What to Plant in September in Florida: Our Central Florida Zone 10a Garden
Wondering what to plant in September in Florida? Here in our Central Florida Zone 10a garden, we’re still dealing with summer heat, high humidity, and plenty of garden pests.
In our backyard garden in Brevard County, we’ve been planting everything from heat-tolerant tomatoes and peppers to pumpkins, okra, crookneck squash, Malabar spinach, and fresh herbs. Some of these crops fit right into Florida’s recommended fall planting calendar, while others are part of our own gardening experiments.
And this September, we’ve learned that deciding what to plant is only half the challenge. Keeping the bugs from eating everything is the other half! Here’s what we’re planting in September in Florida, what we’re learning in our Central Florida garden, and how we’re dealing with the pests that have been showing up along the way.
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What to Plant in September in Florida: Recommended Vegetables
September is a transition month for Florida vegetable gardens. Warm-season vegetables are still an option, while fall planting opportunities begin opening up as temperatures gradually moderate. However, Florida’s planting seasons vary considerably from north to south. According to the University of Florida’s UF/IFAS monthly planting calendar , September planting options for Central Florida include:
| Planting method | Recommended vegetables |
|---|---|
| Transplants | Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, kale, collards, lettuce, Chinese cabbage, and tropical greens |
| Direct sowing | Beans, carrots, cucumbers, bunching onions, radishes, summer and winter squash, and turnips |
These are general recommendations, not guarantees that every crop will thrive in every Florida garden. Our coastal Zone 10a garden stays warm well into fall, which gives us opportunities to experiment with additional heat-loving crops. For this September, we’re concentrating on the plants we’ve already put into our raised beds and garden.
What We Planted in Our September Zone 10a Garden
Our September garden contains a mixture of vegetables, herbs, raised beds, and cattle panel trellises. We’re growing quite a few different varieties this fall, and we’re learning something new about each one.
1. Pumpkins: Seminole, Pie, and Wee-B-Little
Pumpkins are one of our biggest September gardening projects. This year, we’ve planted three varieties:
- Seminole pumpkin
- Pie pumpkin
- Wee-B-Little pumpkin
We also built a cattle panel arch trellis between our raised beds to give some of our climbing plants more room to grow. Our goal is to have pumpkin vines grow up and over the arch, creating a tunnel of leaves while keeping the plants from taking over the surrounding walkways. You can see how we built it in our DIY Cattle Panel Pumpkin Arch Trellis Between Raised Beds guide, including the complete materials list, step-by-step instructions, and full build video.
Can You Plant Pumpkins in September in Florida?
It depends on where you live and which pumpkin variety you’re growing. UF/IFAS notes that Seminole pumpkin can be planted from August through March in frost-free areas. In Central Florida, spring and early summer are more typical planting windows, though fall planting is possible when enough frost-free growing time remains.
We’re experimenting with our September planting because our coastal garden remains warm well into fall. Of everything we’ve planted, though, our pumpkins have experienced the most pest problems. We’ve encountered squash bugs, lace bugs, squash vine borers, brown stink bugs, caterpillars, pickleworms, and Sri Lankan weevils. It has definitely not been a set-it-and-forget-it project!
We’ll continue documenting how these varieties grow and whether our September planting produces a successful harvest.
2. Peppers: Sweet, Hot, and Everything in Between
September is also a big pepper month for us. We’re growing several varieties:
- Sweet banana peppers
- Hot banana peppers
- Cowhorn peppers
- Jalapeños
- Mammoth jalapeños
- Red bell peppers
- Green bell peppers
Peppers are included in UF/IFAS’s September transplant recommendations for Central Florida, making them a natural choice for a fall garden. We’ve already encountered two major pests on our pepper plants: aphids and hornworms. The aphids have been particularly frustrating because they gather around tender new growth.
We’ve been using insecticidal soap to treat some of the infestations while being mindful of the ladybugs we’ve spotted in the garden. We’re also checking for hornworms, which can chew through pepper foliage.
One of our favorite things about growing so many pepper varieties is having different options for cooking. Our homegrown jalapeños recently went into our Cast Iron Jalapeño Cheddar Cornbread with Fresh Garden Jalapeños. It’s a delicious way to turn a small pepper harvest into something the whole family can enjoy.
