Seasonal jobs for the month: September

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September
1.

Cut deciduous hedges such as Crataegus (hawthorn, pictured), Fagus (beech) and Carpinus hornbeam) now birds have finished nesting.

  
2.

Cut out the fruited canes of berries and hybrid berries, including summer raspberries, blackberries, loganberries and tayberries. Leave the new, green canes as these will crop next year.

  
3.

Sow green manures in vegetable beds that are to be left fallow for the winter.

  
4.

Continue to feed and water tomatoes: cropping in the greenhouse can continue well into autumn.

  
5.

Dahlia, Begonia, Impatiens and other tender perennials can flower for at least another month in warmer counties, so continue to deadhead, water and feed.

  
6.

Choose and plant bulbs now, but wait until November to plant tulips.

  

Kitchen garden

  • Oriental leaves, coriander, parsley, spinach and winter radish can all be sown until the middle of the month.
  • As squashes and pumpkins ripen, raise them onto straw, wood or bricks.
  • Ensure carrots have insect mesh in place with no holes, as carrot flies are most damaging in late summer to autumn.
  • Store onions that have been dried in nets in well-ventilated conditions.
  • Apply barrier glue or grease bands to fruit trees at the end of the month, to deter winter moth.
  • Plant new strawberry plants for fruiting next year as soon as possible.

Ornamental Gardens

  • Choose and plant bulbs now, but wait until November to plant tulips.
  • Maintain lawns: kill and remove moss, scarify, aerate, topdress and feed for an improved sward next year.
  • Sow yellow rattle in wildflower meadows where the grass is growing too vigorously.
  • Net ponds in preparation for leaf fall.
  • Plant new trees, shrubs and perennials as the soil is still warm.
  • In the glasshouse, sow herbs and salad leaves such as pea shoots, beetroot, chard, Oriental greens and rocket for quick-growing crops.