In September, with the weather cooling and the season slowly changing from summer to autumn the gardening jobs – and time left to do them – can mount up on you. And it’s quite a busy month in September. There’s lawn care to be done, planting for autumn colour, and spring flowering bulbs to name a few essential jobs. Many bedding plants will still be in full bloom up until the first frosts too so when the weather is ok there’s still some opportunity to enjoy the garden.
Continue Deadheading
Even though it’s September continue deadheading away as many plants will continue blooming until the temperature really dips even up until the first frosts. Particularly bedding plants. It really is the best way to encourage repeat flowering right up until they die off.
Spring Flowering Bulbs
Plant your spring flowering bulbs now for wonderful spring colour. What will you choose? Daffodils, Tulips, Crocus, Snowdrops? So many choices! Look for large, firm bulbs. When you plant, be generous and plant in clumps for the most vibrant displays next spring. Make sure you plant bulbs deep enough or they will look great the first year but may be disappointing thereafter. Check the packet for the relevant planting depth.
Now is the Time to Plant
September really is the best time to get planting! The soil is still warm from the summer sun and moist from the autumn rains. The air temperature outside is cooler which means there’s no searing heat to scorch the plants either which may already be a bit stressed at being dug out of their pots. The cooler temperatures mean the plant isn’t throwing all its energy into growth, but rather is moving to a dormant state to survive for next year. This makes for optimum growing conditions, which in turn encourages good root growth to establish properly and thrive the following year.
Bird Care
Start thinking about bird care too. Our gardens are a haven for our wild birds over autumn and winter, when food and water become scarce. You can easily help them by providing a good supply of quality bird food, fat balls and a supply of clean fresh water. You’ll be more than repaid many times over by the sight of beautiful birds in the garden from tiny blue tits and festive robins to more haughty woodpeckers and cheeky blackbirds. Bird feeders, bird tables and bird houses make a great gift idea too for Christmas (is it too early to say that word?).
Weather Protection
The onset of more wet and windy weather really serves as a reminder to secure climbers to their supports, to stake plants that may be vulnerable to wind and to cut back bush roses to limit damage caused by strong winds.
