Not likely in Michigan. Although Brussels sprouts are in fact hardy, that means they will survive cold temperatures, not that they will thrive in them. You don't list your zone, which makes accuracy in providing an answer more difficult, but what your plants will be dealing with if planted in September are continually declining growing conditions, and it is unlikely that you would see a substantial return on that crop. You would likely be best served by a mid-July planting; this would give the seedlings about 60 days of good sunlight and soil conditions to make a strong start. In mid September, light intensity and duration begin to decline, and the plants will slow down. According to my chart, first frost dates in Michigan can occur as early as August and as late as October depending on where you are, and although Brussel sprouts and many other crops can in fact withstand frost, it is not doing them any good. Finally, it is far more pleasant to be out collecting a meal from the garden on a sunny November day than digging through snow to find what the hungry mammals may have left for you in January.

Deanna, depending on what you are sowing, you do need to be concerned about your winter temps and seedlings...many things that would be winter hardy with established roots won't make it with roots at seedling size/development. I fall sow a few things that have short viable seeds that can't be stored dry well, most won't germinate until late winter or Spring. I also sow a few things that need a warm moist period before the winter chill and those won't germinate until Spring either. I am sowing fresh cyclamen this week and those will germinate in a few weeks but this is Z8b - if we do have a few consecutive days predicted to stay below freezing as occasionally happens the pots will be moved off my deck to someplace more protected temporarily. So, how well that might work for you could depend on which plants you are sowing seeds for - things that require a cold moist period to break dormancy are still going to germinate after winter if sown now....did you have something specific in mind?

To answer the questions posted: 1. fall Sept. or October? Depends on your location...For us I consider it fall when nights are considerably cooler & the rains begin again. The clear skies we've had now with temps in the 80s is still summer. 2. the little guys: Self sown newly germinated seedlings are usually a mass & overwinter with some protection of the mother plant or other plants nearby. Some are eaten by slugs or birds, but usually some remain. If you sow your plants like that in place you will have some remaining in spring that will mature further possibly blooming for you. 3. goal of fall planting of perennials? I second wintersowing as the easiest method early winter next year. Slugs in the garden bed love fall seedlings & it's much easier to control them in containers. Hope that helps!

Beautiful, this is exactly the question I was going to post. Also, I have a huge pale yellow hollyhock that sprung up from a wildflower mix I spread last year. Maggie_berry, are the seeds contained in the little round-ish buds that are left on the stalk? Are those the seed heads? Do I collect them from those? Thanks everyone... great post, maggie_berry! I have some hollyhock seed packets too. So glad to see I am not the only one hoping to sow this late! Jessie