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It seems like just yesterday when we were excitedly getting ready for summer, and now the temperature suddenly drops, the leaves fall and the trees change color.
As we move into September, we mark the beginning of one of the most picturesque yet low-maintenance months for our gardens.
Luckily, the outdoor experts have revealed their top tips and tricks to prepare your garden for colder weather and help recover from summer’s heat waves.
Those with brown, dried lawns needn’t worry, as there are plenty of ways to revive heat-affected grass to its former green glory.
As we move into September, we mark the beginning of one of the most picturesque, yet low-maintenance months for our gardens (stock image)
Andy Simms, spokesperson for MyBuilder.com, said restoring your lawn should be the most important task on your September gardening to-do list.
He recommended “scarifying” your lawn to remove dead grass, moss and other organic matter so your grass can absorb as much moisture as possible.
Jimmy Englezos, garden expert at garden and DIY store Ronseal, said now is the time to aerate your grass and Tres outdoor living pro Simon Parry suggested using a feed rich in potassium and phosphorus on struggling lawns.
According to the experts, September is also the time to plant larger plants such as trees, shrubs and hedges so that they can become established before next spring.
With a change of season comes unpredictable weather, so it’s also wise to batten down the hatches and prepare your garden for unexpected or frequent heavy rains and storms.
When the leaves fall, cleaning up organic waste is also an important step. The good news is that you don’t have to make room in the green waste bin because you can use the decomposing material as compost.
Below, the three gardening experts share how you can care for your garden in September and return it to full health after a hot and dry summer.
1. Scarify and aerate your lawn
How:
“Your main job should be repairing your lawn,” Andy told the Daily Mail.
‘It still tries to grow during dry periods, but growth can be hampered by thatch (a layer of dead grass, moss and organic material), which prevents moisture from reaching the roots of your grass.’
He said scarifying the lawn is an easy solution to this problem and can be done with a rake or scarifier to remove thatch, moss or dead grass.
“This is a great job to do before winter arrives because clearing your lawn promotes healthy growth,” Jimmy added.
After scarifying, Andy suggested sprinkling the grass with some drought tolerant seed.
Aerating your lawn is also important for its recovery. Andy recommended doing this after a rain shower.
Jimmy said: ‘As we enter the wetter, colder months, aerating your lawn is a great way to maintain healthy grass and improve drainage.’
‘Prick holes in the soil with a garden fork or aerator to create gaps that allow air, water and nutrients to reach the grass roots and promote healthy regrowth in the spring months.’
What you need:
2. Clear debris and enforce boundaries
How:
“Leaves, moss and dirt can build up on fences and patios in the summer,” Jimmy said.
‘Use a stiff brush or a pressure washer on a low setting to remove dirt and prevent slipping and wood rot.’
He added that maintaining borders is essential for preparing your autumn garden, as removing dead and damaged foliage can help prevent the spread of pests and diseases, while keeping the garden looking neat and tidy.
“Taking the time to take care of this garden task during more favorable fall weather will make spring garden maintenance more manageable,” he said.
Any dead leaves you collect during cleanup can be used to make leaf shapes, helping your garden bloom in future springs.
‘A leaf mold is a soil improver that consists entirely of digested fallen leaves. It is created by fungal decomposition, which provides benefits such as water retention, additional nutrients and improved aeration,” Simon said.
‘Making a leaf shape is simple but incredibly effective. All you have to do is collect the fallen leaves and place them in sturdy black plastic bags.
‘Poke holes in the bag and allow it to decompose for 1-2 years, resulting in organic matter.’
What you need:
3. Know how much to mow
How:
‘The weather in September can be unpredictable, so keep this in mind when mowing your lawn. Lawns should preferably be mowed in dry weather as mowing wet grass can smear the soil and damage the grass roots,” Simon explained.
‘At the beginning of the month, mowing the grass every one to two weeks with high blades will help absorb the rain it didn’t get in the summer.
