September is a busy month in the Welsh garden, as there is much to do to prepare for winter. Here are some of the most important gardening jobs for September to tackle this month:
Harvest your vegetables. September is the time to harvest many of your summer vegetables, such as tomatoes, cucumbers, and courgettes. Be sure to harvest them regularly to encourage the plants to keep producing.
Clear out your vegetable beds. Once you have harvested your vegetables, clear out the beds and remove any dead or diseased plants. This will help to prevent pests and diseases from overwintering.
Sow winter vegetables. September is a good time to sow winter vegetables such as kale, spinach, and carrots. These vegetables are hardy and will grow well in the cooler weather.
Plant bulbs. September is also a good time to plant bulbs for spring flowering. Bulbs such as daffodils, tulips, and hyacinths will provide a welcome splash of colour in your garden early next year.
Mulch your borders. Mulching your borders with compost or bark chippings will help to protect the soil and plants from the winter cold.
Prune your trees and shrubs. September is a good time to prune most trees and shrubs. This will help to shape them and remove any dead or diseased branches.
Protect your tender plants. If you have any tender plants in your garden, such as fuchsias and geraniums, you will need to protect them from the frost. You can do this by moving them into a greenhouse or conservatory, or by wrapping them in fleece or bubble wrap.
Once all of these jobs are completed you will need to start thinking about closing down your garden for the winter. Cutting back dead and dying plants; clearing all the leaves that are starting to fall (maybe even start a leaf mould storage area).
Feel free to contact us at Brecon Gardening if you need any help with any of these tasks.
Hopefully this checklist will help you with all those gardening jobs for September. But remember… Whatever the weather – enjoy your garden!!