with dry “brown” material such as straw or autumn leaves. This helps balance a heap that’s become too wet and prevents dense layers of green material from becoming compacted and soggy.
Mature compost can be spread over empty beds now. I like to loosen compacted soil gently with a digging fork first: simply push the fork into the soil, wiggle it slightly and pull it out again without turning the soil over. Then spread the compost on top and let worms and other soil organisms gradually incorporate it for you.
Lastly, cover the bed with mulch to protect the soil throughout winter.
Remove Tomato Plants
By October, the tomatoes still hanging on my plants are unlikely to ripen properly outdoors. Rather than waiting for cold weather to damage them, I remove the remaining fruits and let suitable mature green tomatoes ripen indoors.
Some years, this means we’re still eating our own tomatoes well into November — occasionally even December.
Once the fruits have been harvested, I remove the plants. Healthy tomato plants can go onto the compost heap. Plants showing signs of serious disease, however, are better kept out of a home compost system if you’re not confident that it gets hot enough to destroy the pathogens.
Clear And Clean The Greenhouse
When all those tomato and pepper plants have been cleared from the greenhouse, it’s time to give it a thorough cleaning, as well. This is especially vital if some plants had diseases. But even if all the plants had been healthy to the last day, I always wash the greenhouse walls inside. You wouldn’t believe how much dirt and plant residue are on the plastic film covering my greenhouse. I usually spray them with diluted soft soap and wash them off with clear water. The remaining soap won’t do any harm to the soil’s microorganisms.
I also clean all stakes I used for tomatoes and peppers thoroughly with a disinfectant. Again, this can help to prevent diseases from spreading.
Two years ago, the dreaded blight found its way into my greenhouse, and by October every single plant in there was infected. I removed every plant part I could find and discharged it in the communal recycling bin. Afterwards, I washed down the greenhouse film with soft soap and disinfected all stakes and tools I had used in there. And lastly, I exchanged the soil. It was a hell of a job to remove all 3 cubic meters of soil from the house, store it on a large film on the meadow, get “new” soil from the garden and finally fill up the garden with the greenhouse soil.
It worked, though. No sign of the blight until today.
Save Seeds For Next Year
Vegetables aren’t the only things you can harvest in October — it’s also time to collect some of next year’s seeds.
Lettuce plants that were allowed to flower and set seed earlier in the season may now have mature seeds ready to collect. Let them dry thoroughly before storing them in labelled paper envelopes or bags somewhere cool and dry.
You can still save seeds from fully ripe tomatoes, too, although I usually do this in August and September. My guide on how to save tomato seeds takes you through the process step by step.
Seeds from ripe peppers and chillies can also be collected now. Let them dry thoroughly before storing them somewhere cool, dark and dry until it’s time to start them again next year.
One important note: saving seed is most reliable from open-pollinated varieties. Seeds collected from F1 hybrids won’t necessarily produce plants identical to their parents.
Empty Watering Equipment
I have a 1,000-litre water tank in my garden that collects rainwater from the greenhouse roof. Before temperatures drop below freezing, I empty the tank and leave the tap open. I also disconnect the downpipe so that rainwater is diverted onto the meadow instead of refilling the tank. Water expands when it freezes and could otherwise damage the container.
The same goes for watering cans and other containers that may still hold water. I empty mine and store them either in the greenhouse or in the basement until they’re needed again.
Create Winter Shelter for Wildlife
While we’re protecting plants and soil, let’s not forget the wildlife that shares our gardens.
Insects, birds, hedgehogs and many other creatures have spent the growing season pollinating flowers, eating pests and contributing to the garden ecosystem. In autumn, one of the best things we can do for them is actually to tidy up a little less.
Leave some flower and herb seed heads standing instead of cutting everything down. Birds can feed on the seeds, while hollow stems and dead plant material provide shelter for insects.
A pile of twigs, branches and leaves tucked into a quiet corner can become valuable winter shelter for insects and other small animals — and perhaps even a hedgehog.
You can also bundle hollow, dry plant stems and leave them in a sheltered spot. Rather than making the garden perfectly tidy for winter, leave a few places deliberately undisturbed.
Sometimes, one of the best October garden tasks is knowing what not to do.
Common Gardening Mistakes in October
October is a month of transition. The growing season isn’t quite over, but winter is getting closer. Here are some common mistakes to avoid when preparing your garden for the colder months.
Leaving frost-sensitive crops outside for too long
It’s tempting to leave pumpkins, tomatoes and other tender crops outside for just a little longer, especially when October brings a few warm and sunny days. Keep an eye on the weather forecast, though. One cold night can damage crops that would otherwise have stored or ripened perfectly well indoors.
Leaving the soil bare over winter
Once a bed is empty, don’t leave the soil exposed to autumn and winter weather. Heavy rain can cause erosion and nutrient loss, while a layer of mulch, green manure or overwintering vegetables protects the soil and supports soil life.
Stopping watering altogether
Cooler weather means plants need less water, but that doesn’t mean they need none at all. Crops growing in a greenhouse or cold frame are protected from autumn rain and can still dry out. Check the soil regularly rather than watering according to a fixed schedule.
Being too thorough with the autumn clean-up
Not everything needs to be cut down and cleared away. Seed heads can provide food for birds, hollow stems shelter insects, and piles of leaves and branches create valuable winter habitat. Remove diseased plant material and anything that causes problems, but leave a few untidy corners for wildlife.
Leaving weeds until spring
Weeds don’t necessarily stop growing just because summer is over. Many continue growing during mild autumn weather and may set seed or develop stronger root systems. Removing them now makes spring considerably easier.
Forgetting about water containers and watering equipment
Water expands when it freezes and can damage water butts, containers, hoses and watering equipment. Empty anything that could be damaged before persistent frosts arrive and store smaller items somewhere protected.
