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September brings barely cooler mornings and shorter days that assist many warm-season crops end robust. Okra is particularly productive now. Decide okra small and infrequently to maintain vegetation flowering. Harvest luffa very younger if you wish to eat it, or let fruits mature absolutely on the vine in case you are rising them for sponges.

Gardening is year-round within the low desert, so there may be virtually all the time one thing to select and one thing to plant. Cleared a mattress at present? See What to Plant in September in Arizona for fast replacements, and seize the Arizona Backyard in September printable guidelines for this month’s duties.

Fast harvest information for September (Arizona low desert)

What to Plant and Harvest in September: Low Desert of Arizona

CropReady when…The best way to harvestStorage tipOkraPods 3–5 inches, versatile when bentCut each day or each different dayUse contemporary in 2–3 days or make okra waterArmenian cucumbers12–18 inches, pores and skin agency, seeds softSnip with prunersRefrigerate 5–7 days; keep away from temps beneath 45°FPeppersFull measurement and shiny; colour by varietyCut, depart a brief stemCrisper drawer 1–2 weeks, hold dryEggplantSkin shiny, seeds paleClip with pruners, hold cap onBest at 50–55°F; brief fridge stayTomatillosHusk splits and fruit fills itTwist or snipCounter 1–2 days, then fridge as much as a weekTomatoesBreaker stage or absolutely coloredFruit slips from the stem; aroma presentRoom temp to complete ripeningSummer squash6–8 inches, tender skinCut with a little bit of stemRefrigerate 3–5 daysCantaloupeLeave to mature on the vineLift and twist (slip stage)Chill entire as much as 1 weekWatermelonCreamy floor spot, dry tendril at nodeClip with prunersChill earlier than servingLuffa (sponges)Full measurement; pores and skin yellows and dries laterLeave to mature on vineDry absolutely earlier than peeling

Harvest by crop

We will backyard year-round right here within the low desert, and it appears there may be all the time one thing to plant and harvest. Should you’re following my planting information, listed here are a number of the greens you could harvest throughout September.

Peppers

Prepared: Fruits are full-size and shiny. Inexperienced peppers are much less candy; enable full colour for optimum taste.The best way to harvest: Minimize, don’t pull. Depart a brief stem to stop tearing. Decide 1–2 instances every week to maintain the flowers setting.Hold it contemporary: Retailer dry within the crisper. Keep away from sealed luggage if condensation kinds.Troubleshooting: Pale smooth patches are sunscald. Enhance leaf cowl and water deeply however much less typically.Be taught extra: The best way to Develop Peppers

Okra

Prepared: Pods 3–5 inches. Bigger pods flip fibrous.The best way to harvest: Minimize each day or each different day. Put on sleeves if delicate to the plant.Hold it contemporary: Use inside a few days or slice and freeze. Make okra water. Troubleshooting: Manufacturing slows when pods are left to oversize. Frequent selecting retains vegetation flowering.Be taught extra: The best way to Develop Okra

Basket of colorful peppers beside pepper plants; colander of mixed squash and cucumber on purple flowers—showcasing a vibrant September harvest in Arizona.

Armenian cucumbers

Prepared: 12–18 inches whereas seeds are nonetheless smooth.The best way to harvest: Snip within the morning for crisp texture.Hold it contemporary: Refrigerate, however keep away from very chilly spots.Troubleshooting: Mulch and water constantly.Be taught extra: The best way to Develop Armenian Cucumbers

Tomatoes (over-summered vegetation)

Prepared: Decide at breaker stage to scale back cracking and hen pecks after late monsoon rains.The best way to harvest: Gently twist or clip. Type out cracked fruit and use it first.Hold it contemporary: Ripen indoors at room temperature. Don’t refrigerate unripe fruit.Troubleshooting: If vegetation look drained, right here’s how one can consider and revive over-summered tomato vegetation to allow them to produce once more in fall.Be taught extra: The best way to Develop Tomatoes in Arizona

Tomatillos

Prepared: Husks break up and the fruit fills them.The best way to harvest: Twist or snip. Take away husks earlier than storing.Hold it contemporary: Counter for a day or two, then refrigerate as much as every week.Troubleshooting: Sticky residue is regular. Rinse earlier than utilizing.Be taught extra: The best way to Develop Tomatillos

Close-up of a green tomato on the vine next to two pale yellow okra flowers with dark centers—showcasing what to harvest in Arizona during September.

Eggplant

Prepared: Pores and skin is shiny and comes again from a mild thumb press. Uninteresting pores and skin often means seeds are powerful inside.The best way to harvest: Clip with pruners and hold the cap on.Hold it contemporary: A Cool room is right. If refrigerating, hold it temporary.Troubleshooting: Scarring or bronzing could be solar or wind publicity. Enhance airflow and even watering.Be taught extra: The best way to Develop Eggplant

Summer season squash (zucchini, yellow)

Prepared: Small and tender at 6–8 inches for many varieties.The best way to harvest: Minimize with a brief stem. Frequent selecting prevents seedy giants.Hold it contemporary: Refrigerate and deal with gently to keep away from bruising.Troubleshooting: Misshapen fruit typically means low pollination. Hand pollinate within the morning if wanted.Be taught extra: The best way to Develop Summer season Squash

A hand holding zucchinis, a cantaloupe on a vine, and cucumbers growing on a trellis in a garden highlight the abundant September crops Arizona gardeners can enjoy during the harvest in September Arizona season.

