Jobs For The Garden In September

As September is an indicator that the summer is over, it is important no to forget about your jobs in the garden. You not only have to keep on top of the duties which you carried out throughout the summer, but it is important to prepare your garden for the upcoming season. As September is generally a cooler month and days become shorter, it is essential to make the most out of your time!

The Vegetable Patch

• Many gardeners are under the illusion that the growing vegetable season should stop at the end of August, however in September the ground is still warm enough for vegetables to grow! Onions can be planted in the middle of the month.
• Even though the growth of weeds will slow down in September, you still need to keep on top of them or it is likely that they’ll spread over your new patch.
• When plants have finished cropping – remove them all.
• Ensure that there are no caterpillars or eggs in your Brassica crop.
• Harvest your sweetcorn during this month. If the tassels on the sweetcorn are brown, pierce through and if the liquid is milky, they’re ready! To ensure that your sweetcorn is as sweet as possible, place them in boiling hot water as soon as you have picked them.
• Autumn vegetables are ready to be harvested e.g. Chilli peppers, squash, pumpkins, marrows, swede and turnip. However, ensure that they are fully ripened before picking. You need to store pumpkins, squash and marrows in a dry and cool place for around 10 days.
• Looks for signs of decay on potatoes and tomatoes, as this can happen quickly over a period of 2-3 days. As soon as decay appears, harvest them all and dispose of them.

The Fruit Garden

• Fruiting raspberries will be ready to pick during this month. Pick them on warm days and when they have reached their peak colour, carry out this practice around every 2 days.
• Grapes and melons are ready to be harvested. Taste a grape, if they’re sweet enough, pick the full bunch! Melons give off a scent when they’re ready to be harvested.
• Hang up wasp traps to prevent damage, usually they are hung from trees.
• Harvest apples by twisting them off the tree.
• Plant strawberry runners for next year.
• Pick of rotting fruits from your trees, as they will spread disease.
• Pears and Plums are ready to be picked. Pears need to be picked when they are still hard, you need to store them in a cool and dry place. Plums can be frozen if you have a large amount of them

The Lawn

• Make the most out of the dry weather by mowing your lawn. It is important, however, to raise your mower blades before hand.
• Treat moss by dispersing a moss killer over the lawn, within around 2 weeks it should have turned black. Then remove the dead moss by raking the surface.
• Feed the lawn with an autumn fertiliser in order to perk it up. This will also strengthen the roots.
• Plant seeds in areas where there are patches, as autumn weather can increase growth.

Other Jobs

• Plant daffodil and crocus bulbs to enhance your garden next spring.
• Remove any pond debris, such as dying plants.
• Net your pond in time for the autumn leaf fall.
• Water hanging and bedding plants regularly and remove any fading or dead flowers.

During September, it is essential to not neglect the time and effort you have invested into your garden during summer time. Preparation is key during this month, in order to protect your garden from damage in the harsh winter months and to develop methods for next spring!

Published September 10th, 2015 by Jordan. Article ref 3924

« Bradgate Charnwood BBQ Charcoal – SOLD HERE | Top 10 Vegetables To Grow Over Winter »