Saving seeds from unsuitable plants
Not every seed is worth saving. Seeds should come from healthy, mature plants, and open-pollinated varieties are the most reliable choice if you want plants similar to their parents next year. Seeds from F1 hybrids may produce very different results.
Frequently Asked Questions About October Garden Tasks
What should I do in the garden in October?
October is mainly about harvesting frost-sensitive crops, protecting vegetables that will remain in the garden, clearing finished plants, weeding and covering bare soil. It’s also a good time to clean the greenhouse, take care of the compost heap, save seeds and prepare watering equipment for freezing temperatures.
What vegetables can I still sow in October?
Depending on your climate, you can still sow cold-hardy crops such as lamb’s lettuce, spinach and winter lettuce. In colder climates, a greenhouse or cold frame provides more reliable conditions for germination and early growth. Garlic and overwintering onion sets can also be planted outdoors for next year’s harvest.
Should I clear my vegetable garden in October?
Not completely. Remove finished or diseased plants and weeds, but leave overwintering vegetables in place. Bare beds can be covered with mulch or green manure. And outside the vegetable beds, consider leaving some seed heads, stems, leaves and branches to provide food and shelter for wildlife.
Should I mulch my vegetable garden in October?
Yes. October is an excellent time to cover empty beds with organic material such as autumn leaves, straw, dry grass clippings, suitable pulled weeds or partly decomposed compost. Mulch protects the soil from heavy winter weather and provides habitat and food for soil organisms.
Do I still need to water my garden in October?
Possibly. Outdoor beds often receive enough autumn rain, but plants in greenhouses and cold frames may still need watering. Newly planted crops can also need water during dry spells. Check the soil before watering rather than assuming that cooler weather means watering is no longer necessary.
When should I protect vegetables from frost?
Keep an eye on your local weather forecast rather than relying on a particular date. When night frosts are expected, protect suitable cold-hardy leafy crops with horticultural fleece and harvest frost-sensitive crops beforehand.
Can I put old vegetable plants on the compost heap?
Healthy plant material can usually be composted. Be more cautious with plants showing signs of disease, particularly if your home compost heap doesn’t reach high temperatures. Diseased material may need to be disposed of separately to reduce the risk of carrying problems into next season.
Is October too late to prepare the garden for winter?
Not at all. October is actually an ideal time to begin preparing the garden for winter. You don’t have to do everything at once: harvest and protect vulnerable crops first, then gradually clear finished plants, cover empty beds and prepare equipment as the weather gets colder.
Follow the seasons with me Get practical ideas for growing, preserving and making the most of each season — one project at a time.
October is the time of pumpkins, cold nights and shorter days. Many of our vegetables that have produced fruit abundantly throughout summer slow down or stop growing now, and the fruit they’re still bearing won’t have a chance to ripen. You see, one of the main garden tasks in October is harvesting what’s still there and preparing our gardens for winter. But if you think that the time for sowing is over now, think again. There are still several vegetables we can (and must!) sow and plant in October – either for winter harvest or to prepare for the next season.
Quick reference: What to sow and plant in October
Here’s a cheat sheet of what you can sow and plant in October:
Vegetable
Outdoors
Greenhouse / Cold frame
Harvest
Spinach
Early October, hardy varieties
Yes
Late autumn / early spring
Winter lettuce
Only with protection / mild areas
Yes
Winter / early spring
Winter cress
Yes, depending on conditions
Yes
Winter / spring
Asian salad leaves
With protection
Yes
Autumn / winter
Lamb's lettuce
Rather late outdoors
Yes
Winter / early spring
Green manure
Yes
--
Soil protection
Garlic
Plant outdoors
Summer
Overwintering onions
Plant outdoors
--
Early summer
Climate note: October looks very different depending on where you garden. In my zone 7b garden in southern Germany, early October can still be mild, but frost is increasingly likely as the month progresses. In warmer climates, you may still be able to sow some of these vegetables outdoors, while gardeners in colder regions will need to move under cover sooner.
With daylight declining by the, well, day, plants grow much more slowly now. Temperature is another important factor: while October days can still be surprisingly warm, nights are increasingly chilly, and the first frosts may arrive.
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Vegetables to Sow in October
Spinach
Spinach is wonderfully undemanding once established. Just make sure to choose a cold-hardy variety and sow it in rows.
In my garden, I still sow hardy spinach into gaps in early October, especially after harvesting crops such as beetroot, carrots or cabbage. Later in the month, however, I prefer sowing it in the greenhouse or cold frame. With the added protection against low temperatures, you can harvest spinach growing there even when temperatures drop below freezing.
Cold-hardy Lettuce
You can still sow cold-hardy winter lettuce in October, although in my climate I prefer to grow it in the greenhouse or cold frame now. It won’t grow into large heads anymore, though. Instead, I sow it more closely than I would for full heads, leaving about 10 cm (4 inches) between plants. That way, it will grow more tightly together, and I can harvest the outer leaves, just like a cut-and-come-again salad.
Winter cress
Winter cress tastes similar to the cress we often grow on the window sills in spring, and I love it in stews or as an addition to salad. It’s not the same plant as spring cress, though, so don’t simply use the familiar cress we sow indoors.
Sow winter cress now in the greenhouse or cold frame, so that you can harvest it during winter.
Asian greens
If you like salad leaves with a little more heat, you’ll probably enjoy Asian salad greens. Mizuna, mibuna and various mustards are good options. Besides their spicy taste, they also add some colour to your salad bowl, as many Asian greens have red and/or intricately shaped leaves.
Sow them like cut-and-come-again salad in rows with about 10 cm (4 inches) between the plants.
