Month: August 2020

September Garden Jobs and Allotment Tasks

Introduction: September’s Transition – Nurturing Gardens and Allotments into Autumn’s Embrace

As the sun-kissed days of summer gradually yield to the subtle hints of autumn, September marks a transition in the garden and allotment, inviting cultivators to pivot from the exuberance of harvest to the thoughtful preparations for the cooler months ahead. In this month of shifting seasons, the diligent gardener and allotment steward navigate a delicate balance between celebrating the lingering abundance and laying the groundwork for a resilient garden in the coming months.

September unfolds as a time of reflection and action, where the bountiful yields of summer continue to grace the soil, and the promise of a new season prompts preparations for autumnal crops and winter-ready beds. The landscape transforms, presenting a palette of colors that mirror the changing foliage and signal the inevitable shift in nature’s rhythm.

Join us in this introduction as we explore the nuanced tasks and considerations for gardening and allotments in September. From the last hurrah of summer harvests to the strategic planning for autumn planting, September invites both seasoned gardeners and those cultivating allotments to embrace the evolving beauty of the landscape and embark on the preparations that will carry the essence of the growing season into the next chapter of the gardening journey.

Well the summer is ending but you can still get some warm weather in the UK and the nights are still quite long so you can still get plenty of time to do jobs in the allotment and garden. Here in this article we will be telling you all the September Garden and Allotment jobs that need doing this month. If you love to look after your garden and allotment we will provide you with all the gardening tips and advice for making sure that you have the best looking garden and allotment that all the neighbors will be jealous of. We have explained all the plants you can plant in September on our other page which you can view here. We hope you find this information useful. Feel free to share this page.

Allotment and Kitchen Garden Book

Are you starting an allotment or planning on growing your own fruit, vegetables, herbs, and flowers in a kitchen garden? If so we highly recommend the book Allotment Month By Month. This does exactly what it does on the cover to help you with what you should be doing in the allotment and kitchen garden each month. Below you can see the link for Amazon where you can purchase the book directly. This book is extremely popular with all allotment holders as you will read in the reviews:-

You can check out all the allotment and kitchen garden books we recommend here.

September Vegetable Garden Jobs

Introduction: September’s Harvest Melody – Transitioning with Grace and Abundance

As September arrives, the vegetable garden gracefully enters a period of transition, where the vibrant hues of summer gradually meld into the golden tapestry of autumn. Cultivators, their hands seasoned by months of care, stand amidst the garden’s opulence—a testament to the harmonious partnership between diligent tending and nature’s generosity. In this month of changing landscapes, seasoned gardeners and enthusiastic novices alike embark on a journey of harvest, preservation, and thoughtful preparations for the seasons ahead.

September is a time of harvesting the fruits of labor—a symphony of colors and flavors that culminate in a grand crescendo. The air carries the essence of ripened produce, and each day becomes a chance to gather the last vestiges of summer’s bounty. It’s a month that invites cultivators to celebrate the abundance of the harvest while embracing the gentle transition into the cooler months.

Join us in this introduction as we explore the gardening cadence of September—a time of gathering, preserving, and preparing the garden for the changing seasons. From picking the final tomatoes and peppers to planting cool-season crops, September invites cultivators to navigate the delicate balance between celebrating the lush harvest and laying the groundwork for the autumnal garden. As gardens transition with grace, September becomes a poignant chapter in the gardener’s journey, where the love for the soil meets the rhythm of nature’s cycles.

The summertime may be coming to an end and the nights are starting to draw in but there are still many tasks that need doing in the allotment and kitchen garden to keep it looking pristine and to encourage it to be great next year for more amazing crops and delicious food. Here we will tell you all of the gardening jobs for September in the vegetable garden.

French Beans:- Keep feeding them this month to help encourage them to keep producing. Make sure you pick of any beans that are ready as this will slow down production if they are ready and you leave them on.

Peas:- When they have finished producing don’t pull the plants up but cut them at the bottom, this then lets the nutrients back into the soil

Potatoes:- Dig up your main crop of potatoes this month, if you want to leave them in the ground cut all the foilage off the top of the plants.

Pumpkins:- Place them on a wooden plank or a slate to stop the bottom of them from rotting. To help ripen them cut off any leaves that are covering the pumpkins.

Runner Beans:- Keep harvesting them to encourage more to keep growing on the plant. You can also keep feeding them to help them produce more. When they have finished producing cut them off at the base and the nutrients will go back into the soil.

Sweetcorn:- This month you will be harvesting your sweetcorn. To make sure it’s ready before picking the sweetcorn check by squeezing one of the kernels if they are watery they need a bit longer.