3. Tomatoes: Summer Set and Heatmaster
For our September tomato planting, we’re growing two varieties:
- Summer Set tomatoes
- Heatmaster tomatoes
We chose these varieties with Florida’s heat in mind. Tomatoes are included in the Central Florida September transplant window, but that doesn’t mean growing them is easy. This month, we’ve dealt with brown stink bugs, leaf-footed bugs, and hornworms. Hornworms can remove an impressive amount of foliage in a short period, so we’ve been checking the plants regularly. Leaf-footed bugs and stink bugs have also been frequent visitors.
We’re hoping the cooler temperatures later in fall will make tomato growing a little easier.
4. Okra: Burgundy and Clemson Spineless
Okra is another vegetable we’re growing in our warm Florida garden. This September, we’ve planted:
- Burgundy okra
- Clemson Spineless okra
The Burgundy variety adds some beautiful color to the garden, while Clemson Spineless is a classic green okra.
Okra is well suited to Florida’s warm conditions. UF/IFAS lists Clemson Spineless as a recommended variety and notes that Central Florida planting can extend through September. Our primary issue so far has been minor caterpillar damage. We’ve been inspecting the leaves and watching for signs of additional feeding.
5. Crookneck Squash
We’ve also planted crookneck squash this September. Summer squash is included in UF/IFAS’s September planting recommendations for Central Florida. Interestingly, our most noticeable problem with the crookneck squash hasn’t been one of the insects attacking our pumpkins. It’s been a snail! We’re keeping an eye on the leaves and watching for additional damage as the plant grows.
6. Malabar Spinach
Malabar spinach is one of the greens we’re growing during September’s remaining summer heat. Unlike traditional spinach, Malabar spinach is a tropical climbing plant that handles warm weather much better. It’s a useful option when Florida temperatures are still too high for many conventional leafy greens. We’re growing it as part of our September garden while looking forward to adding more cool-season vegetables as fall progresses.
7. Herbs: Basil, Cilantro, Culantro, Chives, and Parsley
Our September herb garden includes:
- Thai basil
- Sweet basil
- Purple basil
- Cilantro
- Culantro
- Chives
- Parsley
We love having fresh herbs available for cooking, especially when we’re using vegetables from our garden, venison, or fish and shrimp we’ve caught ourselves. Basil is particularly useful during warm weather. Cilantro and parsley are crops we’re interested in watching as temperatures begin to moderate.
We recently used our garden herbs in our Fresh Herb Venison Nachos with Garden Peppers and Whole Lane Snapper with Fresh Garden Herbs. Both are delicious ways to put a fresh herb harvest to use!
Unfortunately, our basil has also attracted a large number of aphids. We’ve been using insecticidal soap to help manage the infestations. And we’re keeping an eye out for ladybugs, which are one of the bright spots in this month’s pest battle!
September Garden Pests: What We’ve Encountered
If there’s one thing we’ve learned about September gardening in Florida, it’s that the pests are still extremely active. We’ve encountered a wide variety of insects, particularly on our pumpkins. Here’s a breakdown of what we’ve observed:
| Plant | Pests we’ve found |
|---|---|
| Pumpkins | Squash bugs, lace bugs, squash vine borers, brown stink bugs, caterpillars, pickleworms, Sri Lankan weevils |
| Peppers | Hornworms, aphids |
| Tomatoes | Brown stink bugs, leaf-footed bugs, hornworms |
| Okra | Caterpillars |
| Basil | Aphids |
| Crookneck squash | Snail |
So far, the only beneficial insects we’ve positively identified in our garden have been ladybugs. We’re happy to see them because both adult ladybugs and their larvae can feed on aphids, helping reduce pest populations naturally. The number of pests we’ve found has also encouraged us to learn more about identifying insects before treating them. Not every bug on a plant is necessarily a pest.
How We’re Managing Garden Pests in September
Rather than relying on one spray for everything, we’ve been using a combination of targeted treatments and physical removal. Our current pest-control tools include Monterey BT, Safer Brand insecticidal soap, and a RYOBI cordless handheld vacuum. Each serves a different purpose.
Monterey BT for Caterpillars and Hornworms
We’ve been using Monterey BT — Bacillus thuringiensis to treat some of the caterpillar problems in our garden. BT is a naturally occurring bacterium used in certain insect-control products. The caterpillar-targeting type works when susceptible larvae eat treated plant material. We’ve been using it as part of our efforts to manage the caterpillars and hornworms affecting our garden. However, BT isn’t effective against every pest. It isn’t intended to control adult squash bugs, stink bugs, aphids, or weevils.
