What to Do in the Garden in September
September bridges summer and autumn. Make the most of the harvest while preparing for the colder months ahead.
September brings a gentle shift from summer to autumn. The harvest continues, but it's time to start preparing for the colder months - planting bulbs, moving tender plants indoors, and enjoying the last of the summer colour.
Key Takeaways for September
- Plant spring-flowering bulbs
- Continue harvesting summer crops
- Move tender plants indoors before frost
- Sow winter salads and hardy annuals
- Start lawn renovation
- Divide perennials while soil is still warm
Flowers
Autumn brings its own beauty with asters, sedums and late dahlias. Start preparing for spring.
September Flower Tasks
- Plant daffodils, crocuses and other spring bulbs
- Divide herbaceous perennials while soil is warm
- Take cuttings from tender perennials like fuchsias
- Lift and store dahlia tubers after first frost blackens foliage
- Collect seeds from favourite flowers
- Move tender plants indoors before first frost
- Plant winter and spring bedding
- Cut back spent perennials
- Sow hardy annuals for early flowers next year
- Plant container bulbs for spring display
Fruit and Vegetables
Autumn harvests continue with apples, pears and late vegetables. Clear spent crops and prepare for winter.
September Fruit and Veg Tasks
- Harvest apples, pears, plums and autumn raspberries
- Pick squash and pumpkins before frost
- Lift and store potatoes before they rot
- Continue harvesting tomatoes and beans
- Sow green manures on empty beds
- Plant out spring cabbage and winter salads
- Plant garlic cloves for next year
- Take strawberry runners for new plants
- Prune blackberries after fruiting
- Clear finished crops and compost debris
Greenhouse
Start reducing watering as growth slows. Bring tender plants under cover.
September Greenhouse Tasks
- Bring tender plants indoors before frost
- Pot up cuttings taken over summer
- Sow winter salads for greenhouse growing
- Reduce watering as growth slows
- Ventilate on warm days
- Clear out tomato and cucumber plants as they finish
- Clean greenhouse glass for maximum winter light
- Check for and repair any damage
- Install heater if overwintering tender plants
- Force prepared hyacinths for Christmas
House Plants
Bring outdoor houseplants inside as temperatures drop. Reduce watering and feeding.
September House Plant Tasks
- Bring houseplants back indoors before heating goes on
- Check for pests before bringing plants inside
- Reduce watering as growth slows
- Stop feeding most plants until spring
- Move plants to brighter positions
- Repot any pot-bound plants
Garden Maintenance
September is ideal for lawn care and general tidying before winter.
September Maintenance Tasks
- Scarify and aerate lawns
- Overseed bare patches in lawns
- Apply autumn lawn feed
- Clear leaves from lawns and paths
- Net ponds to catch falling leaves
- Clean and store garden furniture
- Check and repair fences before winter storms
- Top up gravel paths and drives
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