Melons (cantaloupe and watermelon)

Cantaloupe prepared: Netting raised, candy aroma, and fruit slips from the stem with a mild raise.Watermelon prepared: Creamy yellow floor spot and the tendril nearest the fruit dries.Hold it contemporary: Chill entire melons earlier than serving.Troubleshooting: Cracking follows uneven watering. Hold moisture regular throughout ripening.Be taught extra: The best way to Develop Cantaloupe and The best way to Develop Watermelon

Luffa

Prepared for consuming: Decide very younger, finger-sized.Prepared for sponges: Depart on the vine till full measurement, and the pores and skin begins to yellow and dry.Tip: Dry absolutely earlier than peeling and cleansing the fibrous inside.Be taught extra: The best way to Develop Luffa

Herbs to select this month

Left: basil leaves, center: hand holding plant stakes, right: hand holding rosemary sprigs in a garden—ideal for Arizona gardening and perfect for the harvest in September Arizona.

Basil: Tip-prune above a leaf pair. By no means take away multiple third.

Lemongrass: Pull outer stalks at thumb thickness.

Woody herbs (rosemary, thyme, oregano, sage): Mild cuts typically. Morning harvest concentrates oils.Be taught extra: The best way to Develop Basil, The best way to Develop Lemon Grass

Seeds and grains to reap in September

Three panels showing green sesame, sunflower, and amaranth plants thriving outdoors in the Arizona sun, ready for a September harvest.

Sesame: Pods are brown and start to separate. Minimize stems and dry in a paper bag to catch shattering.

Sunflowers: Again of the top turns golden-brown. Cowl with mesh to guard from birds, then lower and end drying.

Amaranth: Decide child leaves at 2–4 inches, lower absolutely coloured tassels for bouquets, and for grain, wait till heads look uninteresting and seeds rub free (typically late September to November), then lower and dry beneath cowl.Be taught extra: The best way to Develop Sesame, The best way to Develop Sunflowers, The best way to Develop Amaranth

What to plant after you harvest

Two gardening calendars for September harvest in Arizona list which plants to seed indoors and outdoors, held by a person in a lush garden.

Hold beds productive by replanting instantly. See What to Plant in September in Arizona for actual timing and seed vs. transplant suggestions. Buy these calendars in my store.

Publish-harvest dealing with that issues within the warmth

Green striped melons, a highlight of September crops, soak in a metal bowl filled with ice and water.

Harvest within the morning and funky off crops shortly for the longest storage life. Retailer tomatoes at room temperature till absolutely ripe. Hold peppers and squash dry within the crisper. For watering and warmth stress suggestions, see When To Water Vegetation in Sizzling Climate.

Pests and produce high quality in September

A caterpillar, a leaf with webbing, and a green bell pepper with brown rot damage—common sights during the September harvest in Arizona.

Hornworms on tomatoes and peppers. Hand-pick early.

Whiteflies and mites on squash and cucumbers. A robust water spray and good airflow assist. Learn to take care of spider mites on this information.

Cracking and solar injury on tomatoes. Present shade and even watering, choose at first blush, and end indoors.

What’s in Bloom in September within the Low Desert of Arizona?

September marks a transition within the backyard. Summer season’s blooms proceed whereas the primary fall flowers begin to seem.

(Click on on the hyperlink for every flower’s “The best way to Develop” weblog put up.)

Doable blooms this month embody amaranth, angelonia, basil, celosia, coreopsis, cosmos, four-o-clock, gaillardia, garlic chives, gazania, gomphrena, lisianthus, luffa, mahogany splendor hibiscus, portulaca, purple hyacinth bean vine, roselle hibiscus, rudbeckia, salvia, statice, sulfur cosmos, sunflower, tithonia, verbena, vinca, and zinnia.

FAQ about September Harvests

How typically ought to okra be harvested in September?

Every day or each different day. Small pods keep tender and hold vegetation producing. See The best way to Develop Okra.

Why are common cucumbers bitter proper now?

September temperatures are sometimes too sizzling for normal cucumbers harvested this month. Extra suggestions in The best way to Stop Bitter Cucumbers.

How do I do know when eggplant is prepared?

Pores and skin ought to be shiny and bounce again from a lightweight press. Uninteresting pores and skin typically means seeds are powerful. Particulars in The best way to Develop Eggplant.

Can I nonetheless harvest tomatoes from summer time vegetation?

Sure. Decide on the breaker stage to scale back cracking and hen pecks, then ripen indoors. See The best way to Flip Inexperienced Tomatoes Crimson.