Tomato Plants: – If you are growing outdoor tomatoes pinch out the tops of the plants to encourage them to start ripening now.

September Fruit Garden Jobs

Introduction: September’s Orchard Elegy – Harvest’s Crescendo and Preparing for Autumn’s Embrace

In the golden embrace of September, the orchard paints a tableau of rich hues—a culmination of the summer’s growth and the heralding of autumn’s gentle arrival. Orchard keepers, their hands attuned to the rhythmic pulse of the seasons, step into a landscape where the boughs bow under the weight of ripened fruits, and the air is tinged with the sweet perfume of harvest. In this month of transition, both seasoned cultivators and those new to the orchard find themselves immersed in the harvest’s crescendo—a symphony of abundance and a tender preparation for the orchard’s journey into the arms of autumn.

September is a season of elegance—a time when orchard keepers navigate through the rows, gathering the last treasures of summer and laying the foundation for the orchard’s restful winter slumber. It’s a month that invites reflection and celebration as fruits are harvested, preserving the essence of summer, and trees are prepared for the inevitable shifts in temperature and light.

Join us in this introduction as we explore the orchard elegy of September—a month of gathering the final fruits, preserving the orchard’s essence, and tending to the trees in anticipation of autumn’s gradual embrace. From picking late-season pears to ensuring the well-being of each tree, September invites orchard keepers to be both curators and caretakers of nature’s evolving masterpiece. As the orchard gracefully transitions, September becomes a celebration of the gardener’s journey—a poignant chapter where the fruits of labor are savored, and the orchard is readied for the serene passage into the coming seasons.

September is a busy month in the fruit garden getting it all ready for next years produce. Here we will explain all the September Fruit Garden Jobs that need doing this month.

September Gardening Tasks: Fruit Care and Harvesting

As autumn approaches, it’s crucial to pay attention to your fruit-bearing plants to ensure a successful harvest and prepare for next year’s growth. Here’s a detailed guide on how to care for apples, blackberries, currant bushes, gooseberries, plums, raspberries, and strawberries in September.

Apples

Harvesting: Your apple trees should start producing fruit ready for harvest this month. Instead of tugging on the apples, gently place them in your palm. They should come off the tree easily if they are ripe. A clean, easy detachment from the tree is a good indicator that the apples are ready to be picked.

Disease Management: Check for any rotten apples still on the tree. Remove and dispose of them immediately to prevent the spread of diseases, which can negatively impact the health of the remaining fruit and the tree itself.

Blackberries

Harvesting: Ensure you pick all ripe blackberries before birds get to them. If you have a surplus, consider freezing them for future use. Blackberries are often expensive to buy in stores, so preserving them can be a cost-effective solution.

Preservation Tips: To freeze blackberries, wash and dry them thoroughly. Spread them out on a baking sheet to freeze individually before transferring them to freezer bags or containers. This method helps maintain their quality and prevents clumping.

Currant Bushes

Propagation: September is an ideal time to take cuttings from currant bushes. Use healthy, disease-free stems and prepare them for planting to start new bushes either for your garden or to share with neighbors.

Cutting Technique: Select semi-hardwood cuttings that are 4-6 inches long, ensuring each cutting has at least one leaf node. Remove the lower leaves and dip the cut end in rooting hormone before planting them in a well-draining potting mix.

Gooseberries

Propagation: Similar to currant bushes, you can take cuttings from gooseberry bushes this month. This is a great way to propagate new plants for future growth.

Cutting Method: Choose healthy stems and prepare them as described for currant cuttings. Gooseberries root well from cuttings taken in early autumn.

Plums

Harvesting: If you still have plums on the tree, they should be ripe and ready for harvesting. Check for any overripe or rotten fruit and remove them promptly. This prevents them from attracting pests and diseases, which could affect the remaining fruit and the tree.

Handling Plums: Handle plums gently to avoid bruising. Harvest them when they have a slight give to the touch and are fully colored.

Raspberries

Pruning: For summer-fruiting raspberry varieties, it’s time to prune back the canes that have already fruited. This helps the plant focus its energy on new growth, which will produce fruit next year.

Pruning Tips: Cut the old canes down to the ground, leaving the new, healthy canes that will bear fruit in the coming season. This practice encourages better air circulation and reduces the risk of disease.

Strawberries

Maintenance: Clear away any old straw or mulch from around your strawberry plants. This helps prevent the buildup of diseases and pests that can affect the plants.

Potting Runners: If your strawberry plants have produced runners, pot them up or transplant them into the soil where you want them to grow. Properly spaced and well-maintained runners will establish themselves and produce fruit in the following season.