Andy Simms (pictured), spokesperson for MyBuilder.com, said restoring your lawn should be the most important task on your September gardening to-do list
“By the end of September, when growth slows, biweekly cuts will be sufficient.”
Andy agreed, saying that starting mowing too late can leave your lawn vulnerable to colder weather.
“For best results, mow at a high setting about three to three inches high,” he said.
‘This strengthens your grass and prevents sun damage while it is still recovering.’
After mowing, Simon said you need to feed your lawn to help it thrive: ‘Autumn lawn food high in potassium and phosphorus should be applied if the grass is not growing well as it strengthens the roots.’
What you need:
4. Protect from unpredictable weather
Transitional seasons like fall and spring can bring unexpected weather events such as high winds or storms, so ensuring your garden is structurally sound is a must for your September checklist.
‘Inspect deck boards, fences and sheds for rot, loose nails or cracks. Fixing any problems now will prevent them from worsening over the winter months and creating a larger problem that needs to be addressed,” Jimmy said.
‘Secure all items with a flight risk; Wheelie bins and washing lines are common casualties in extreme weather, so ensure these are brought indoors if they cannot be secured.”
He also said he had to check and nail down larger items such as shed roofs and trampolines, or move them to a sheltered spot in the garden.
Fences should be securely secured as they can be particularly vulnerable to wild weather and are at risk of being damaged or blown away.
“To avoid this, before the strong weather sets in, do fence maintenance checks and look for posts that are wobbly or unsecured and ensure they are removed or replaced,” Jimmy said.
‘Put some decorative holes in the fencing, such as a diamond pattern, to block the wind and reduce the impact of the wind. Place hedges or tall trees on the upwind side of the fencing to create a windbreak.’
It’s also a good time to make sure your deck is in perfect order, and as a Trex composite decking installer, Simon knows exactly how to do this.
“Cold temperatures, wind and rain can lead to damaged wood decks and an increased likelihood of mold, so look for signs of rot, mildew and warped planks,” he said.
‘For composite decking, simply sweep away the fallen autumn leaves and clean them with a bucket of warm soapy water and a sponge.’
Jimmy added that applying a weather-repellent sealant or stain can also protect and maintain decking as it prevents moisture from penetrating the wood and causing rot and mold.
‘Make sure you choose a clear day with temperatures above 10C and ensure any old treatments have been removed to make the stain as effective as possible,’ he said.
5. Plant and harvest
If you are a forward thinker and want to have larger items such as trees, shrubs and hedges in your garden next year, now is the time to take action.
“The winter dormancy period allows them to establish roots before they start growing in the spring,” Jimmy explained.
Simon supported this and said September is the perfect time to sow seeds as the soil is still warm.
“If hardy annuals are sown now they will be ready early next summer, and hardy plants can be picked in winter,” he said.
‘Sowing spring-flowering bulbs such as daffodils and hyacinths also helps them form strong roots before winter, and filling containers ensures plenty of autumn growth.’
After your lawn has been properly scarified, aerated, fed and mowed, you can also sow new grass seeds.
“Since summer is likely the busiest time for foot traffic on your lawn, you may notice bare spots due to general wear and tear,” Simon said.
‘Autumn is the perfect time to sow new grass seed as mild weather and moisture provide ideal growing conditions.
“To sow new seed, loosen the soil, spread grass seed, gently rake the area and water the area.”
If you’ve been tending a fruit and vegetable garden all summer, now is the time to enjoy the fruits of your labor.
‘Bumper crops often occur in September, when a combination of ideal growing conditions align, resulting in a larger-than-normal harvest of fruits and vegetables. This is because many plants are reaching their peak,” says Simon.
‘Fruits such as apples, pears and plums should be ready now, along with vegetables such as tomatoes, courgettes, beans, onions and potatoes. Be sure to remove any rotting fruit.
‘All used, healthy plants can be composted and completed summer crops should be removed.’
