SEPTEMBER GARDENING TIPS

As September ushers in cooler temperatures and shorter days, it marks the transition from summer to autumn in the garden. This is a busy time for gardeners, with harvests in full swing and preparations for the next season underway. It’s the perfect moment to plant spring-flowering bulbs, collect seeds for next summer, and begin repairing any damage from the summer months. Amidst the vibrant reds and golds of early autumn, take advantage of the lingering warmth to complete these essential gardening tasks and set the stage for a beautiful garden next year.

Here are our tips for making the most of the month ahead:

– Cut deciduous hedges such as hawthorn, hornbeam and beech now that birds have finished nesting.

– Sow green manure in your vegetable beds that are going to be left fallow over winter. Green manure will prevent the leaching of soluble nutrients from your soil, build soil organic matter and soil structure, supply nitrogen and other nutrients for a following crop as well as providing ground cover to prevent damage to soil structure and bringing crop nutrients up from lower soil profiles. So many benefits from just one packet of seed! Green manure mixes are available to buy from seed in our garden centre.

– Continue to water and feed your tomatoes as cropping in a greenhouse can continue into the autumn.

– Dahlias, Begonias and Impatiens can continue to flower into the autumn so continue to deadhead, water and feed your plants.

– If you are growing pumpkins, raise them onto straw, wood or bricks as they ripen.

– Apply a barrier glue or grease band to your fruit trees to deter winter moth.

– Plant new strawberry plants for fruiting next year.

– Choose and plant spring flowering bulbs now but hold off on planting tulips until November.

– Maintain your lawn by killing and removing moss. Scarify, aerate and feed for improved growth next year.

– Net your garden pond in preparation for autumn leaf fall and preventing leaves from falling in and gunking up your pond.

– If you need to lay a new lawn, start by removing all weeds by hand weeding or using a weedkiller. Remove the existing turf to create an even surface. Turn over the top 20-25cm (8-10 inches) of soil and remove any large stones as you go. Add a 2-3cm (1inch) layer of organic matter / soil conditioner and gently dig in. Add topsoil to raise the level where needed. Leave the site to settle for at least a week (ideally a month). Weed again then rake with a soil rake to get a nice flat surface. Then firm the surface using a wooden board and your weight. The soil needs to be level and firm but with a fine crumb on the surface. This preparation will result in a better lawn so it is worth the effort. Now simply lay turf or sow grass seed and then stay off the area for as long as possible.

– Clean birdbaths using a mild detergent to help prevent the spread of bird diseases.

– Replace summer bedding that has finished flowering with winter interest such as cyclamens and chysanths. We recommend replacing compost in pots to prevent the spread of disease and pests.

– Plant indoor “prepared” hyacinth bulbs for Christmas flowering gifts. Remember to protect your hand when handling hyacinths as most people find they irritate the skin.

– Plant evergreens now while the soil is still warm and they have time to establish before winter.

– Plant autumn onion sets.

–Dig up any remaining potatoes before late blight or slug damage gets them.

– Cut out any raspberry canes that fruited this year. Leave new green canes as these will be next year’s crop.