Things to do in September in the garden

September gardening jobs to take care of this month. 

As late summer draws to a close, we can enjoy this month for all of the wonderful seasonal changes it brings. As we progress into autumn, we’ll see the leaves on the trees start to change colour, whilst flowers such as asters, achillea and cleome continue to bloom, and verbena bonariensis will continue to dance on tall stems, merrily self-seeding around your garden. If you have fruit trees and bushes you will be picking apples, plums and autumn berries all month long.

September is a month to enjoy the last of the warm weather, and start planting bulbs ready for a fantastic, floral display next spring

Save your FREE September gardening jobs “to do” list here*. 

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

Here are some of the main jobs to do this month in your garden:

• Keep deadheading flowers –
  

Flowers like dahlias will benefit from regular deadheading to extend their flowering season. The more you pick them, the more they will bloom. So enjoy creating pretty bouquets to display inside!

• Pick fruit –
  

Pick soft fruits like autumn raspberries and blackberries regularly to enjoy them at “peak ripeness”. Best picked on a dry day and eaten as soon as possible. Twist apples from the tree to remove them – if they’re ready, they will come away easily. Pears should be picked when they’re still hard, and left to ripen in the fruit bowl.

• Weeding –
  

Keep on top of the weeds before they become established.  Hoe and remove annual weeds before they take over, and dig out perennial weeds as you see them.

•  Collect and start sowing seeds –
  

As seed heads continue to dry out, collect and sow their seeds. This is a free way to get more plants! Store in labelled envelopes, ready to sow in spring, or scatter the seeds now. Sunflower heads can be left in place for the birds to feed from (or cut off and laid on/hung from the bird table).

• Watering –
  

Continue watering plants under cover, pots and containers. Try to use grey water and avoid using the hosepipe as much as possible.

• Check water levers of water features and ponds –

Monitor the water levels of your pond and keep bird baths etc. topped up. Add netting over your pond before trees drop their leaves – too many leaves in the water will cause oxygen levels to drop, as they decompose. This will be detrimental to fish and wildlife living in the water.

• Plant spring flowering bulbs –
  

Start planting bulbs such as daffodils, hyacinths and crocus, for spring flowering.

• Greenhouse maintenance –
  

Clean greenhouses and cold frames. Remove white wash on glass, and get them ready for the autumn. Stay on the look out for pests and diseases, and treat any you find straight away.

• Cut back spent perennials –

As plant fade, cut them back (unless you are leaving them to dry for seed collection, or for winter interest in the garden).

• Divide perennials –

Divide congested perennials to promote vigorous growth and to keep the plants healthy. Depending on the plant, either pull the roots apart, chop them down the middle, or separate the roots using two forks, back to back. This is another way to get free plants! 

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

Download your FREE September garden checklist list here*.

·𖥸·

*PLEASE NOTE: By saving my FREE checklists, you agree not to sell, reproduce or alter the artwork in any way. You may not change the design or remove my tag "@talkingofplants".