Timing is also important. Caterpillar treatments are generally more effective while larvae are young and exposed. Once squash vine borers have entered stems, most insecticides cannot reach them. We also know that caterpillar-targeting BT products can affect susceptible butterfly and moth larvae, so we avoid treating non-target plants and follow the product label. Research reference: UF/IFAS, Natural Products for Managing Landscape and Garden Pests in Florida .
Safer Insecticidal Soap for Aphids
Aphids have been a persistent problem on our peppers and basil. We’ve been using Safer Brand Insect Killing Soap Concentrate to treat some of the affected plants. Insecticidal soap works through direct contact with susceptible insects. That means coverage matters, particularly where aphids hide on the undersides of leaves and around tender new growth. Unlike BT, insecticidal soap doesn’t need to be eaten by the insect to work. We’re trying to avoid spraying ladybugs and other beneficial insects directly. Insecticidal soaps can also cause plant injury under certain conditions, so we follow the product label and avoid spraying during the hottest parts of the day.
Using Our RYOBI Handheld Vacuum for Larger Pests
One of our more unconventional pest-control tools has been our RYOBI ONE+ 18V Cordless Performance Handheld Vacuum. We’ve been using it to physically remove some of the larger, hard-shelled pests from our garden. It’s particularly handy when dealing with insects that aren’t controlled by our caterpillar-targeting BT spray. Rather than trying to grab every bug individually, we can remove them using the vacuum. We’re careful to inspect the plants first so we don’t accidentally collect ladybugs, and we’re gentle around tender stems and leaves. We also make sure the collected pests are disposed of so they can’t simply return to the garden. It’s been a useful addition to our pest-control routine.
Protecting the Ladybugs in Our Garden
Ladybugs are currently the main beneficial insects we’ve positively identified. Both adult ladybugs and their larvae can feed on aphids, making them useful allies around our pepper and basil plants. We’re trying to be mindful of where and when we spray. Our goal isn’t to eliminate every insect in the garden. It’s to reduce the pests causing significant damage while allowing beneficial insects to help. We’re still learning how to balance the two.
What We’ve Learned About September Gardening in Central Florida
This September has been an interesting mix of excitement, experimentation, and frustration. We’re growing a wide variety of vegetables and herbs, but we’re also dealing with more pest problems than we’d like. Here are our biggest lessons so far.
Choose Plants That Can Handle Florida’s Heat
September isn’t the same everywhere. In our Zone 10a garden, we’re still dealing with high temperatures and humidity. Warm-season crops such as peppers and tropical greens are useful options, while more traditional cool-season vegetables may benefit from waiting until conditions are more favorable.
Inspect Plants Frequently
One of our biggest lessons has been how quickly pests can show up. We’ve found problems on our pumpkins, peppers, tomatoes, okra, basil, and squash. Checking the undersides of leaves, new growth, stems, and developing fruit helps us spot trouble earlier.
Different Pests Need Different Treatments
Our experience with BT, insecticidal soap, and physical removal has reinforced that there’s no single treatment for everything. Identifying the pest is the first step. We’re trying to choose methods based on the actual problem rather than spraying the entire garden unnecessarily.
Pay Attention to Beneficial Insects
We’ve been happy to spot ladybugs around the garden. We’re learning to look more carefully before treating plants, particularly when aphids are present. Protecting beneficial insects is part of our longer-term approach to managing the garden.
Don’t Be Afraid to Experiment
Not everything we’ve planted falls perfectly within the typical September planting window. Our pumpkin varieties are a good example. We’re experimenting with our specific coastal growing conditions and documenting what happens. If a planting struggles, that’s useful information for next season, too.
What’s Next in Our Central Florida Fall Garden?
If you’re deciding what to plant in September in Florida, remember that your location, local temperatures, and remaining growing season all matter.
As September comes to an end, we’re looking ahead to October. We’re hoping to add more cool-season vegetables, continue growing our tomatoes and peppers, and see how our September plantings progress. We’ll also continue monitoring the pumpkins and sharing what we learn about managing their pests.
Our goal with Cluck & Sprout is to document what actually happens in our backyard garden — including the successes, mistakes, and unexpected challenges. If you’re gardening in Florida, we’d love to hear what you’re planting this fall.
What are you growing in September, and which garden pests have been giving you the most trouble?