Lamb’s lettuce
In my climate, October is generally too late to sow lamb’s lettuce outdoors reliably, but I still sow it in the greenhouse or cold frame. With the additional protection from cold temperatures, it still has time to germinate and grow, and you can harvest it even when there’s snow outside.
Green manure
In my garden, I don’t want to cover every inch with vegetables during the winter. On the other hand, the soil should never lie bare either. A good method to make sure it’s covered is by sowing green manure wherever there are gaps in the beds. Good varieties you can still sow in October are grazing rye and winter field beans.
Unlike many vegetables, these crops aren’t grown primarily for harvest. They protect bare soil from erosion and nutrient loss over winter, while their roots help maintain soil structure.
What to Plant in October
While it may sound unusual, you can still plant in October. Not much, admittedly, but now is the optimal time to plant garlic and overwintering onions.
Garlic
Break up the bulb so that you get out the single cloves.
Choose garlic bulbs that have ideally been cultivated near where you live. That way, you can be sure that the plants are adapted to your climate. I mostly use garlic bulbs I’ve grown myself. After the harvest, I set aside some bulbs with large cloves for October planting.
Break open the bulbs and remove the cloves. Put them into the soil with the pointed end facing upwards, cover them with soil and water them. Once they’ve sprouted, I cover the plants with mulch and “forget” them until next spring. In my detailed guide on how to grow garlic, you’ll find the process described in detail.
Garlic planted in October is usually ready to harvest the following summer — in my garden, that’s typically in July.
Onions
Like garlic, overwintering onion varieties can also be planted in autumn. Make sure you buy autumn-planting onion sets, as summer varieties won’t survive the winter outdoors.
Plant the onion sets into the bed (pointy end upwards) and cover them with soil. When the shoots are about 10 cm (4 inches), I cover them with mulch during the winter to keep them and the surrounding soil protected.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is October too late to sow vegetables?
No, but growth slows considerably as temperatures and daylight levels decrease. Choose cold-hardy varieties and don’t expect the fast growth you would see in spring or summer. In colder climates, a greenhouse, cold frame or fleece can extend the sowing season considerably.
What vegetables can I sow in October?
In October, you can still sow several cold-hardy leafy vegetables, including spinach, winter lettuce, winter cress and Asian salad leaves. In colder climates, many of these crops will grow more reliably in a greenhouse, cold frame or under a cloche. You can also sow winter-hardy green manure on empty beds to protect the soil over winter.
What can I plant in October for next year?
October is an excellent time to plant garlic and overwintering onion sets for harvesting the following summer. In milder climates, broad beans can also be sown in autumn for an earlier crop the following year.
Can I sow spinach in October?
Yes, especially early in the month and if you choose a hardy overwintering variety. In colder regions, sowing spinach in a greenhouse or cold frame is more reliable. Late-sown spinach may produce only a small amount of growth before winter, then start growing again when temperatures and daylight increase in spring.
Is it too late to sow lamb’s lettuce in October?
For outdoor sowing, October can be too late in colder climates because germination and growth become very slow. However, you can still sow lamb’s lettuce in a greenhouse or cold frame, where the additional protection gives it a better chance to establish and provide winter or early-spring harvests.
What green manure can I sow in October?
Cold-hardy green manures such as grazing rye and winter field beans can still be sown in October. They cover otherwise bare beds during winter, help reduce erosion and nutrient loss, and can improve the soil for the following growing season.
Do I need to protect October sowings from frost?
It depends on the crop and your climate. Hardy vegetables can tolerate cold conditions once established, but young seedlings are generally more vulnerable. Fleece, cloches, a cold frame or an unheated greenhouse can provide useful protection and help plants establish before winter.
General garden tasks in October
Here are some of the most important garden tasks now. For a full list, read my comprehensive guide on garden tasks in October.
Harvest
Harvest late brassicas like red and white cabbage, radicchio, endives and – if you still have – pumpkins. While the former can tolerate light frosts, pumpkins should be harvested before the first frost if you want to store them. Watch the weather forecast like a hawk and bring those precious fruits in before the frost destroys them.
Protect vegetables
Vegetables like spinach and lamb’s lettuce benefit from some protection now, especially if you want to keep harvesting them well into winter. For that purpose, I throw a protective garden fleece over them and weigh it with stones or sticks so that the wind can’t blow it away. That way, the vegetables can be harvested for a prolonged time, sometimes even right into winter.
Mulching
Some of my beds are still covered with late vegetables like Brussels sprouts, savoy cabbage or leeks or newly sown spinach, lettuce or green manure. Yet, not every inch of my garden is full of vegetables and herbs like in spring and summer. Where there are gaps from newly harvested plants (or where I missed the sowing gap for winter veggies), I cover the soil thickly with mulch to protect it from the cold and rain. Dried grass clippings, leaves, healthy crop residues or half-rotted compost are perfect to use as mulch on our beds.
October sowing summary
One day it’s still sunny and bright, and the next day, harsh autumn winds and cool temperatures make us hurry indoors. Even though it can still be very warm and lovely in October, the receding daylight reminds us that summer’s over and darker and colder times lie ahead.
Depending on your climate, you can still sow (and even plant) vegetables in October, but most of them will do better in the protected environment of a greenhouse or a cold frame. Admittedly, the plants will take longer to germinate and grow, but every fresh leaf we can devour in winter will not only contribute to a healthy diet but also be a welcome change from preserved food.
Grab your seed packets, bulbs and cloves and head out to the garden. A little sowing and planting now can mean fresh leaves through winter and the first harvests of next year’s growing season. And when you’re picking that first bowl of fresh salad on a cold winter day, you’ll be rather grateful to your October self.
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These September reflections are part of the Seasonal Reflections series — a year-long practice of living with the rhythm of nature.
