Your Complete September Gardening Checklist
September is the turning point of the growing season. The days are shorter, nights are cooler, and gardens begin their slow decay as winter grows nearer. Now’s the right time to prepare, preserve, and plan. A few smart tasks now can save you effort next year while keeping your garden healthy through the colder months. This checklist covers everything you need to do this month to keep your garden in order.
Collect Seeds and Herbs for Drying
As plants finish their summer growth, collect seeds from flowers, vegetables, and herbs you want to grow again. Choose mature, dry pods and label them clearly. Herbs such as oregano, basil, and thyme can be snipped and hung in small bunches to dry in a warm, airy spot so you can use your last batch throughout winter.
Add Compost or Manure to Garden Beds
September is an excellent time to improve soil health. Add compost or well-rotted manure to your garden beds so nutrients can settle in before winter. This step feeds the soil rather than just the plants, creating a foundation for strong, healthy growth next spring. Work the mix-in into the top layer of soil, do’nt dig so deep that your disturb any roots. Your beds will be primed and ready when planting season returns.
Check Houseplants for Pests and Move Indoors
September’s the time to start bringing any potted plants indoors, but before you do, inspect them carefully for pests like aphids or spider mites. Quarantine any infected plants you find by keeping them outdoors while you treat it so it can’t infect your other houseplants. Once the pests are cleared out, then the final plants can join their friends indoors.
Plant New Trees and Shrubs
Early fall is one of the best times to plant trees and shrubs. Cooler weather encourages better root growth, giving plants at least six weeks to establish themselves in the soil before the first frost. Choose a location with good drainage and water well after planting. Add some mulch around the base to help retain moisture. By next spring, your new trees and shrubs will already be settled and ready to thrive. Just don’t forget to keep fully watering them until the ground freezes!
Plant Spring-Flowering Bulbs
Bulbs such as tulips, daffodils, and crocuses should be planted in September. They need the cool months ahead to develop roots before blooming in spring. Plant them at the correct depth, usually about two to three times the height of the bulb, and in well-drained soil. Water them once after planting, then you can let nature take over.
Clean Bird Feeders and Gardening Tools
Dirty bird feeders or baths can spread disease, so take some time to wash them thoroughly with a mild bleach solution before fall rolls in. Birds will soon rely on them more as natural food sources dwindle. It is also a good month to clean and sharpen your gardening tools since they won’t be in rotation for a while, and having nice clean tools in the spring will feel extra nice.
Pull Weeds Before They Go to Seed
Weeds left unchecked in September will scatter seeds, meaning you’ll only see more cropping up next year. Pull them out while the soil is still soft enough to work. Be thorough with the roots to stop them from growing back. As a bonus, it also keeps your garden looking tidy as the growing season winds down.
Fertilize Your Lawn
September is actually the most important month to fertilize lawns. A slow-release fertilizer provides nutrients that help grass recover from summer stress and prepare for winter, since cooler weather coupled with more frequent rain will help your grass grow strong roots. Be sure to follow the recommended application rate to avoid damaging your lawn.
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September is the best time to set the stage for the seasons ahead. With each task, from saving seeds to preparing soil and protecting tools, you’re investing in the future of your garden. These steps are practical, simple, and effective. By following this checklist, you give your plants, lawn, and garden spaces the best chance to thrive when spring arrives again. A little care now will pay off in healthier growth for years to come.
Daniel Mitchell
