September is a transitional month in the garden. The blazing colours of summer mellow into the rich, warm tones of autumn. The days are still mild enough to enjoy being outdoors and while blooms may be fading, there’s still plenty of beauty, productivity, and purpose to be found. From harvesting the last of your summer crops to planting spring bulbs and preparing the garden for colder months, September is a month for both reflection and action.
In this guide, we’ll explore practical tips to keep your garden thriving in September, recommend useful tools and accessories, and highlight things to buy that will help you enjoy – and prepare – your garden for late summer, early autumn and beyond.
Why it matters…Tidying up your garden now helps prevent pests and diseases from overwintering and makes spring preparation much easier.
Practical Tips:
– Remove dead annuals and compost them if they are disease-free.
– Cut back finished (spent) perennials, however you can leave attractive seed heads (like echinacea and rudbeckia) for structure and as a food for wildlife.
– Weed thoroughly while the soil is still warm from summer—this reduces spring regrowth.
Recommendations:
– Use a sharp pair of secateurs and a garden waste bag or trug to gather clippings easily
– Invest in a lightweight garden rake to remove fallen leaves and debris from beds.
Top Buy:
– A good set of Secateurs – ideal for deadheading and pruning.
Why it matters…September is the ideal time to plant spring bulbs such as daffodils, crocuses, hyacinths and alliums. A little work now yields stunning colour displays come March and April.
Practical Tips:
– The general rule of thumb is to plant bulbs at a depth of 2–3 times the bulb height, and in groups for a natural look.
– Ensure good drainage to prevent bulbs from rotting.
Recommendations:
– Use a bulb planter to make holes quickly and evenly.
– Use a bulb fibre as a compost for planting bulbs in.
– Label your bulb spots to avoid disturbing them later as you will forget!
Why it matters… Hardy annuals sown now will overwinter and flower earlier and stronger in spring.
What to Sow:
– Cornflower, calendula, poppy, nigella, and larkspur.
– Sow directly into well-prepared soil or in seed trays under cover.
Recommendations:
– Seed trays with clear lids help you germinate seeds indoors.
– Fine seed compost is ideal for delicate seeds.
Why it matters…September is perfect for lawn maintenance—cooler weather and autumn rains help new grass establish quickly.
What to Sow:
– Scarify your lawn to remove thatch and moss.
– Aerate the lawn with a fork or aerator tool to improve drainage.
– Apply autumn lawn feed to strengthen roots over winter.
Recommendations:
– Reseed patchy areas with a mix suitable for your lawn (shady, tough grass for play, or fine luxury grassl).
– Topdress with compost to improve soil quality and seed germination.
Top Buy:
– Miracle-Gro Autumn Lawn Care – Fortifies your lawn for the colder months ahead. See what lawn care products we have in store.
Why it matters… September can still be generous with fruit and veg, from apples and pears to runner beans, beetroot, courgettes, and squashes.
Practical Tips:
– Pick produce promptly to avoid waste and encourage further growth.~
– Store apples and pears in a cool, dark, well-ventilated place
– Start clearing crops that are finishing to make way for green manure or overwintering plants.
Recommendations:
– Use a proper harvesting basket to carry and store fruit gently.
– Invest in a fruit picker to reach apples or pears without climbing.
Top Buy:
– Wolf Telescopic Fruit Picker – Perfect for getting high fruit without damage.
Why it matters… Soil is still warm, and rainfall is more frequent—ideal for establishing roots before winter.
Practical Tips:
– Add compost or well-rotted manure to planting holes to improve fertility.
– Water well after planting, and mulch to retain moisture.
– Avoid overfeeding, which may encourage soft growth vulnerable to frost.
Recommendations:
– Divide overcrowded perennials and replant them to fill gaps elsewhere
– Choose plants for autumn colour like sedum, Japanese anemones or asters.
Top Buy:
– Rootgrow Mycorrhizal Fungi – Great for helping new plants establish stronger root systems.
Why it matters…As natural food sources dwindle, your garden can become a vital haven for birds, insects, and mammals.
Practical Tips:
– Leave some seed heads, berries, and leaf piles for wildlife.
– Clean bird feeders and baths thoroughly to prevent disease spreading
– Start feeding birds with high-energy foods like suet and sunflower hearts.
Recommendations:
– Add a bug hotel or log pile for overwintering insects. You can make your own or we sell ready made ones.
– Install a hedgehog house ready for when hedgehogs start to hibernate, we have them in store.
Why it matters… September’s garden waste is the perfect base for rich, homemade compost.
Practical Tips:
– Mix green material (grass clippings, soft plant matter) with browns (twigs, cardboard, dry leaves).
– Turn the heap every few weeks to encourage decomposition.
– Keep it covered to retain heat and moisture.
September is one of the most rewarding months in the gardening year. There’s a satisfying blend of activity and reflection – harvesting the fruits of summer’s labour while setting the stage for next spring. With the right tools, thoughtful planting you can continue to enjoy your garden through the shifting seasons.
Whether you’re raking leaves in the morning sun or planting bulbs as the evening light fades, your efforts now will echo into the months ahead – bringing beauty, wildlife, and joy long after the last bloom of summer fades.
Happy gardening!
Clyst St. Mary
Sidmouth Road, Clyst St. Mary,
Exeter, Devon, EX5 1AE.
Telephone: 01392 876281
Email: gardening@stbridgetnurseries.co.uk
OPENING HOURS
Monday to Saturday 9.00am to 5.00pm*
Sundays 10.00am to 4.00pm*
Bank Holidays 9.00am to 5.00pm
*Cafe open until 4.30pm each day and until 3.30pm on Sundays.
We are closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Years Day and Easter Sunday.
