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Gardener's Calendar - September
Things to do in...
By all these lovely tokens September days are here. With summers best of weather and autumn’s 
best of cheer. ~Helen Hunt Jackson~
September brings us to the most fruitful season of them all. A month with hopefully heavy yields and dramatic colours for the gardener to enjoy. There really is something for everyone this month!
Autumn, natures time for planting...
Flower Borders
Clearing should be the first job on your list to consider. September has always been the month to clear away tired summer annuals and start to replace with autumn and winter colour such as Violas and Pansies. You should also consider mixing in some early spring bedding like Bellis, Primula and Wallflowers to continue the display into next year.
September is also the month to plan and purchase spring bulbs. There are some fantastic varieties and colours available now. Narcissus (Daffodils) should be planted by mid September. Don’t forget to add your bulb fibre or compost to the soil to get these off to a flying start.
September is also the month to lift and divide your herbaceous perennials, if you wish to bulk up those borders. Whilst in the perennial border make sure you have cut back any tired and faded flowers and foliage, removing any supports you may have used. Also keep the border free from debris and rotting leaves, this will help reduce the slug and snail population and also reduce the risk of any fungal infections.
It is a good time to do any planting, the soil is still warm from the summer but the more frequent showers will help with irrigation, always make sure that newly planted trees and shrubs are kept well watered.
If you have not already got one, it is always a good idea to have water butts in the garden, to collect the autumn and winter rainfall. There are may designs available, even traditional whiskey barrels.
Tender plants should soon be brought in so they don’t get damaged by the first frosts, or make provisions to use garden fleece to protect your plants in situ.
Climbing roses can now be pruned back to the frame, taking care to remove any dead, diseased or weak shoots. Evergreen hedges can be given their final trim and plants such as Camellia and Rhododendrons should be kept well watered, or else flower buds may fail to initiate.
Vegetable and Fruit Gardens
Continue to harvest regularly fast maturing vegetables like tomatoes, cucumbers, French beans and runner beans so they will not go to waste. You can continue to sow vegetable seeds for over wintering, so they can mature in the spring, examples of these are winter lettuce, turnip and spinach.
Any vegetable that may be planted out in the garden should be covered with some fleece as it matures, to protect from shredding by birds. Onion sets can also be planted towards the back end of the month.
Potatoes should be lifted, and stored somewhere cool and dry and marrow, courgettes and squashes should be ready to harvest now. Put them somewhere warm and sunny to let the skins harden off, before transferring them to a cool dark space.
In the fruit garden it is harvest, harvest, harvest, but most of all enjoy. Fruit bushes and trees can be planted out in September and will really benefit of the chance of having warmer roots.
Other jobs in the fruit garden include keeping clean and tidy, so to reduce the risk of infection. Strawberry runners can be lifted and potted now. One important task in the fruit garden is to cut out any distorted or fruited Raspberries canes. Select new ones and tie them in for next year.
Lawns
During this month the rate grass grows slows down dramatically. To give your lawn a chance during winter, raise the height of the cut and also mow less frequently. Other jobs for the autumn on the lawn include scarifying (removing the mossed thatch), aerating and debris clearing.
Apply an autumn feed, which is high in potassium and will add strength during the winter. You should also dress your lawn with lawn sand mixed with loam and brushed in with a stiff brush. Make sure that you keep your lawn free of falling leaves on a regular basis.
Patio and Greenhouse Gardening
Most important jobs for any gardener with a glasshouse or conservatory, is husbandry. It is very important that during September all plant material should be swept up and disposed of, vents and doors should be left open for as long is possible. Watering should be done as required and humidity should be reduced if your plants allow. This will help keep control of Botrytis in your covered area. Any shading you may have put up should be removed as the month goes on, as light levels will begin to drop. If you have any half-hardy plants and no heat source, get some fleece to help protect these during the winter.
You could also try planting Hyacinths and Amaryllis in pots or baskets to give some winter colour in the house.
General Tasks
Weed your borders; perennial weeds are at their most vulnerable now and very susceptible to weed killers. Pruning on deciduous shrubs can still be done now. Good housekeeping will pay dividends next year. Keep a watchful eye out for fungal infections such as Black Spot and Botrytis, treat with a systemic fungicide.
Plants of the Month
A selection of plants that are especially interesting this month.
Fruit trees and Bushes
Acers
Viburnum Tinus
Leucothe
Conifers
Skimmia
Roses
Camellia
September is a great month to be in the garden, and if you’re looking for ideas or a bit of inspiration visit us at Redfields where our staff can help you with all of the above and MUCH MORE.
