As the summer heat begins to wane, September is a pivotal month for gardeners. Preparing your garden now will ensure it remains healthy and productive throughout the fall. Here’s a quick guide to the key tasks you should focus on this month.
1. Plant Fall Crops
- Sow cool-weather vegetables: Spinach, lettuce, radishes, and kale are ideal for September planting.
- Start garlic: Plant garlic bulbs for a harvest next summer.
- Add herbs: Consider planting hardy herbs like parsley and cilantro.
2. Harvest and Store
- Pick remaining summer crops: Gather tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers before the first frost.
- Store root vegetables: Harvest potatoes, carrots, and beets, and store them in a cool, dry place.
- Collect seeds: Save seeds from your best plants for next season.
3. Prepare the Soil
- Add compost: Refresh garden beds by mixing in compost to enrich the soil.
- Mulch: Apply mulch around perennials and newly planted crops to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
- Test the soil: Check pH levels and amend the soil as needed for spring planting.
4. Tidy Up the Garden
- Prune shrubs and trees: Trim back overgrown branches and remove dead or diseased wood.
- Clean up fallen leaves: Rake leaves and add them to your compost pile.
- Remove spent plants: Clear out old vegetable plants to prevent pests and diseases from overwintering.
5. Plan for Spring
- Plant spring bulbs: Now is the time to plant tulips, daffodils, and other spring-flowering bulbs.
- Order seeds: Start planning for next year by ordering seeds early.
- Clean tools: Sharpen and oil your gardening tools to keep them in good condition.
By tackling these tasks in September, you’ll set the stage for a successful and enjoyable fall garden, as well as a head start on next year’s growing season.