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September is the perfect time to refresh your garden after summer and get ahead for the seasons to come. With the soil still holding warmth, it's an ideal month for planting, tidying and preparing for autumn, winter and next spring.
Spring Flowering Bulbs
- Plant crocuses, daffodils, narcissi and snowdrops now to bring colour into the garden from late winter onwards
- Fill gaps in beds and borders with spring bulbs for an easy way to extend seasonal interest
- Add dwarf narcissi and crocus to patio pots and hanging baskets for a cheerful early spring display
- Start planting daffodils in September and plan ahead for tulips, which are best planted in November
- Pot up prepared indoor hyacinths now if you'd like them to flower around Christmas time
Tubs and Baskets
- Continue to deadhead, water and feed summer pots and baskets to keep displays looking their best for longer
- Replace tired summer bedding with fresh autumn and winter plants for renewed seasonal colour
- Choose reliable favourites such as pansies, violas and wallflowers for long-lasting interest
- Add spring bulbs into containers now to enjoy colour beyond winter and into next year
- Refresh pots with new compost to give plants the strongest possible start
- Reuse old compost as mulch on borders to help reduce waste
Lawn Care
- Give your lawn some attention in September to help it recover from summer wear and prepare for winter
- Scarify to remove moss, thatch and dead grass from the surface
- Aerate compacted ground using a garden fork to improve drainage and airflow
- Apply lawn dressing to support a smoother, healthier finish
- Feed with an autumn lawn fertiliser to strengthen grass ahead of colder weather
- Repair bare or damaged patches with lawn seed, turf or a repair kit
- Start a new lawn now while autumn moisture helps it establish well
Ornamental Trees and Shrubs
- Add evergreen shrubs to bring shape, colour and structure into the garden through winter
- Place plants such as viburnum tinus and skimmia near entrances or paths for extra impact
- Enjoy the rich seasonal colour of acers, cotinus and virginia creeper as autumn approaches
- Water azaleas, rhododendrons and camellias well to support strong bud development for spring
- Start planting new trees and shrubs now while the soil is still warm
- Shop early for the best selection during the start of tree planting season
Salads and Vegetables
- Harvest garlic, onions and shallots once the tops begin to yellow and fall over
- Give tomato plants as much sunlight as possible to ripen the final fruits
- Keep picking courgettes while they're young and tender to encourage continued cropping
- Continue watering squash and pumpkins as they mature
- Sow rocket, winter salad leaves and radishes for quick late-season harvests
- Sow Swiss chard and winter spinach for productive cooler-weather crops
- Plant broad beans and hardy peas now for an early spring harvest
Fruit Garden
- Check apples for ripeness by gently twisting them; ready fruit should come away easily
- Harvest plums carefully to avoid bruising or fruit dropping onto the ground
- Store excess apples in a cool, airy place with space between fruits to reduce spoilage
- Cut back summer-fruiting raspberry canes once they've finished cropping
- Tie in fresh new raspberry growth to support next year's harvest
- Protect late raspberries with netting if birds are a problem
- Pot up strawberry runners now to grow strong new plants for next summer
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I plant in September for spring colour?
September is an excellent time to plant crocuses, daffodils, narcissi and snowdrops, especially where summer gaps are starting to appear in borders and containers. Daffodils can be planted from September onwards, while tulips are best planted later in November.
Can I still refresh tubs and hanging baskets in September?
Yes. September is a good time to keep summer containers going with regular deadheading, watering and feeding, then switch out tired plants for autumn and winter options such as pansies, violas and wallflowers. We also recommend refreshing the compost to give new plants the best start.
Is September a good time to repair or seed a lawn?
Yes. September is an ideal month for lawn recovery and new lawn establishment. Scarifying, aerating, top-dressing, feeding and reseeding bare patches can all help create a healthier lawn before winter.
What vegetables can I sow in September?
Good options include rocket, winter salad leaves, radishes, coriander, Swiss chard, winter spinach, broad beans and hardy peas.
What fruit jobs should I do in September?
September is a good time to harvest apples and plums, store surplus apples carefully, cut back old summer-fruiting raspberry canes, tie in new canes for next year, protect later raspberries from birds, and pot up strawberry runners.
Why is September such an important gardening month?
September is a transition month - the soil is still warm enough to establish new plants, while the garden is ready to be refreshed after the busiest summer period. It's a practical time to prepare for autumn, winter and even next spring.