Psst, can I tell you a secret? September is my favourite month – don’t tell the other months I said that! Whether it’s because of the cooler nights and vibrant colours of early autumn, the back-to-school energy boost, or simply because my birthday’s in September, I do not know. It’s probably the combination of all three. In fact, to me, September feels like a second May with clear, bright blue skies, fresh, vibrant greens and a promising new energy.
👉 In these September reflections, we’ll explore seasonal living in September — from the garden and kitchen to simple ways of making the most of late summer.
After the (more or less) unstructured days of endless summer heat, when we preferred to take a swim in the river, lake, or sea rather than tackle too many tasks, September’s more moderate temperatures bring back our sense of duty and responsibility. And just in time! The garden is still overflowing with ripe vegetables, the orchard is heavy with autumn fruit, and the elderberries are ready to be picked.
We’re on the home stretch of preserving all Mother Nature’s gifts. In a few weeks, the gardening season will come to an end, and September asks us to preserve this abundance before that particular harvesting window closes.
The days grow rapidly shorter now. When I get up in the morning for work, it’s dark again outside. Sometimes, when I drive to work, mists hover in the dips of meadows and fields, cloaking the familiar landscape in something mystic and unknown. On weekends, when I’m early in the garden, I find intricate spider webs on the fence that are embellished with dewdrops, like pearls on a string.
By the end of September (depending on the temperature), the first leaves on the trees will change their colour, ushering in a beautiful golden autumn. In Bavaria, we call those warm, sunny and golden autumn days “Altweibersommer”. This is often translated as “old wives’ summer”, yet another explanation is that it describes the time when fine spider threads float through the air, lending the season a magical gold-shimmering touch.
Nature in September
Now that the grain has been harvested and the last grass has been cut, the farmers are busy bringing the corn in. Later in the month, the potatoes are ready to be pulled from the earth. I remember when I was a child, coming back from school, having a quick lunch, and cycling out to the fields to help on the harvester till it was time to milk the cows.
Flower gardens overflow with an abundant, often second bloom. Roses and phlox take the stage again, while anemones, chrysanthemums and sedums make their first appearance, creating a burst of colour. When the first red and yellow leaves fall and mix with the flowers, I can’t get enough of that beautiful sight! It’s so full of life.
In the vegetable garden, we can still harvest tomatoes, zucchini, peppers, beans and lettuce. At the same time, early white and red cabbage heads are ripe, and we can make the first sauerkraut of the season. Never made it before? Don’t worry, in this easy recipe for homemade sauerkraut, I show you how it’s done.
September Garden Tasks
Now we help our vegetables get to the finish line (that is: harvest) without pests or diseases damaging them before their time. Yes, this is still a topic in September, and I check on my green friends every other day for signs of infection or infestation.
Whenever I harvest plants, I close the gaps by sowing spinach, radishes, lamb’s lettuce and rocket salad for a harvest in late autumn and winter. But that’s not all: we can even sow some plants like broad beans and cold-hardy salads now. In zones 6 – 8, they can overwinter in the garden and be ready for harvesting early next spring. Here’s a comprehensive list of vegetables you can sow in September for an abundant harvest year-round.
The greatest garden task in September, though, is harvesting! It’s so satisfying to fill my baskets and containers with loads of beans, tomatoes, zucchini, cabbages, corn ears, peppers, herbs and much more. At the end of the month, we can also harvest pumpkins, a second batch of kohlrabi, cauliflower and broccoli and the first autumn lettuce like radicchio, endives and chicory.
Having harvested what’s ripe now, I carry my full baskets into the kitchen.
September in the Kitchen and at Home
Preserving work in the kitchen hasn’t changed much compared to August or July; it’s still fermenting-freezing-drying-canning-making-jams season, my friends! Only the ingredients alter slightly.
From the orchard, blueberries slowly make way for blackberries and elderberries; pears and apples are joined by plums. I love making jam from the berries and freezing the rest. That way, I’ve always got some stock for a quick cake or as a healthy addition to a morning cereal bowl. The pears I love to preserve by canning them with sugar syrup in a water-bath canner or making jam from them. The method differs slightly from making jam from berries, but in this recipe for pear jam, I show you the basic steps. If you feel adventurous, why not try one of these pear jam variations?
Apples are mostly preserved in the form of apple sauce in my household, seeing as my boys consume at least one jar per week. But I make some jars of dry-canned apples for a quick Apfelstrudel or pie-filling. From the scraps, I make loads of apple vinegar each year.
Before temperatures drop too low, I harvest all my basil in the greenhouse in the garden and make a last batch of pesto. If the harvest is large enough, I dry some of the basil for tea. It tastes sweet and light and mixes well with lemon balm and calendula. I dry other herbs like mint, thyme and oregano on a rack for winter.
The back-to-school, it’s-a-home-stretch, let’s-do-this-before-winter-comes energy of September is certainly very helpful for all that simply must be done now. I’m grateful for my newly-found motivation and focus now, don’t get me wrong. It’s almost like in March when I felt my energy levels rise anew and couldn’t wait to get out into the garden.
However, it’s easy to load too much onto our task plates now. With shorter days, I find it more demanding to work long hours. While it was easy to stay up late in July, I get tired by nine now when it has already been dark for almost an hour. Maybe I was a chicken in a former life, craving to snuggle in as soon as the sun sets… Anyway, to accomplish all I want, I know I have to set aside time for myself to make sure I can keep going at my self-induced pace. Let me show you what I do:
Self-Care for Body…
With shorter days and cooler temperatures, I suddenly crave more hearty dishes. A bowl of hot potato soup, roasted root vegetables or simply some cooked beans and cabbage from the garden are what I want now. While cold food like cucumbers and tomatoes were fine during the summer months, I now want something hot and nourishing in September.
