Adam Kirtland gives his September tips to keep everything blooming lovely in the garden – and how to ensure a fruitful crop of tasty apples and pears!
After a strong beginning to the year, the garden is finally bursting with life. The early sunshine hasn’t held our plants back; in fact, it’s helped them build resilience. That early-season cocktail seems to have toughened things up, and the result is a garden that’s now putting on a show worth celebrating!
If your space is anything like mine, it’s now flourishing. The flush of flowers and produce is a welcome reward. While I do hope you’ll take some time to relax and take it all in, if you’re itching to do a bit more, I’ve got a few easy tasks to keep your hands busy this September.
Keep on deadheading
September is a key time to continue deadheading – it not only encourages more flowers but keeps your plants healthy too. Dahlias, for one, will thank you for it. To deadhead them, find the spent blooms and snip them just above the nearest healthy leaves with clean, sharp secateurs or scissors. This steers the plant away from seed-making and back into producing more flowers and shoots.
Roses also benefit from regular attention this month. For most types, cut the stem back to the first group of five leaves, making a clean diagonal cut to help the wound heal swiftly.
Bedding plants like geraniums and petunias also thrive with consistent deadheading. Gently pinch or snip away the entire faded flower head – including the base – to avoid unwanted seed pods. And don’t overlook perennials like echinacea and rudbeckia; a quick trim just above a bud or leaf can coax them into another flush of colour. Keeping on top of deadheading not only enhances appearance but also encourages robust growth and extends the blooming season well into late summer.
Plan ahead – save your seeds
The garden is full of chances to save seeds this month. Sweet peas are a great starting point. While it’s still a touch early to let them go to seed fully, if a pod sneaks past you, don’t bin it – collect it. When the pods turn brown and crisp, you can gently split them to release the seeds inside. Dry them thoroughly before tucking them away in a cool, dry spot.
Aquilegia is another reliable seed-saver’s friend. Once the flowers finish, the pods begin to dry and crack. Harvest them just before they burst and shake the seeds into a paper bag. Let them air dry for a few days before storing them in clearly marked envelopes or jars. Alternatively, if left on the plant, they’ll often self-seed, providing a pleasant surprise next spring in your borders or containers.
Fruits of your labour
If you’ve got fruit coming on, September is a busy but rewarding time. Apples and pears should now be checked regularly – give them a gentle lift, and if they part easily from the tree, they’re ready. Blackberries and raspberries are still going strong – perfect for eating fresh, preserving, or freezing.
Plums are in abundance too; pick them when they feel slightly soft. Strawberry growers should continue harvesting as fruits ripen – the more you pick, the more the plants will offer. But keep an eye out – birds love soft fruits just as much as we do.
Remember to water fruiting plants well, particularly in dry spells, to keep them thriving. And don’t forget a feed every couple of weeks – tomatoes especially will reward you with bigger, tastier yields if you keep them well nourished.