Conclusion

September is a pivotal month for managing and harvesting various fruits in your garden. By following these guidelines for apples, blackberries, currant bushes, gooseberries, plums, raspberries, and strawberries, you can ensure a healthy harvest and set your garden up for success in the coming year. Regular maintenance, timely harvesting, and careful propagation are key to thriving fruit plants and a bountiful yield.

September Flower Garden Jobs

Introduction: September’s Garden Elegy – Nurturing the Autumnal Beauty Amidst Blooms

In the gentle caress of September, the flower garden transforms into an elegy of beauty, embracing the subtle shift from the vibrancy of summer to the muted hues of autumn. Gardeners, their hands graced by the changing seasons, step into a landscape adorned with blooms that reflect the wistful beauty of late summer—a living tapestry where each petal resonates with the imminent arrival of fall. In this month of transition and reflection, both seasoned horticulturists and those tending to their first garden find themselves immersed in the serene elegy of September’s floral grace.

September is a garden elegy—a time when the blooms, though waning, exude a quiet splendor, and the garden gracefully transitions into the next phase of its seasonal journey. It’s a month that invites gardeners to nurture the autumnal beauty, to appreciate the lingering blooms, and to tend to the garden’s needs as it prepares for the restful slumber of winter.

Join us in this introduction as we explore the garden elegy of September—a month of thoughtful care, artistic expression, and the harmonious collaboration between gardener and garden. From tending to the fading blossoms to envisioning the muted yet captivating landscape, September invites gardeners to be both caretakers and poets amidst the evolving floral narrative. As the garden embraces the changing palette of autumn, September becomes a chapter of contemplation—an elegy where each fading bloom contributes to the serene and ever-evolving beauty of nature.

Essential Flower Garden Tasks for September

September marks a transitional period in the garden as the summer blooms begin to wane and the cooler temperatures start to set in. While the month might not demand extensive garden work, there are still several key tasks to ensure your flower garden remains vibrant and well-prepared for the coming months. Below are the essential jobs to tackle in your flower garden this September:

1. Pruning Climbing Roses

Why Prune Now?

• Purpose: After a summer of blossoming, climbing roses benefit from a late-season pruning. This helps promote healthy growth and a more robust flowering display for the following year.
• Timing: Pruning after the final bloom of the season helps the plant conserve energy and focus on developing strong, healthy canes for the next growth cycle.

How to Prune Climbing Roses

• Remove Dead Wood: Start by cutting back any dead or diseased wood. This prevents the spread of potential diseases and helps the plant direct its energy to healthier branches.
• Shape the Plant: Trim back the previous season’s growth to shape the plant and encourage new growth. Aim to maintain an open center to improve air circulation and reduce disease risk.
• Cut Back Long Canes: Shorten long, unruly canes to promote a more manageable shape and encourage new flowering wood.

2. Maintaining Flowering Plants

Deadheading for Continued Blooms

• Why Deadhead?: Removing spent flowers, or deadheading, encourages plants to produce new blooms and extends the flowering period. It prevents the plant from setting seed and redirects energy into new growth.
• How to Deadhead: Pinch or cut off the faded flowers just above the first set of healthy leaves. For some plants, cutting back the entire flower stem might be beneficial.

Keep Plants Healthy

• Regular Care: Continue to water your flowering plants regularly, especially if the weather remains warm. Ensure proper drainage to prevent waterlogging, which can lead to root rot.
• Fertilization: Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer to support ongoing flowering. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for application rates.

3. Caring for Hanging Baskets

Reviving Your Baskets

• Deadheading: Regularly remove wilted or spent flowers to encourage ongoing blooming. This practice helps maintain the visual appeal of your hanging baskets.
• Feeding: Continue to feed your hanging baskets with a liquid fertilizer to support sustained growth and flowering. Use a fertilizer formulated for container plants to provide essential nutrients.

Preparing for Frost

• Temperature Sensitivity: Hanging baskets are particularly vulnerable to frost. If frost is forecasted, consider bringing them indoors or covering them with protective cloths to extend their blooming period.
• Maintenance: Keep an eye out for any signs of pests or disease, and address them promptly to ensure your baskets remain healthy.

4. Watering Rhododendrons

Importance of Proper Watering

• Flower Bud Formation: The health of your rhododendrons’ flower buds is closely linked to the plant’s water intake. Adequate watering now will contribute to a more impressive bloom next year.
• Soil Moisture: Ensure the soil around your rhododendrons remains consistently moist but not waterlogged. Rhododendrons prefer well-draining soil with a slightly acidic pH.

