Can you believe it, September’s here already with the sun shining, well at least in Torbay! Who knows, perhaps we’re in for an ‘indian summer’ – how great would that be! Wouldn’t it be nice if we can still find a bit of time to enjoy sitting in the garden. Enough of the weather as it’s a good time to begin general maintenance on the lawn, along with tidying borders and containers so they will be ready for planting spring flowering subjects. Also a number of vegetable and flower seeds can now be sown outside and inside.
For raising new plants of blackberry, bury tips into the soil of any shoots that have developed this year, as they will quickly form roots and new shoots will develop next spring. Once this has happened the new plants can be separated and planted where you plan to grow them.
Try to avoid wasp damage to early fruiting apples by hanging wasp traps in the branches of the trees. Pick fruit from these early ripening varieties as soon as they are sweet enough to eat as they don’t keep.
All shoots that have carried peaches should be pruned so that newly formed ones can be tied to ones formed this year and these will flower next spring.
Crops of raspberries, blackberries and other autumn-fruiting varieties should be covered with netting to keep birds away. However, the netting should be checked daily making sure no birds or any other animals are trapped.
Flowers
Once the summer bedding plants have been removed, plant spring flowering plants such as bellis (daisy), pansy, polyanthus, primrose and wallflowers along with spring flowering bulbs. It is a little early to plant tulip bulbs which should be left until November to avoid attacks of Tulip Fire. This disease causes scorched areas on the leaves and spotting on the flowers. The following hardy annuals can be sown outdoors - calendula, cheiranthus, godetia, larkspur, nigella and poppy. Wild Flowers that can be sown direct outdoors are field scabious, field cornflower and feverfew. In the greenhouse sow cyclamen, pelargonium, schizanthus and strelitzia. Sow in a cold frame the wild flowers primrose and cowslip. Sweet peas can be sown in a cold frame or unheated greenhouse to over-winter. The young plants can then be planted out in March/April to obtain early blooms. It is now a good time to begin watering dormant cyclamen pot plants which were left to die down for a rest.
When rose blooms have faded a last deadheading of roses can be done, and taller stems may be slightly shortened so that movement from wind can be reduced. During the early part of this month stem cuttings may be taken. Cut a length of stem, remove the soft tip just above a leaf joint, cutting below a joint at the base removing all but the top three leaves. Place directly into the soil approximately 30cm (12”) to about half its length somewhere in the garden where they can remain to root and develop for about a year.
Gladioli are still giving enjoyable displays in the garden but it might be nice to cut a few spikes for indoors. Should thrips be causing a nuisance spray with Bug Clear. Once flowering has finished, the corms may be lifted, cleaned and carefully stored for planting out again next spring. So that dahlia stems do not break in the wind tie them to supports such as canes. Remove any deadheads and cut some flowers for a nice display indoors. When lily bulbs become available they can be planted as soon as you want.
To make sure displays last well into autumn remember to still give them a little attention. Water regularly, daily if possible, keep pests under control and, of course, remove any fading blooms. Pot any of the tender plants you may wish to save for next year so that they are allowed to become established in readiness for being placed under cover when the weather starts getting cooler.
Early September is an ideal time to sow a new lawn or make repairs to an existing lawn. Grass growth is slowing, therefore, reduce the frequency of mowing. Keep the lawn clear of fallen leaves. General maintenance should be carried out to established lawns, aerate by spiking with an aerator or fork, apply a top dressing and towards the end of the month apply an autumn fertiliser.
Plant onion sets of an over-wintering variety from the middle of the month. Sow winter lettuce Valdor and Winter Density. A few cut-and-come again salad varieties could be planted in pots for tasty leaves in the autumn. Lift maincrop potatoes and allow to dry prior to storing in wooden trays in a dark, cool, frost-free shed or garage. Transplant spring cabbage into their final positions. For a supply of herbs during the winter, pot up plants of basil, marjoram, mint, oregano and parsley and grow them on the kitchen windowsill. Crops should be picked regularly ensuring they are always fresh and tender, and items such as courgettes and beans shouldn’t be left too long prior to picking. Tomatoes and chillies in greenhouses should still be watered during late summer sunshine. Celery plants reaching required size can be lifted carefully with a hand fork.
Pond Care
Pond debris, particularly if the weather has been windy, should be removed by using a net, rake or pond vac. It is important that any dead or dying plant matter is removed immediately so it is not allowed to fall into the water, as this can lower the oxygen content and may also harbour diseases. To catch falling leaves secure a net over the pond. Filters and pumps should be kept going, remembering to check them regularly to see if they need cleaning. It may prove worthwhile to siphon off around a quarter of the water in the pond replacing with fresh if your fish stocks are high. To build up fish strength in preparation for the winter give them a high-protein feed.