Although temperatures remain at unseasonably high levels, the first rains have begun to fall, which means now is the time to get busy with your garden and plants for a new productive, colorful and textured season. We used to say that the beginning is half of everything, and not without reason. Below I outline the initial tasks that need to be done in the garden to get it up and running, giving you fruit and flowers that fill you with positive emotions.

7 tasks to do in your garden in September
1.
First of all, it’s time for some exercise… in the garden. The basic task to do this month is a general clean-up of dead plants, leaves and fruits. Use the special garden stools to protect your knees. I would also suggest a short warm up before the clean up job. It’s a good opportunity to also start a very simple composting operation with your plant debris, both green and dry, applying very simple principles of circular economy. To make the compost, choose a shady and wind-protected area that drains well, directly on the soil of your garden to take advantage of its microorganisms. Every now and then wet the compost and stir it to aerate it. The compost that will build up over time will be valuable to your garden.

2. Remove weeds
It is very important to eradicate any weeds you may have in your garden or pot. Remember, a weed is what grows where it is not sown. As long as you water your plants they will surely have sprouted in between. Caution: it is imperative that they are removed before they fruit or they will fill your garden again next year.

3. Prune and apply fertilizer to your plants
In September, refresh your herb garden and strictly prune the herbaceous plants you had planted. Remove any that have completed their cycle. Regular pruning of perennials will ensure healthy, vigorous plants that will continue to yield year after year. It also offers the opportunity to propagate your plants. Especially in vigorous growing plants such as rosemary, agapanthus, euphorbia, salvia, verbena, etc. As far as the flowering plants in your garden are concerned, apply light pruning and spray with a thiochalcin solution as a preventive measure. A dose of complete granular fertilizer is now necessary to boost vegetation through the fall.

7 tasks to do in your garden in September
Photo: pexels
4. Store your summer bulbs.
It’s time to dig up and store in a shady place, summer bulbs such as gladiolas or dahlias for next season. Before storing them, let them dry for a week or two in a dry well-ventilated area, store in a shady place in boxes with holes in them until next spring when you replant them. Bulbs should be carefully dug, checked for disease and mechanical damage, and prepared for storage. In addition, you will now order fall bulbs as needed. You will find a wide variety of hyacinths, daffodils, amaryllis, tulips, freesias, etc.

5. Pick the fruits
Harvest regularly to get fruit at the peak of ripeness, such as grapes and pears, and catch up so they don’t fall to the ground or become bird food. Pick a dry day so the fruit is not wet. At this time of year, save vegetable seeds from pure varieties you like such as: tomatoes, peppers, etc. It is important to collect seed from the healthiest and most productive plants of the variety you wish to propagate.
Tip: Keep a small amount in case your crop is destroyed by unforeseen factors.

6. Take care of your lawn
This is the right time to remove the surface organic layer (thαch) from your lawn. This layer is a collection of dead tissue that lies above the soil surface and under the foliage of the turf. Use special equipment or turf aeration tools. This task provides the aeration that the turf’s root system needs for better growth and to prevent disease. It is advisable to apply compost to the soil after aeration for extra stimulation. A good watering afterwards, combined with early rains, will help immensely in keeping it looking good (green).

7. Adjust watering
Keep in mind now to gradually reduce the time and volume of watering in your garden or balcony depending on the weather. This will depend on the frequency of rainfall and the rate of temperature reduction.
Don’t forget that spending time in the garden this month keeps you creative and happy.
Photo.

Marianna Rappou is a Garden Coach, Agronomist and Landscape Architect / Instagram:@mariannarappou