Fall · September 8, 2026

Memphis, Tennessee

Gulf Coast & Mississippi Lowlands·Hardiness zone 8a

Now

37°C · Clear

Today

38° / 23°

Soil 6 cm

31°C

First frost

~68 days (Nov 15)

Gardening in Memphis

AI field guide · refreshed weekly

Memphis Gardening: September 8–14, 2026

You're in zone 8a with 68 days until your average first frost (Nov 15). Soil at 31°C (88°F) is still warm enough for heat-loving crops, but cooling fast. This is prime transition week: summer crops are fading, and fall plantings need to go in now to establish before cold arrives. Your 238 frost-free days mean you can push cool-season crops fairly late into autumn.

Sow outdoors now

  • Spinach & arugula

    Sow directly now; they'll germinate in warm soil and mature through fall. Choose bolt-resistant varieties like 'Space' spinach or 'Roquette' arugula.

  • Lettuce (leaf varieties)

    Direct-sow 'Buttercrunch', 'Oak Leaf', or 'Lollo Rosso' for continuous harvest through November. Thin to 15 cm (6 in) spacing.

  • Radishes

    Fast crop (25–30 days). 'Cherry Belle' or 'French Breakfast' will mature before first frost. Sow every 10 days for succession.

  • Turnips & rutabagas

    Direct-sow 'Purple Top' turnips or 'Laurentian' rutabagas now; they need 60–90 days and improve in flavor after light frost.

  • Kale

    Sow 'Lacinato', 'Winterbor', or 'Dinosaur' directly; they're cold-hardy and sweeter after frost. Thin to 30 cm (12 in).

Start indoors now

  • Brassica transplants (broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower)

    Start 'Calabrese', 'Early Jersey Wakefield' cabbage, or 'Snowball' cauliflower indoors now; transplant out in 4–5 weeks for October–November harvest.

  • Onions from seed

    Start long-day varieties like 'Walla Walla' or 'Ailsa Craig' indoors for transplanting in 6 weeks; they'll establish roots before winter dormancy.

  • Garlic cloves

    While not technically 'indoors', pre-chill garlic cloves in the fridge for 4 weeks, then plant directly outdoors mid-October for spring harvest. Start the chilling process now.

Harvest now

  • Okra

    Pick pods when 7–10 cm (3–4 in) long; they toughen quickly. This is the tail end of the season; frost will kill plants by November.

  • Southern peas (black-eyed, crowder, purple hulls)

    Harvest mature pods or shell fresh for eating. Dry pods on the plant for storage seed.

  • Late tomatoes & peppers

    Pick ripe fruit; green tomatoes will ripen indoors. Frost will end production in 8–10 weeks.

  • Herbs (basil, cilantro)

    Basil is frost-sensitive; harvest heavily before first frost. Cilantro will bolt in heat but thrive in cooler weeks ahead.

Tasks this week

  • Water deeply if no rain falls; soil at 31°C dries fast. Mulch newly seeded beds to retain moisture and keep soil cooler.
  • Deadhead spent flowers on ornamentals to redirect energy and extend bloom into fall.
  • Scout for spider mites and whiteflies on tomatoes and peppers; spray neem oil in early morning if populations spike.
  • Pull spent summer crops (beans, squash) and add to compost; clear space for fall plantings.
  • Stake or support fall brassicas if wind gusts reach 21 km/h (13 mph) later in the week.

Watch out for

  • Heat stress: Soil at 31°C is still hot. Water fall seedlings in early morning and late afternoon; afternoon temps will hit 38°C (100°F) mid-week.
  • Dry spell: Only 0.6–8.4 mm rain forecast; irrigate newly seeded beds daily until germination.
  • Fungal disease: Humidity is low (34%), but watch for powdery mildew on squash and cucumbers as nights cool; remove affected leaves.

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