Fall · September 8, 2026

City of Albany, New York

Great Lakes & St. Lawrence Lowlands·Hardiness zone 6a

Now

24°C · Partly cloudy

Today

26° / 12°

Soil 6 cm

18°C

First frost

~49 days (Oct 27)

Gardening in City of Albany

AI field guide · refreshed weekly

Albany Gardening: Early September – Sow Fall Crops, Harvest Summer, Prepare for Frost

You're in zone 6a with 49 days until your average first frost (Oct 27). Soil at 18°C (64°F) is ideal for fall seeding outdoors—cool enough to prevent bolting, warm enough for germination. Spring frost averaged Apr 26, so you've had a full 135-day growing season. Plan succession plantings now for October and November harvest; anything sown after mid-September may not mature before hard freeze.

Sow outdoors now

  • Spinach (Bloomsdale Long Standing, Space)

    Direct-seed now for 40–50 day maturity; thrives in cooling soil and tolerates light frosts. Space 10 cm (4 in) apart in rows 30 cm (12 in) apart.

  • Arugula (Roquette)

    Germinates quickly at 18°C; harvest leaves in 30–35 days. Sow every 2 weeks through mid-September for continuous fall crop.

  • Radish (Cherry Belle, French Breakfast)

    Matures in 25–30 days; cool weather improves crispness and reduces pithiness. Sow in blocks or rows 5 cm (2 in) apart.

  • Turnip (Purple Top White Globe)

    Roots and greens both edible; 60–70 days to maturity, so sow by Sept 15 for Oct harvest. Thin to 10 cm (4 in) spacing.

  • Mâche (Corn Salad)

    Cold-hardy winter green; germinates at cool temps, overwinters under mulch or row cover. Sow now for Nov–Dec and spring harvest.

Start indoors now

  • Cabbage transplants (Savoy, Red Acre)

    Start seeds indoors now for transplanting in 4–5 weeks; fall cabbage matures faster than spring and stores well. Harden off before moving outdoors.

  • Broccoli (Calabrese, De Cicco)

    Sow indoors for transplanting by late September; 55–70 days to head formation. Cool fall weather improves flavor and head density.

  • Kale (Lacinato, Winterbor)

    Start indoors now for transplanting in 3–4 weeks; frost actually sweetens the leaves. Winterbor survives to -10°C (14°F).

Harvest now

  • Tomatoes (all types)

    Pick all fruit before first frost (Oct 27); green tomatoes ripen indoors in 2–3 weeks at room temperature. Harvest daily as temps cool.

  • Peppers (sweet and hot)

    Frost kills peppers; harvest all fruit now, including green ones. Store at 10–15°C (50–59°F) for 2–3 weeks ripening.

  • Beans (snap, pole, dry)

    Pick snap beans every 2–3 days; let dry beans mature on plant until pods brown and rattle. Pull entire plant if frost threatens.

  • Squash and Pumpkins

    Cure winter squash in a warm, dry spot for 7–10 days before storage. Harvest before hard frost; cut with 5 cm (2 in) stem.

Tasks this week

  • Deadhead flowers to extend bloom; cut back perennials only after hard frost to protect crowns.
  • Water deeply if rain doesn't arrive (forecast shows only 8 mm total this week); fall plantings need consistent moisture to establish.
  • Scout for Japanese beetles and squash bugs; hand-pick or use row cover on young fall crops.
  • Stake or support tall fall brassicas (cabbage, broccoli) against wind; Sept 10 forecast shows gusts to 22 km/h (14 mph).
  • Mulch newly seeded beds lightly with straw to retain moisture and moderate soil temperature swings.

Watch out for

  • Powdery mildew thrives in cool, humid mornings; thin crowded plantings and water at soil level only.
  • Squash vine borers and cucumber beetles still active—cover young fall squash and cucumbers with row cover until flowering.
  • Deer and groundhogs intensify feeding as wild food declines; use fencing or netting on brassicas and root crops now.

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