September Notes from the Potting Shed

with Gardening Expert Chris Milborne

September brings shorter days, cooler nights and lower sunshine, creating wonderful light and shadows across autumn-flowering plants, seed heads and ornamental grasses. After a hot, dry summer, recent rain and early morning dew have revived the garden. Rudbeckias, Heleniums, Echinaceas, Japanese Anemones, Cosmos, Zinnias, Dahlias and Tithonias are all looking their best. Keep deadheading and feed with a high-potash liquid tomato feed to encourage flowers through autumn.

Autumn is nature’s time to plant trees, shrubs and herbaceous perennials. Warm soil and autumn rain help roots establish before winter. Add plenty of organic matter, compost or manure to improve resilience to both drought and winter rain, and mulch around plants to reduce evaporation.

Tubs and containers often fare better when grouped together, keeping roots cooler and slowing drying out. As summer bedding fades, replace it with evergreen shrubs, Heucheras, grasses, Chrysanthemums, Cyclamen, pansies, violas and wallflowers. Add trailing ivy or thyme and plant spring bulbs beneath for colour over many months.

Now is also the time to plant spring-flowering bulbs, from snowdrops and crocus to daffodils, tulips, alliums and crown imperials. Daffodils are particularly easy and return year after year in borders, beneath shrubs or in containers.

Lawns will soon recover with recent rain. Once green, scarify lightly to remove dead material and moss. In late autumn, spike damp lawns with a garden fork to reduce compaction and improve drainage. Repair edges and sow grass seed on bald patches from late September to October.

Roses have enjoyed the dry weather, with longer-lasting flowers and fewer problems with black spot. Keep deadheading and plant more where space allows.

September is harvest time for tomatoes, peppers, beans, courgettes, sweetcorn, onions, shallots and potatoes. Sow perpetual spinach, rocket and overwintering lettuce for later crops.

Until next month, enjoy the rich colours and beautiful light of the late summer garden.