Now
28°C · Clear
Today
29° / 16°
Soil 6 cm
23°C
First frost
~66 days (Nov 13)
Gardening in Richmond
AI field guide · refreshed weeklyRichmond Gardening: Early Fall Planting & Harvest (September 8–14)
Zone 8a with first frost expected November 13 (66 days away). Soil at 22°C (72°F) is ideal for cool-season seed germination. You have a solid 9-week window to establish fall crops before hard freeze; spring frost averaged March 30, so spring planting won't begin for six months.
Sow outdoors now
Lettuce & Salad Greens
Direct sow 'Buttercrunch', 'Oakleaf', or 'Winter Density' now; they'll mature in 45–55 days before November frost. Space 15 cm (6 in) apart in full sun.
Spinach
Sow 'Space' or 'Bloomsdale Long Standing' directly; germinates quickly in 22°C soil and tolerates light frosts once established. Thin to 10 cm (4 in).
Kale
Direct sow 'Winterbor' or 'Lacinato' for harvest through winter; flavor improves after frost. Sow 30 cm (12 in) apart; ready in 60 days.
Arugula
Fast-growing peppery green; sow 'Roquette' or 'Astro' for first harvest in 30–40 days. Succession-sow every 2 weeks through October.
Radish
Sow 'Cherry Belle' or 'Watermelon' for crisp fall roots in 25–30 days. Thin to 5 cm (2 in); prefers consistent moisture as temps cool.
Start indoors now
Cabbage & Broccoli Transplants
Start 'Stonehead' cabbage or 'Arcadia' broccoli indoors now for transplant in 3–4 weeks; they'll mature before November frost. Keep at 18–21°C (65–70°F).
Cauliflower
Sow 'Snowball' or 'Romanesco' indoors; transplant mid-September for October–November harvest. Needs 70–80 days total.
Asian Greens
Start 'Mizuna', 'Bok Choy', or 'Tatsoi' indoors for transplant in 2–3 weeks; these thrive in Richmond's cool fall and tolerate light frost.
Harvest now
Summer Tomatoes & Peppers
Pick ripe fruit before the first hard frost (66 days away). Green tomatoes can ripen indoors; peppers will slow as nights cool.
Beans & Squash
Harvest summer crops now; plants will decline as soil cools. Remove spent vines to reduce pest habitat.
Herbs
Cut basil, cilantro, and parsley heavily before frost kills them; dry or freeze for winter use.
Tasks this week
- Clear spent summer beds and amend with 5 cm (2 in) compost to prepare for fall planting.
- Water newly sown seeds daily until germination (3–7 days); soil is warm enough for quick sprouting.
- Mulch fall crops lightly (2–3 cm / 1 in) to retain moisture and moderate soil temperature as nights cool.
- Scout for cabbage moths and Japanese beetles on transplants; handpick or use row cover if needed.
- Check soil moisture before rain arrives Friday; dry week ahead until September 13.
Watch out for
- Dry spell through Friday (September 12): water newly sown seeds and transplants consistently; rain returns September 13.
- Cabbage moths and flea beetles are active in early fall—use floating row cover on brassicas and greens to prevent damage.
- Powdery mildew may appear on squash and beans as humidity drops; remove infected leaves and improve air circulation.
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