Now
25°C · Overcast
Today
26° / 13°
Soil 6 cm
20°C
First frost
~47 days (Oct 25)
Gardening in Grand Rapids
AI field guide · refreshed weeklyGrand Rapids Gardening: Early September – Extend Fall, Plant Spring Bulbs
You're in zone 6a with 47 days until the average first frost (October 25). Soil is still warm at 20°C (68°F), ideal for planting spring bulbs and cool-season crops. Nights are cooling fast—expect frost risk by late October. This is peak transition time: harvest summer crops, sow fall greens, and get bulbs in the ground while soil is workable.
Sow outdoors now
Spinach (Bloomsdale, Space or Tyee)
Sow directly now for October–November harvest. Germinates well in 20°C soil; thin to 10 cm spacing. Tolerates light frosts.
Arugula (Roquette)
Direct sow for 4–5 week harvest before frost. Prefers cooler weather; succession-sow every 2 weeks through mid-September.
Radish (Cherry Belle, Icicle)
Fast 25–30 day crop; sow now for late-September harvest before soil cools further. Direct sow 1 cm deep, 5 cm apart.
Mâche (Corn Salad)
Cold-hardy green for fall and winter. Sow now; germinates slowly in warm soil but thrives as temps drop. Overwinters in zone 6a.
Turnip (Purple Top, Tokyo Cross)
Sow for October harvest. Roots develop best in cooling soil; thin to 15 cm. Greens edible in 3 weeks, roots in 8–10 weeks.
Start indoors now
Kale (Lacinato, Winterbor)
Start indoors now for transplant in 3–4 weeks; will mature through November. Flavor improves after frost.
Broccoli (Waltham 29, Packman)
Sow indoors for transplant by late September; needs 60–70 days to head. Timing is tight but doable for October harvest.
Cabbage (January King, Savoy Perfection)
Start now for transplant in 3 weeks; matures in 60–80 days. Choose storage varieties for fall/winter use.
Harvest now
Tomatoes (all types)
Pick ripe fruit now; green tomatoes ripen indoors. Vines will frost-kill by late October; pull plants by mid-September if disease pressure is high.
Peppers (sweet and hot)
Harvest mature peppers; plants will produce until first frost. Pick green peppers before frost to extend harvest.
Beans (bush and pole)
Pick regularly to encourage more pods. First frost will kill plants; harvest all by late October.
Squash and Zucchini
Cut mature fruit with 2–3 cm stem; store in cool, dry place. Stop watering vines to harden skin for storage.
Tasks this week
- Plant spring bulbs (tulips, daffodils, crocus) now through October; soil is warm enough for root establishment before winter dormancy.
- Divide and transplant perennials (daylilies, coneflowers, hostas) while soil is still warm and rain is forecast.
- Deadhead spent flowers on mums, asters, and sedum to extend bloom; cut back summer perennials by one-third.
- Mulch beds with 5–8 cm compost or aged leaves to insulate roots and suppress winter weeds.
- Scout for Japanese beetles and squash bugs on remaining plants; hand-pick or use neem oil if needed.
Watch out for
- Powdery mildew on squash, beans, and phlox in humid conditions; improve air flow and avoid overhead watering.
- Slugs and snails thrive in cool, wet fall weather; use beer traps, copper tape, or hand-pick at dusk.
- Frost can arrive suddenly in late September after a warm spell; keep row covers and frost cloth on hand for tender crops.
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