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Gardening Jobs for September

September's change in the garden is upon us. Things can quickly turn from summer blooms to hues of oranges of autumn before winter blues. There are lots of things that can be done which will make a happier garden, with fewer things to do next spring and whilst it is still warm (ish) outside.

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Here is our list of things to keep the garden humming along, enjoying the changing days, different light and wind down to autumn.

Cut Flowers + Nectar Flowers

  • Clear out any annual flowers that have finished blooming and add them to your compost heap, if you have one.
  • Sow Viola Freckle seeds, which will bloom in approximately 8 weeks and provide colourful flowers throughout the winter.
  • Keep an eye out for seed pods on your plants and collect them before they disperse, especially if you want to save them for future use.
  • Look for self-seeded hardy annuals and biennials like Nigella 'Love in a Mist' and Poppy 'Shirley Doubles'. If they're overcrowded in their current location, consider moving them to a preferred spot or gifting them to a friend in a pot.
  • Start planting your spring bulbs now while the ground is still warm from the summer months. This allows the bulbs to establish roots before the arrival of spring.
  • Plant pots of small bulbs such as crocus, iris, and muscari for a burst of colour in spring. Keep them watered during dry spells but ensure the pots have good drainage to prevent water logging.
  • Create beautiful flower bunches using late-blooming flowers like salvias, echinacea, rudbeckias, sunflowers, zinnias, and dahlias. To extend their vase life, add a splash of vinegar to the water, which helps prevent bacterial growth.
  • If you have roses, pick the last bunch before they start browning. To prolong their vase life, sear the ends with boiling water before arranging them.

Garden Greens

  • Cut back any bean or pea plants that have finished producing pods. Leave the roots in the soil as they will provide extra nutrients for future crops.
  • Continue feeding your tomato plants until they have finished growing and ripening. If you're faced with wet weather and limited sunshine, don't worry—use your green tomatoes to make a delicious green tomato chutney instead.
  • Sow winter spinach and broad beans to ensure a bountiful harvest in the colder months.
  • Take advantage of the warm and moist soil by planting the remaining seeds of Radish French Breakfast. They will be ready to enjoy in about 4-5 weeks instead of the usual 3.
  • If you're experiencing hot and sunny weather, keep watering your pumpkins and squash. Remember to pinch out the tips to redirect the plant's energy towards fruit production. Placing a plate underneath larger squash can prevent rot on damp soil.
  • Consider direct sowing Rocket in the ground or in pots. Despite the changing weather, Rocket is a resilient winter salad crop that can tolerate some cold and wet conditions.
Tomato Marmande
Tomato Marmande

Garden Herbs

  • Harvest any herbs that you want to dry for use during the winter months. Hang them in a cool, dry place until they are fully dried and ready to be stored.
  • Freeze fresh mint by placing it in ice cube trays with water. This way, you can easily add mint to your cooking by simply dropping a mint ice cube into your pans as needed.
  • Sow Coriander seeds now, either directly in the ground in rows or in pots indoors. With some luck, you'll have a fresh harvest of coriander until April next year.
  • Cut chives down to the ground, and they will regrow within a few weeks. Applying fertilizer will help stimulate their growth.
  • For potted herbs that are less hardy, such as parsley and chives, bring them inside and place them in a sunny, frost-free spot. This will protect them from the cold temperatures and ensure their continued growth.
Roman Chamomile Seeds
Roman Chamomile Seeds

Harvesting

  • Enjoy a bountiful harvest of veggies, flowers, herbs, and edible flowers from your garden this month. If you've been successful, you'll have a plate full of delicious produce. If not, you can plan for next year with our links to our seed shop.
  • Garden Greens: Kale, French Breakfast Radishes, Carrots, Rocket Salad, Buttercrunch Lettuce, Tom Thumb Peas, Spinach, Cucumbers, Courgettes, Pumpkins, Tomatoes.
  • Edible Flowers: Cornflowers, Chamomile, and Alyssum.
  • Garden Herbs: Whatever herbs you have growing in your garden, now is the time to enjoy their flavours and incorporate them into your culinary creations.
  • Keep your garden clear of fallen leaves. Consider storing them in a leaf mould bag, dampening it, and allowing it to decompose for a year to create nutrient-rich leaf mould.
  • Give your lawn some attention. Rake out any debris, fill in holes with sand, and sow new grass seeds. Add a layer of compost, protect it from birds, and watch it sprout.
  • Continue feeding your container plants and watering newly planted perennials until they are fully established.
  • Start planning for next year's garden. Take photos or make a painting to capture your current garden's beauty and evaluate what worked and what didn't. Consider what you would like to add or change for the next season.
  • Visit your favourite garden or explore new ones for inspiration. Observe what plants are thriving and consider incorporating similar ones into your garden.
  • Offer dried sunflowers as a seed feast for birds by placing them on a bird food table. Enjoy watching the birds indulge in the feast.

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