September Gardening Tips

It’s been a scorching hot summer. Our gardens will be glad of a bit of respite from the unrelenting heat and dryness as the days become a little cooler. Not only that, but we’re not feeling the need to hide indoors in a desperate bid to stay cool and can actually get to work in the garden again.

Here’s what’s on some of the team’s to-do lists this month:

• Collect seeds from any flower favourites you might have in your garden, ready to sow next spring
• Some pot plants that have been moved outside from the warmer temperatures will need to be brought back in before the temperatures drop significantly   
• Also, it’s worth checking the soil as you’ll be able to lower the frequency of watering for your houseplants
• Cut away the leaves surrounding your squash and pumpkins so the sunshine can reach them to help them ripen
• Plant spring bulbs such as hyacinths, daffodils and bluebells
• Keep deadheading to keep plants flowering as long as possible (image: green tomatoes)
• Bring unripe tomatoes inside to ripen away from cooler temperatures
• Harvest, dry and store potatoes in hessian or paper sacks. Keep them in a cool and dark place
• Net over any ponds to prevent fallen leaves getting in  

Other than general garden maintenance we think a lot of us will be spending a bit more time with our fruit and veg patches this month. With so much currently in season, like cabbages, carrots, cauliflower, chard, salad leaves, raspberries, blackberries, peppers, apples, pears and sweetcorn….to name just some of them! We’re planning on making the most of what we’ve grown, with the residual summer warmth to squeeze in a few more BBQs before the cold leaves us wanting to huddle indoors once again.  

Faced with a glut of courgette this season? Try serving this at your next garden gathering, Courgette, jalapeño and feta nachos.