To balance that kind of healthy meal, I love some apple pie or plum cake for dessert. Nothing like a large piece of “Augsburger Zwetschgendatschi”, a plum cake with yeast dough and a crumb topping that’s Augsburg’s signature cake, with a healthy dollop of whipped cream to ward off any autumn blues!
I also love making time for exercise. Whether it’s jogging, lifting weights or simply a long stroll through the woods, movement is my key to staying healthy and fit and keeping my energy up. If I can take that movement outside and take in as much sunlight and fresh air as I can get, all the better.
…For Mind…
I’ve got my hands full already with harvesting and preserving in September, and now that school starts again, the load at work increases as well. Everyday routines haven’t established themselves yet, and sometimes it seems as if hundreds of invisible hands were tugging at me and pulling me apart.
To stay calm and keep a level head, I usually try to keep my mind as “clean” as possible. No audiobooks, no mindless scrolling, no challenging books. I’ve learned the hard way that getting too distracted and too “full” now will inevitably lead to irritation, bad sleep and making mistakes.
For that reason, I take the September weeks for a digital detox where I only check my phone twice a day to read my e-mails and respond to texts. And as hard as it is at the beginning, I realise how much calmer I am after a few days.
… And Soul
As often as I can, I go outside to get as much sunlight and fresh air as I can. It’s funny how these easy, free things can do us so much good.
When I realise that my mind is hopping from topic to topic, I sometimes grab my camera, head out and try to capture every aspect of autumn life I can see. That way, I’m not only completely “in the moment”, but I also have some good photos I can print out later for a photo board.
September is also a great time to (re-)connect with friends. In summer, everybody is either on vacation or on some beach or other, but now life has us back, and it’s lovely to meet up, sharing holiday stories or complaining about having to get back to work again 😏. I like it best to organise a gathering where everybody brings something to eat. That way, there’s plenty of food and the workload is manageable.
A New Energy
The summer heat did its best to slow us down, and, to be frank, I quite enjoyed the break. In September, however, life is starting again, and the pace accelerates once more. It’s ok, though, as our energy increases as well.
While August asked us to reflect on the year, September makes us move forward. After all, the year’s got only a few months left, and there’s still so much to do. To keep up with our own expectations, it’s important that we make time for ourselves, new energy or not. Whether it’s taking a stroll outdoors during our lunch break, deeply inhaling the fresh, crisp autumn air, or consciously watching the changes in Nature, doesn’t matter. What matters is that we take those short, conscious breaks from life’s pace to keep our energy levels sufficiently high for the next few months.
Let’s enjoy the sunny days while they last, smell the flowers, eat fresh produce from our gardens and wave summer goodbye. Autumn has arrived and with it an abundance of colour, fragrance and harvest second to none that invites us to a last fabulous dance on the stage of seasons.
Stay in Season
September may bring new energy, but the seasons never stand still for long. If you’d like a little inspiration for making the most of each one, join me in the Seasonal Simple Life newsletter.
Every few weeks, I share seasonal ideas from the garden, kitchen and pantry, along with new articles and simple projects for living a little closer to the rhythm of the year.
Come along, and let’s see what the next season brings.
Every month has its own rhythm — from quiet winter days and the first stirrings of spring to abundant summers and the slow return of autumn.
If you’d like to continue through the year with me, explore the Seasonal Reflections series and discover the small changes, seasonal rituals and everyday moments that make each month different.
A few days ago, an acquaintance said to me: “You’ll sure be glad that things are slowing down in the garden now that it’s September, aren’t you?” Very obviously, she’s not a gardener herself. Otherwise, she would know that September is one of the busiest months in the garden! Mostly it’s about harvesting and preserving said harvest, but there are a few other things we must think about now. Let’s see what garden tasks September has in store.
September Garden Checklist: Essential Tasks at a Glance
If your time is limited, concentrate on these essential September garden jobs:
Harvest ripe vegetables, fruits and herbs
Preserve surplus crops for winter
Sow late-season vegetables for your autumn and winter harvest
Clear finished crops and protect the soil with mulch
Watch the weather forecast and protect tender crops from night frosts
Climate note: These September garden tasks are based on my garden in Bavaria (roughly zone 7b) and are generally suitable for temperate climates. Adjust sowing and frost-protection dates to your local conditions.
Here’s a quick overview of the most important garden tasks to tackle in September:
Garden Task
Best Time in September
Priority
Harvesting
When plants are ripe
High
Preserving harvest
After harvest
High
Checking for diseases
Every second day
High
Sowing
After gaps form due to harvest
High
Cutting off tomato flowers
mid-September
Medium
Mulching
When beds are empty
Medium
Protect tender veggies from frost
When night frost is forecast
High
Propagate strawberries
early September
Medium
Seasons are fluid, as you know, and if you’re just transitioning from late summer into early autumn, you may want to have a look at these August garden tasks. Some jobs started last month and are still to be continued in September – especially harvesting and sowing for a late harvest.
Now let’s look at the most important September gardening jobs that will keep your vegetable garden productive through early autumn:
1. Harvest and Preserve September Crops
✔️ Why it matters: Vegetables harvested at the right time taste better and can be preserved for winter.
In my garden in Bavaria, September is the busiest harvesting and preserving month of the whole year. Many vegetables are ripe now, herbs can be cut and dried, frozen or processed a last time, and apple, pear and plum trees finally can’t hold their load any longer and shed it if we’re not quick enough to pick it.
Some vegetables like tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, beans, zucchini, etc. must be harvested when they’re ripe. If you leave them too long on the plant, they either rot or become too large (hello baseball-bat-zucchini) and tasteless.
Some root vegetables, however, like beetroots, carrots and parsnips, can stay in the soil even when they’ve reached their harvesting size. In fact, with a thick layer of mulch that protects them from the cold, they can easily stay outdoors right into winter and can be harvested as long as the soil’s not frozen solid. Carrots and parsnips can even become sweeter after exposure to cold temperatures.
