🍂 Getting Ready for Fall Gardening in South Florida

Posted by Catalina Obando on August 30, 2025

Seedlings in trays ready for planting

Seedlings waking up—hello, fall season! 🌱

While gardeners up north are winding down, fall is go-time in South Florida. Cooler mornings, gentler sun, and steady rain make September the best month to reset beds, start seeds, and map out harvests for the holidays. Below is a simple timeline for the month, plus practical steps to get your garden ready.

📅 September At-a-Glance (South Florida)

Early September (Sep 1–7): Start seeds indoors for tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, basil, parsley; refresh beds with compost.
Mid-September (Sep 10–15): Direct-sow fast growers: radish, arugula, bush beans; begin cilantro & dill from seed.
Fall Equinox (Sep 22): Symbolic “reset” day—clear old crops, top up mulch, finalize your layout, continue sowing greens.
Late September (Sep 24–30): Transplant sturdy seedlings; sow carrots & beets in loosened beds; set a consistent watering rhythm.

Tip: If a heavy rain week is forecast, pause transplants and sow right after the system passes for less stress.

🌱 Step 1 — Refresh Beds & Soil

Add organic matter: 1–2" of finished compost or a compost + worm-castings mix.
Loosen, don’t flip: Keep soil life intact; fork to aerate, then top-dress.
Mulch: After planting, add 1–2" mulch (leaves, straw, pine fines) to stabilize moisture and temp.
Fertilizer plan: Use a gentle, organic fertilizer at planting; side-dress leafy greens a few weeks later.

🌿 Step 2 — What to Start & When

Start indoors / in trays (early Sept): tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, basil, parsley. Harden off before transplanting.

Direct-sow (mid–late Sept): arugula, radish, bush beans, cilantro, dill, tatsoi, mustard greens.

Later in the month: carrots & beets (in well-loosened, rock-free soil). Keep uniformly moist until germination.

Raised bed laid out with herbs and greens for fall

Laying out transplants before planting helps with spacing & sun.

🌤️ Step 3 — Transplanting & Early Care

Choose a mild day: Cloudy afternoon or after-rain mornings reduce transplant shock.
Water in well: Give a slow, deep soak at the base; repeat next day if soil is sandy.
Shade / protection: Use light shade cloth the first 2–3 days if sun is intense.
Pest watch: Check undersides of leaves 2–3×/week; remove by hand, use neem/soap if needed.

🌼 What Thrives in Fall (Quick Lists)

Herbs

Mexican tarragon, rosemary, sage, mint (pots!), basil (early)
Cilantro & dill (direct-sow, loves cooling nights)

Greens & Roots

Arugula, kale, mustard, tatsoi, lettuces
Radish (quick), carrots & beets (steady moisture)

💧 Watering With Rainy-Season Weather

After heavy rain: Skip irrigation until the top 1–2" dries.
Seed beds: Keep evenly moist (not soggy) until germination.
Mulch helps: It reduces splash, weeds, and evaporation.

🍁 Sep 22 — Fall Equinox “Reset” Mini-Checklist

Clear remaining summer crops & tired annuals.
Top-dress beds with compost; re-mulch paths.
Direct-sow a patch of quick greens (arugula/tatsoi).
Set a weekly garden check-in: water, weeds, pests, harvest.

📘 Want exact planting ideas every month?

Grab the What to Grow by Month Guide — created specifically for South Florida so you always know what to start, sow, and transplant.

🌱 Get the Guide

Prefer to plan on paper? Browse our Digital Resources.

Here’s to a fresh, delicious season ahead. If you try any of these tips, tag us so we can cheer on your garden!

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