Introduction
September is a month of change in the garden. There is still plenty to harvest and enjoy, while the first signs of autumn make it a good time to start preparing gardens and allotments for the cooler months ahead.
Harvest
Enjoy the September harvest
For many growers, September is one of the most rewarding months of the year. Apples and pears are coming into season, autumn raspberries can be picked and many vegetable plots are still producing plenty of food.
Potatoes can also be lifted and stored, while squash and pumpkins continue to develop. Keep an eye on fruit and vegetables as they ripen and harvest regularly so good produce does not go to waste.
Keep growing
There is still time to grow
September does not mean the end of the growing season. Winter lettuce, spinach, rocket and other salad leaves can still be sown for cooler weather crops. It is also a useful time to plant overwintering onion sets and begin planting spring-flowering bulbs.
Soil
Prepare for winter
As summer crops finish, add compost or well-rotted organic matter where appropriate. Green manures can also help cover empty ground, protect soil and retain nutrients through the colder months.
Water wisely
Make the most of autumn rain
Newly planted plants and containers may still need watering during dry spells. September is also a useful time to install or check a water butt so you are ready to collect autumn rainfall and reduce reliance on mains water.