Need ideas for using your September harvest? Turn freshly harvested beetroot into my quick and easy beetroot curd, preserve the seemingly endless zucchini glut with my zucchini pickles, or explore my Preserving guides for more ways to make your harvest last.
2. Remove Late Tomato Flowers
✔️ Why it matters: Help tomatoes ripen their fruits.
This may sound counterproductive, but here’s the hard truth: here in Bavaria, tomatoes that develop from flowers appearing this late in the season are very unlikely to ripen before temperatures become too cold. For that reason, I cut off all tomato flowers, helping the plants focus all their energy on ripening the tomatoes that have already formed.
✔️ Why it matters: Sowing in September prolongs your harvest through the winter months.
This may be a surprise to you (at least it would be to my acquaintance), but you can still sow vegetables in September. What you sow now will not only feed you in autumn but will make for your winter (and spring!) harvest.
Whenever you harvest a row in your patch, therefore, fill the gap with cold- and winter-hardy seeds, for example lamb’s lettuce, Asian leafy greens, spinach, Swiss chard, radishes or cress. That way, you can harvest and eat fresh produce throughout the winter.
If you’ve got a greenhouse or a cold frame, all the better: your winter vegetables will be more sheltered from cold, wind and frost, although they may still need extra protection during severe cold spells.
You can also sow vegetables now that will overwinter in the beds and can be harvested earlier next season, for example, broad beans or winter-hardy peas.
Want a reminder of what to do in the garden each month? Get seasonal garden tasks, sowing ideas and practical tips delivered straight to your inbox.
4. Clean Up Diseased and Dying Plants
✔️ Why it matters: Cleaning up prevents diseases from spreading
Although it’s comparatively late in the season, it doesn’t mean that plants can’t develop diseases. In fact, September is prime time for powdery mildew, blight and other fungal problems, especially as nights become cooler and damper.
Check your plants regularly for signs of disease and discard infected parts or plants. Don’t use heavily diseased plant material as mulch, though. I also avoid putting it on my home compost, as a small compost pile may not become hot enough to destroy certain pathogens. Dispose of it according to your local recommendations instead.
If you’ve got dead plants or parts of plants on your patches, remove them as well. If they’re not infected with any diseases, you can put them into the compost where they will decompose over the next months and transform into new, nutritious soil. Another way to use dead plants is to use them as mulch (see next point).
5. Protect Empty Garden Beds
✔️ Why it matters: Keep the soil covered to prevent erosion and deep freezing.
When we take a look at Nature, there’s no soil left uncovered. Either something grows, or it’s covered with some form of mulch. In our vegetable gardens, we want to imitate Nature.
If you don’t want to grow winter vegetables throughout your whole garden, you could sow green manure in the empty patches. Good cover plants include Phacelia, winter rye, or winter peas (not the vegetables we want to eat, but rather a more robust variety that can also be used as animal feed).
Another way to keep our beds protected is by covering them with thick layers of mulch. Dead leaves, grass clippings, cut-up remains of harvested vegetables (if not infected with diseases! see above), sheep wool – these are only a few examples of what you can use as mulch. Cover empty beds with a layer of organic mulch. Around 5–10 cm (2–4 inches) is sufficient for many materials; dry autumn leaves can be applied more generously because they settle considerably.
6. Propagate Strawberry Runners
✔️ Why it matters: Get new plants for free.
While my strawberry bed looked neat and orderly in spring, it’s covered in plants now. The strawberries have developed long stalks that spread out of the plant and have built roots where they touched the soil. That way, new strawberry plants have formed throughout my patch. I could rip them out, of course, but it would be a shame. Instead, I dig up the runners and either plant them in pots or other containers filled with compost or directly into another patch where they will bear fruit next summer.
I always choose healthy, well-rooted daughter plants, preferably those closest to the parent plant, and discard weak or diseased runners.
7. Protect Tender Crops from Early Frosts
✔️ Why it matters: One cold night can end the harvest of tender summer crops prematurely.
Admittedly, here in Bavaria we seldom have frosty nights in September, but it’s not entirely unheard of. That said, and depending on your growing zone, there could be frosty or near-zero temperatures even in September.
Keep an eye on nighttime temperatures, particularly if they are forecast to approach 0°C (32°F). Tender crops such as tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and courgettes can suffer from cold well before a hard frost, so covering them with horticultural fleece on particularly cold nights can extend the harvest. After all, it may only be one night, and the days will still be warm enough for the plants to ripen properly. It would be a pity if we just let them die before getting that pretty harvest.
Common September Gardening Mistakes
Assuming the growing season is over
September can still provide weeks or even months of productive growing. Empty beds can be replanted with fast-growing or cold-hardy crops.
Leaving ripe vegetables on the plants too long
Regular harvesting keeps many plants productive and prevents courgettes, beans and cucumbers from becoming oversized or poor in quality.
Leaving soil bare over winter
Empty beds are vulnerable to erosion, nutrient loss and weather damage. Sow a cover crop or protect the soil with organic mulch.
Sowing autumn crops too late
Day length decreases rapidly in autumn. Crops sown too late may germinate but barely grow before winter. In September, don’t postpone sowing simply because the weather is still warm.
Ignoring the weather forecast
One unexpectedly cold night can damage tender crops even when another spell of mild weather follows. Keep fleece or another suitable cover ready.
Composting or mulching diseased plants
Healthy plant residues are valuable organic matter, but heavily diseased foliage can carry problems into the next growing season.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gardening in September
What should I do in my vegetable garden in September?
September is mainly a month for harvesting, preserving, sowing cold-hardy vegetables, clearing finished crops and preparing beds for autumn and winter. You should also monitor nighttime temperatures and protect tender crops if unusually cold weather is forecast.
