September in the Garden

September is such a lovely month in the garden. There’s still plenty of summer colour, but you can feel the seasons beginning to shift. The evenings are drawing in, the first leaves are changing, and the garden starts to take on that softer, golden feeling that I love at this time of year.

It’s also a month of transition. There are jobs to tidy up the summer garden, but plenty to do now that will set you up for next year.

And after the hot weather we’ve had this year, I have to say my garden has definitely got a few more plants that have gone over earlier than usual!

What to Do in the Garden in September

Give Your Lawn Some Attention

September is one of the best times to give your lawn some care after the stresses of summer.

Scarify to remove thatch and moss, aerate compacted areas and overseed any bare patches. If your lawn is looking a little worse for wear after the summer, don't worry the cooler temperatures and autumn moisture provide ideal conditions for recovery.

You can also apply an autumn lawn feed to encourage strong roots without pushing lots of soft leafy growth.

Cut Back Gone-Over Perennials

If your borders are starting to look a little past their best, September is a good time to cut back perennials that have finished flowering.

With the hot weather this year, I've got plenty in my own garden that have gone over much earlier than usual, so I'll be giving some of them a tidy-up.

But don't feel you have to cut everything back. Seed heads can provide valuable food for birds and beautiful structure through autumn and winter, so I like to leave anything that still looks good or provides interest.

Take Cuttings of Half-Hardy Plants

September is a great time to take cuttings from tender and half-hardy plants before temperatures start to drop.

Salvias, penstemons and pelargoniums are all good candidates. Taking cuttings means you can create new plants from your favourites and overwinter them under cover ready for next year.

It's also a brilliant way of getting more plants without spending more money always a win!

Lift and Divide Perennials

If your perennials have become congested or are starting to outgrow their space, now is a great time to lift and divide them.

Achilleas, hardy geraniums, nepeta and geums can all benefit from division. Dig up the clump, carefully tease or cut it into smaller sections, making sure each division has healthy roots and shoots, then replant and water well.

You'll end up with more healthy plants to spread around the garden or perhaps a few to share with friends.

Order Your Spring Bulbs

Spring might feel a long way away, but now is the time to start thinking about it.

Order your spring-flowering bulbs such as tulips, daffodils, alliums, crocuses and fritillaries before the best varieties sell out.

There's something very satisfying about planning next spring's garden while you're still enjoying the flowers of this one.

Sow Hardy Annuals

September is a brilliant time to sow hardy annuals. Plants such as cornflowers, nigella, calendula and hardy annual poppies can be sown now, giving them a head start and often resulting in earlier flowers next year.

You can sow directly into prepared soil or into pots and trays, depending on what works best for your garden.

There's something wonderful about sowing seeds now and knowing that, months from now, you'll be rewarded with flowers.

What's Happening in the Garden?

September is a month of change.

• Summer perennials begin to fade

• Dahlias continue to provide late-season colour

• Seed heads start to appear

• Autumn light makes everything feel softer

• Birds begin to enjoy the seeds we've left behind

• Spring is quietly being planned beneath the soil

  
  

The garden might be changing pace, but there is still so much happening.

Final Thoughts

September is a reminder that gardening is never really about one season.

While we're still enjoying the last of summer, we're already preparing for autumn and planting the seeds quite literally for next year's garden.

So take the cuttings. Divide those congested perennials. Order the bulbs. Sow the seeds.

And don't forget to leave yourself some time to simply enjoy what's still flowering.

After all, we're gardeners. There's always something to do, but sometimes the most important job is just stopping to look around.

All my love, love from Donna 🌷