September - The Start of Autumn

• Watering of plants continues to be critical with plants in tubs and baskets requiring water very regularly, but for any plants in the ground, a good soaking every few days or even once a week will encourage roots to go deeper to find water, reduce the amount of water used, and ultimately reduce the time spent watering

• Keep late flowering annuals and perennials flowering until the first frosts by regular deadheading

• Take cuttings of most half-hardy or tender perennials such as fuchsias, salvias and pelargoniums, as well as semi-ripe cuttings of woody shrubs such as rosemary and lavender

• As early flowering annuals begin to fade, choose a warm, dry day to collect seed and store in paper envelopes or pouches made from folded kitchen paper

• Fill in any gaps in the garden with spring bedding such as pansies, forget-me-nots and bellis

• September and October are perfect times to divide congested clumps of many perennials after they have finished flowering. Dig up, divide, replant, and water-in well. The warmth of the soil will mean they will re-establish quickly. If the clump is very large it is usually best to only take new plants from the edge and discard the older, woody centre

• In the vegetable garden, continue to pick beans, peas, tomatoes, courgettes, and cucumbers to continue your supply

• Winter onions and garlic (hardneck) can be planted now, but not in the same location as the previous crop - ideally, rotate vegetable beds on a three- or four-year cycle: Onions and Roots > Potatoes > Brassicas > Legumes

• Lawns will be recovering and greening up quickly but may need some autumn maintenance.  Scarify to remove thatch, aerate, and apply a lawn feed suitable for autumn application (low nitrogen, high potassium) as well as addressing weeds with selective herbicides if required.  New areas of grass should be sown now, or thin areas of lawn raked and overseeded.

• Many hardy annuals such as cornflower, Ammi, and sweet peas can also be sown now for an early display next summer, or perhaps sow a patch of wildflowers, but choose the right seed mix for your soil type and aspect (light, moisture, etc.)

• Annual herbs can also be sown now then brought inside to provide a supply in early winter.

• Apply last year’s leaf mould to beds and borders to make space before this year’s leaves start to fall in earnest

• Remove the growing top of tomato plants to encourage the ripening of existing trusses

• Make time to relax and enjoy your garden