What vegetables can I sow in September?
Depending on your climate, September sowings can include spinach, lamb’s lettuce, winter lettuce, rocket, radishes, winter cress and Asian salad greens. Hardy overwintering peas and broad beans can also be autumn-sown in suitable climates for an earlier crop the following year.
Is September too late to sow vegetables?
No. Although warm-season crops are coming to an end, September is a good time to sow many cold-hardy vegetables. The exact sowing window depends on your climate, daylight and first-frost date.
Should I clear my vegetable garden in September?
Clear finished and diseased plants, but there is no need to leave the soil bare. Empty beds can be planted with winter crops or cover crops, or protected with organic mulch.
Should I cut the flowers off tomato plants in September?
In cool temperate climates, removing new tomato flowers in September can help the plant direct its remaining energy towards fruit that has already formed. In warmer climates with a long autumn growing season, this may not be necessary.
When should I protect vegetables from frost?
Watch your local forecast as autumn approaches. Tender crops such as tomatoes, peppers, courgettes and cucumbers benefit from protection when temperatures become very low or frost is forecast. Hardy autumn and winter vegetables usually need much less protection.
Can carrots and parsnips stay in the ground over winter?
Yes, in many climates carrots and parsnips can remain in the soil well into winter, particularly under a protective layer of mulch. Harvest them before the ground freezes solid or prolonged severe cold makes digging impossible.
What should I do with empty vegetable beds in September?
You can sow another crop, plant a green manure or cover crop, or cover the bed with organic mulch such as autumn leaves, compost or other suitable plant material. Keeping the soil covered protects it and supports soil life.
Follow the seasons with me Get practical ideas for growing, preserving and making the most of each season — one project at a time.
Why September Garden Jobs Make All The Difference
To an outsider (aka non-gardener), it may seem as if the garden season stops in September, but that is definitely not the case! In fact, there are three main pillars that not only keep the harvest going but set the basis for a healthy and fruitful garden next season:
Harvesting and preserving whatever’s ready now
Tending to our vegetables by checking for diseases and discarding infected plants
Setting the foundation for our autumn, winter and even next spring harvest.
Temperatures may have dropped a bit and days noticeably grow shorter, but harvesting is still in full swing. Alongside summer crops like tomatoes, cucumbers and zucchini, the first apples, pears and plums, as well as autumn vegetables like cabbages, are ripe now. It can feel overwhelming to stand in front of a basket (or baskets) full of freshly picked fruits and vegetables and know that they must be preserved. But imagine the joy and deep satisfaction you’ll feel when, in winter, you can “shop” in your pantry for food! That’s worth the effort you’ve got to put in right now.
If your harvest is coming in faster than you can eat it, explore my preserving guides and recipes for ideas on fermenting, pickling, canning and more.
Also, we are already preparing the ground for next year’s season. By sowing autumn and winter crops or green manure and covering empty patches with organic matter, we make sure the soil is covered and well-protected. That way, our garden can rest safely once winter comes and wake up fresh and nutritious when the new season has arrived next spring.
Looking ahead: October will bring another shift in the garden, with fewer summer crops and more preparation for the cold months ahead. Continue with my October garden tasks to see what comes next.
Wondering what to sow in September? Although one of our most time-consuming jobs right now is harvesting all those gorgeous tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, cabbage, herbs and fruits, there are still plenty of vegetables you can sow for autumn, winter and even early spring harvests.
In August, we already started sowing and planting fast-growing and cold-hardy vegetables for an autumn harvest. By September, the planting window is beginning to close for many crops in my climate, but there are still several vegetables you can sow directly wherever a gap appears.
Let me show you.
Planning your garden for the month? Have a look at my September garden tasks for everything else that needs doing in the vegetable garden right now.
Quick Reference: What to Sow in September
Here’s a cheat sheet of what you can sow in September:
Vegetable
Where To Sow
Harvest
Notes
Broad beans
Outdoors
Spring
Choose an overwintering variety
Spinach
Outdoors/Under cover
Autumn - Winter
Choose a cold-hardy variety
Winter lettuce
Outdoors/Under cover
Autumn - Winter
Protection extends harvest
Lamb's lettuce
Outdoors/Under cover
Autumn - Winter
Excellent gap filler
Radishes
Outdoors/Under cover
Autumn
Fast-growing
Winter purslane
Outdoors/Under cover
Winter
Very cold tolerant
Swiss chard
Under cover
Winter - Spring
Better protected this late
Overwintering peas
Outdoors
Spring
Choose a winter-hardy variety
Green manure
Outdoors
---
Protects empty soil
Climate note: These recommendations are based on a temperate climate similar to USDA zones 6–8. September sowing dates vary considerably depending on your first frost date, so gardeners in colder regions may need to sow earlier or use a greenhouse or cold frame.
Before You Sow: A Few Things to Consider in September
September sowing is less about rapid growth and more about cold tolerance, overwintering and getting plants established before winter.
With that in mind, sow autumn/winter vegetables into gaps immediately after harvesting summer crops.
The declining daylight means crops grow more slowly than in spring. That, and the cooler temperatures, make a greenhouse or cold frame a lot more attractive right now.
If you have an unheated greenhouse or cold frame, your September sowing options are considerably wider. Spinach, lamb’s lettuce, winter purslane, radishes, winter salads and Swiss chard all benefit from the extra protection. Growth will eventually slow as daylight decreases, but plants established now can provide harvests well into winter or start growing again very early in spring.
While many people sow broad beans in early spring (depending on your climate zone in February or March), I like sowing them in autumn. That way, they get a head-start and can be harvested some weeks earlier.
