September is the month when every gardener starts thinking about winter. Although the days are still warm, the specter of the coming cool autumn approaches inexorably. What can you do to spend September in the garden productively?
September is a busy month. Mainly because you need to hurry up before winter. Pruning and planting must be done in the knowledge that the plants must have time to acclimatize before frost. There is a myriad of work in September, both in the orchard, the vegetable garden and the ornamental part of the garden. Check out what needs to be done in the garden before the arrival of calendar autumn!
Garden work – plants and lawn
September is the time when bulbs of early spring flowering plants such as sapphires, tulips or hyacinths can be planted into the ground or pots. Only plant bulbs without mechanical damage or diseases into the ground. It is also advisable to soak them in a fungicide before planting, and those bulbs which you put directly into the ground should be placed in special baskets, which will provide protection against rodents. Bulbous plants, which do not overwinter in the ground, should be removed from the ground before frost
Strip ornamental plants of dried flowers. Pull the dried remains of annuals and biennials that will not bloom again out of the ground. If you intend to keep some potted flowers until spring, trim them and move them to a dry, cool room. September is also the last month to transplant biennial ornamental plants (pansies, bluebells, foxgloves). Also remember to take care of peonies – these strongly growing shrubs divide and repot
A few words about work in the orchard
September is the time when fruit trees and bushes bear the most fruit. It is at the beginning of autumn that apples, pears, grapes, plums, as well as blackberries, raspberries, and nuts are harvested. If your orchard has yielded a very rich harvest, make sure it doesn’t go to waste – you can use it to make jams, compotes or tinctures. After all, nut juice is great for colds! New fruit trees can also be planted in September
You should continue to watch your plants closely and react to the slightest sign of fungal disease or pests. Leaves and fruit that are infected should be burned or buried deep in the ground right away to eliminate the risk of spreading the disease to other trees. Pests that only become active in the spring – such as fruit caterpillars and the raspberry beetle – should also be eliminated in the autumn
Take care of the terrace too
Although there is a lot of work to do in the garden, don’t forget about the terrace and garden furniture. Before winter it is worth protecting wooden elements such as railings, lath fences and furniture. Impregnate them with a special product as long as the air is dry enough for the wood to dry. This will make it more resistant to moisture, low temperatures and fungal diseases
Main photo: Marina Leonova/pexels.com
