• Lettuce: Lettuce varieties like leaf lettuce and romaine can be planted in September. They thrive in cooler temperatures and can be harvested for salads.
• Spinach: Spinach is another cool-weather vegetable that can be planted in September. It’s rich in nutrients and can be used in salads or cooked dishes.
• Kale: Kale is a nutritious leafy green that grows well in cooler weather. It can be used in salads, smoothies, or cooked dishes.
• Radishes: Radishes are quick-growing root vegetables. They can be planted in September and harvested within a few weeks for a crispy and spicy addition to salads.

Looking for a fun variety of cool season veggies? Check out this variety pack of cool-season vegetable seeds by Organo Republic! With 25 organic seed types to choose from this fun set has many options that are ideal for the Midwest and other northern regions. The packaging will help the seeds remain shelf stable for years, so you can enjoy a fall harvest well into the future! (This makes a great gift for gardeners of all ages!)

• Mums (Chrysanthemums): Mums are popular fall-blooming flowers available in various colors. They add vibrant splashes of color to gardens and containers during the autumn months.
• Asters: Asters are daisy-like flowers that come in shades of pink, purple, and white. They bloom in late summer and fall, attracting pollinators to the garden.
• Stonecrop: These succulent-like plants are cold weather bloomers, usually starting in late August. Stonecrops boast large, pink clusters of blooms that can last well into the first frost of the season.

• Coneflowers (Echinacea): Coneflowers are hardy perennials that come in various colors, including shades of pink, purple, and white. They are attractive to pollinators and can add a splash of color to your garden.
• Daylilies (Hemerocallis): Daylilies are reliable perennials with a wide range of flower colors and forms. They thrive in various soil types and are relatively low-maintenance.
• Black-Eyed Susans (Rudbeckia): Black-eyed Susans are native wildflowers that produce bright yellow or orange-yellow flowers with dark centers. They are loved by pollinators and provide a cheerful touch to the garden.
• Hostas: Hostas are shade-loving perennials known for their lush foliage. While they might not have showy flowers, their leaves come in various shapes and sizes, adding texture to your garden.
• Astilbes: Astilbes thrive in moist, shady areas and produce feathery plumes of flowers in shades of pink, white, and red. They add a touch of elegance to shade gardens.
• Bleeding Hearts (Dicentra): Bleeding hearts have unique heart-shaped flowers that dangle from arching stems. They prefer partial shade and can create a romantic look in your garden.
• Siberian Irises: Siberian irises produce elegant, iris-like flowers in various shades of blue, purple, and white. They are well-suited to wetter areas of the garden.
• Liatris: Liatris, also known as blazing star or gayfeather, produces tall spikes of purple or white flowers. These native flowers are magnets for butterflies and bees.
• Sedums: Sedums, also called stonecrop, are drought-tolerant perennials that come in various shapes and sizes. They often have succulent foliage and produce clusters of star-shaped flowers.
• Hellebores: Hellebores, or Lenten roses, are early-blooming perennials that produce nodding flowers in shades of pink, white, and purple. They can bloom even in late winter.
• Hardy Geraniums: Hardy geraniums, or cranesbills, are versatile perennials with various flower colors. They’re known for their long bloom periods and easy-care nature.

• Tulips: Tulips are classic spring-blooming bulbs that can be planted in September. They come in a range of colors and add a burst of color to gardens in the spring.
• Daffodils: Daffodils, also known as narcissus, are another popular spring bulb. They have bright yellow or white flowers and are often deer-resistant.
• Crocuses: Crocuses are early spring bloomers that come in various colors. They’re among the first flowers to appear after winter.

Use this bulb planting tool by Dewayna to plant your bulbs in half the time! This unique tool measures 4″ down (the ideal depth for most bulbs) and can dig, plant, and transplant your bulbs with one simple motion. This has been a game changer for us!

• Garlic: Garlic cloves can be planted in the fall for a summer harvest the following year. Plant individual cloves, and they will grow into bulbs that can be harvested and used in cooking.
• Onions: ​Onion sets are a great option for cool weather planting. Look for onions that are specifically suited for colder climates, as these will over-winter the best and result in large onions next spring.

• Winter Rye: Winter rye is a common cover crop choice. It helps prevent soil erosion, improves soil structure, and adds organic matter to the soil when it’s turned under in the spring.

• Parsley: Parsley can be planted in September and will continue to grow into the fall. It’s a versatile herb used in a variety of dishes.
• Chives: Chives are perennial herbs that can be planted in September. They produce small onion-flavored leaves that can be used in cooking.
• Cilantro: Cilantro can be planted for a fall harvest. It prefers cooler temperatures and can be used in various culinary dishes.

If you’re eager to start herbs now and want to bring them indoors over the winter months to keep them growing, consider getting an all-in-one herb kit like this culinary herb kit by Home Grown. I personally gifted this set to several friends last fall who commented on how great this combination was for cooking. The small pots make it easy to move your plants inside and fit them on a windowsill or shelf so you can enjoy fresh herbs all winter long.

• Trees and Shrubs: Fall is an excellent time to plant trees and shrubs, as the cooler temperatures and increased moisture allow them to establish roots before winter. Consider native species adapted to your Michigan climate.
• Serviceberry: Serviceberries, also known as Juneberries, are small trees or large shrubs that produce edible berries in the spring. They offer lovely white blossoms in the spring and attractive fall color. Fall planting gives them a head start for the following year’s growth.
• Ninebark: Ninebark is a versatile shrub with attractive foliage and bark that peels in layers. It comes in various cultivars with different foliage colors, and some produce clusters of white or pink flowers in the spring. Fall planting helps these shrubs establish roots before winter dormancy.
• Japanese Maple: Japanese maples are known for their stunning foliage, which comes in a variety of colors and shapes. They are popular ornamental trees that can add a touch of elegance to your landscape. Planting Japanese maples in September is an ideal time to plant so they have time to settle in before winter.
• Red Dogwood: Red Dogwood is a deciduous shrub known for its striking red stems in winter and clusters of small white flowers in spring, adding year-round interest to the landscape. This shrub is native to Michigan. Fall is the best time to plant dogwood as the soil temperatures help root growth prior to the first frost.