Watering Tips

• Consistent Moisture: Water regularly, especially during dry spells. Deep watering is preferable to frequent shallow watering, as it encourages deeper root growth.
• Mulching: Apply a layer of mulch around the base of the plants to help retain soil moisture and regulate temperature. Use organic mulch, such as bark or pine needles.

5. Preparing for Winter

Final Preparations

• Garden Cleanup: Begin tidying up your flower garden by removing any dead or diseased plant material. This helps prevent the spread of diseases and pests over the winter.
• Soil Preparation: Consider adding organic matter or compost to enrich the soil in preparation for next spring’s planting. This also helps improve soil structure and fertility.

Protecting Plants

• Covering Plants: In areas prone to frost, consider using garden fleece or protective coverings to shield delicate plants from extreme temperatures.
• Container Plants: For plants in containers, move them to a sheltered location to protect them from harsh winter conditions.

Conclusion

While September might seem like a quieter month in the flower garden, there are still essential tasks to ensure your plants remain healthy and vibrant. By pruning climbing roses, maintaining flowering plants, caring for hanging baskets, watering rhododendrons, and preparing for winter, you can set the stage for a beautiful garden in the coming seasons. Regular attention and proper care during this transitional period will help you achieve a thriving flower garden year-round.

Top 10 Questions and Answers for Gardening and Allotment Jobs in September

1. Question: What fall vegetables can I plant in September?

• Answer: September is perfect for planting cool-season crops like spinach, kale, lettuce, and radishes. Check your local frost dates for guidance.

1. Question: How can I extend the harvest of summer vegetables in September?

• Answer: Continuously harvest ripe fruits and vegetables, and provide shade for plants during warm afternoons to prolong the productivity of summer crops.

1. Question: Is September a good time to divide perennials?

• Answer: Yes, September is an excellent time for dividing many perennials. Ensure plants receive sufficient water after division to promote healthy regrowth.

1. Question: How should I prepare my garden for the upcoming fall season in September?

• Answer: Clean up spent vegetation, enrich the soil with compost, and plan for fall plantings. Consider cover crops to improve soil health over the winter.

1. Question: Can I start a new compost pile in September?

• Answer: Absolutely, September is a great time to start a new compost pile. Include a mix of green and brown materials and turn the compost regularly.

1. Question: How often should I water my garden in September?

• Answer: Continue to water deeply and consistently in September. Be attentive to the changing weather and adjust your watering routine accordingly.

1. Question: What flowers are suitable for planting in September?

• Answer: Plant fall-blooming flowers like asters, chrysanthemums, and pansies in September to add color to your garden as summer fades.

1. Question: When should I start preparing my garden for winter in September?

• Answer: Begin preparations for winter by cleaning up debris, protecting sensitive plants from early frosts, and considering winterizing tasks like mulching.

1. Question: How can I protect my garden from pests in September?

• Answer: Continue monitoring for pests and employ organic pest control methods. Remove any infested plant material promptly to prevent further spread.

1. Question: Can I start a fall cover crop in September?
   • Answer: Yes, September is an ideal time to sow fall cover crops like clover or winter rye. These crops help improve soil fertility and prevent erosion over the winter.

Conclusion

In conclusion, September marks the transitional phase from the vibrant summer to the contemplative fall in the gardening and allotment calendar. As the days begin to shorten and temperatures mellow, gardeners and allotment enthusiasts find themselves navigating the delicate balance between finishing summer harvests and preparing for the cooler months ahead.

This month encapsulates the essence of a well-tended garden, with the results of careful planning and sustained efforts coming to fruition. The joy of harvesting the last summer vegetables, the beauty of late-blooming flowers, and the satisfaction of preserving the bounty for the coming months define the September gardening experience.

As individuals start planting fall crops, dividing perennials, and assessing the overall health of their outdoor spaces, September becomes a bridge connecting the vibrancy of summer with the quiet reflection of the impending fall season. It encourages gardeners to embrace the changing rhythms of nature and to remain attuned to the evolving needs of their green sanctuaries.

In September, the garden becomes a place of both abundance and preparation. By navigating these tasks with care and foresight, individuals ensure that their gardens and allotments continue to be sources of joy, nourishment, and beauty well into the changing seasons.

We hope you have found these tips useful on the gardening jobs which need doing in September in the flower garden, vegetable garden and the fruit garden. Make sure you do them all to make sure your garden stays looking great all year round. Find out what to do in October here.

If you want to know what seeds, flowers, vegetables and fruit can be sown this month you can find out all the information here.

If you are looking at what to plant in the garden in August you can check out our list here. Find out what jobs need doing in October or check out all the other months here to stay ahead of yourself.