September is generally a cooler month than August and the days are becoming shorter. Yet there is no end to the Gardening Jobs needed to be done to get us ready for fall.
Making the most of the remaining warm days ahead you’ll be busy harvesting the last crops of summer and planning your fall planting.
Below is a list of gardening jobs to help get us started:
- This month usually brings mild weather. Plant or transplant cool-weather crops such as beets, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, collards, lettuce, mustard, onions, radishes, spinach, and turnips.
- Harvest herbs and store in a cool, dry place.
- With new transplants, be sure to water deeply (not lightly) every morning.
- Cut back and remove old flower stalks from your annuals. Refertilizer them to encourage one more color before the winter.
- Divide and replant perennials and bulbs that have become overcrowded or too large.
- Clean out your vegetable garden once the plants have stopped producing. Remove any that were susceptible to disease and insects.
- Add organic matter to all planting areas. Be sure there’s an inch-thick layer of mulch on your garden beds to control weeds.
- Start preparing your flower beds for the planting of cool-season annuals.
- No more pruning your shrubs or trees, unless it is necessary. Pruning may encourage new growth to occur, which might be damaged during the winter.
- Continue to harvest peppers and tomatoes and start keeping an eye out for possible frost.
- Add leaves and organic material to your compost pile.
- Now is a good time to plant woody ornamentals because they have time to establish themselves before the spring.
- This is the last month to plant any new perennials and biennials.
- Move your houseplants back indoors.
- Save Seed for planting next year.
From harvesting tasty fruits and vegetables to preparing your garden for the cooler months, September is a rewarding month in the garden.