Prepare the garden patch by weeding it thoroughly and raking it smooth. Then sow the broad beans with a distance of 8 – 10 cm (3 – 4 inches) between plants and about 60 cm (2 feet) between rows. This may sound like a lot, but next May you can sow corn between the broad bean rows, like I did this season. The broad beans had largely finished by then, giving the young corn plenty of light and space.
Spinach
If I don’t know what to sow, I always come back to spinach. It’s undemanding, grows easily wherever you sow it and is such a versatile vegetable in the kitchen, for example in this spinach-lemon lasagna.
Just make sure you choose a cold-hardy variety, sow spinach in rows and be aware that growth slows dramatically once light levels and temperatures drop.
If you have a greenhouse or a cold frame, sow spinach in there as well. As temperatures are warmer there, you can harvest the spinach longer; growth will slow considerably during the coldest, darkest part of winter.
Winter salad crops and cold-hardy lettuce
Winter salad crops like radicchio, winter endives, and cold-hardy head lettuce can also be sown in September. That way, they’ll have enough time to grow before the first frost hits. Keep an eye on the weather forecast and protect them with fleece or grow them under cover once temperatures drop. This can extend your harvest and provide fresh greens well into autumn and winter.
Lamb’s lettuce
Apart from spinach, lamb’s lettuce is my favourite winter crop! It’s got a distinct, slightly nutty flavour, yet it feels smooth and velvety as you chew.
What’s more, lamb’s lettuce isn’t closely related to most vegetables we usually grow in our gardens, as it belongs to the Valerian family. That makes it particularly easy to fit into a crop rotation, and its undemanding nature also makes it a useful gap filler between other crops.
In August, I usually sow lamb’s lettuce in rows, but by September I’m so focused on preserving my harvest that I don’t care anymore and sow broadcast.
Radishes
Just in case I haven’t mentioned it in one of my earlier growing guides: radishes are fast-growing, undemanding and simply a perfect gap filler in the vegetable garden. And if you end up with more than you can eat fresh, try one of these quick and easy recipes for fermented radishes.
September is a good time to sow radishes, because the cooler temperatures, especially during the night, reduce the tendency to bolt and keep the roots crisp.
Sow them in rows and harvest them 30 days later. They’re a no-brainer.
Winter purslane
Winter purslane, also known as miner’s lettuce, is a delicate plant whose leaves are usually used in salads or mashed potatoes and vegetables.
Sow winter purslane now outdoors or in the greenhouse for a continuous harvest through winter.
Swiss chard
Now is the last chance to sow Swiss chard. I’d only do so in the greenhouse or a cold frame, though, as it may not reach its full size when cultivated outdoors. With some protection against the cold, you can harvest Swiss chard well into winter and even have an early harvest next spring when temperatures rise again.
Overwintering peas
Winter-hardy peas sown in September will overwinter as young plants in the garden and make an early crop for the following spring. They can be harvested as early as May when sown now.
One variety I like to cultivate is “Sima”.
What to Sow in Empty Beds in September
While in spring and summer, I want every square inch of my garden covered with vegetables, I don’t grow that much in autumn and winter. That’s mostly due to my lack of enthusiasm to head down to the garden when it’s freezing outside, and honestly, we can’t eat that much fresh produce in winter.
Green manure
On the other hand, I like my beds to be covered when the frosts strike, and that’s why I grow green manure on empty patches. There’s a variety of plants you can choose from, and not only do they cover the soil, but some of them, like some fodder peas, even enhance the soil with nutrients. You can read up more about green manure in my comprehensive guide on plant fertilisers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What vegetables can I sow in September?
September is a good month to sow cold-hardy and fast-growing vegetables such as spinach, lamb’s lettuce, radishes, winter purslane and winter salads. You can also sow overwintering broad beans and peas for an earlier harvest next spring. What you can sow successfully depends on your climate and first frost date.
Is September too late to sow vegetables?
No. Although the main summer sowing season is over, several vegetables can still be sown in September. The key is to choose fast-growing crops for an autumn harvest or cold-hardy varieties that can tolerate low temperatures and overwinter in the garden.
What can I sow in September for a winter harvest?
Spinach, lamb’s lettuce, winter purslane, radishes and cold-hardy salad crops are good choices for winter growing. An unheated greenhouse, cold frame or fleece can extend the harvest considerably in colder climates.
What can I sow in September for next spring?
Overwintering broad beans and winter-hardy peas can be sown in September for an earlier harvest the following spring. Some hardy leafy vegetables, including spinach and Swiss chard, may also overwinter and start producing fresh growth again when temperatures rise.
What can I sow in an unheated greenhouse in September?
An unheated greenhouse gives you more options for September sowing. Try spinach, lamb’s lettuce, winter purslane, radishes, winter salads and Swiss chard. As daylight and temperatures decrease, growth will slow, but the protection of a greenhouse can considerably extend your growing season.
Can I sow directly outdoors in September?
Yes. Cold-hardy vegetables such as spinach, lamb’s lettuce, radishes, overwintering broad beans and winter-hardy peas can be sown directly outdoors in suitable climates. If early frosts are common where you live, protect young plants with fleece, a cold frame or an unheated greenhouse.
What should I sow in empty vegetable beds in September?
If you don’t need another food crop, sowing green manure is an excellent way to cover empty beds over autumn and winter. Green manure protects bare soil, suppresses weeds and, depending on the plants you choose, can also improve soil fertility and structure.
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September Sowing Summary
September may feel like the end of the gardening season, but there’s still plenty of life left in the vegetable garden. A few rows of spinach, lamb’s lettuce or radishes can keep fresh food coming through autumn, while overwintering broad beans and peas already lay the groundwork for next spring.
And if you really don’t feel like sowing another vegetable after weeks of harvesting and preserving? Sow some green manure, cover the soil — and call it a day. The garden won’t mind.
