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THERE’S plenty to do in your garden this September, from planting flower bulbs to pruning shrubs.
But according to Monty Don, maintaining your lawn is at the top of everyone’s list. There is one important step that people often forget.
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Every month Monty gives an overview of the jobs that need to be checked off. This month, the first thing you need to do is get your lawn looking its best.
This is the ideal time of year to seed or fertilize new grass, or to repair patches and worn areas on your lawn.
The gardening guru explained that this is the perfect time of year to repair damaged or worn areas on your lawn.
“If it is only a worn area with thin grass, rake away all the straw and moss and remove all the weeds and spread the grass seed thinly, water it well and keep it moist. The seed should germinate and grow in a few days,” he wrote.
You should also not mow the grass for about a month. If you do need to, you can trim it with pruning shears.
For larger areas, the pro recommended using a sharp spade or fork to remove messy new growth.
And if you sow new seeds or lay new grass, make sure you don’t walk on it or mow it until it is ‘growing strong’, as this is a sign that the roots have established themselves.
The lawn jobs But it doesn’t stop there.
Monty also recommends gardeners aerate their lawns this month, even if the grass still looks good.
“You can use a fork by inserting the tines into the ground at a distance of 30 cm. For a larger lawn, you can rent a rolling hollow tine or slitter,” he explains.
“It is best to then work sand into the holes with a hard brush,” the professional adds.
Then take a wire rake to remove the felt and moss so that your lawn can grow well again. next spring.
In addition to maintaining your lawn, there are a number of other gardening chores you can add to your to-do list.
Move perennials
Monty suggested moving perennials when they are ‘in full bloom’ to ensure that the roots are well established by the time winter comes.
Also use this time to prune them back a bit, he added.
Pruning hedges
Although you shouldn’t prune hedges during the summer months due to the risk of harming nesting birds, they will probably have flown the nest by now and you can safely give your hedges a quick tidy up.
“Start with the sides and create a slight ‘batter’ or outward slope from top to bottom.
“This prevents the lower part from being overshadowed by the upper growth, which becomes increasingly fuller as more light falls on it. The hedge remains completely ‘overgrown’ all the way to the ground,” says Monty.
Once this is done, cut the top off. You can use two sticks and a piece of string to get a flat top.
Plant bulbs
According to Monty, this is the perfect time to plant spring bulbs in pots.
The gardener explained that he usually starts with flowers like daffodils.
“Choose an attractive pot that doesn’t have to be too deep – a terracotta pot is ideal – and that can be very small – a few crocuses in a small pot can cheer “The darkest day in February,” he said.
Make sure you mix some gravel into your compost for good drainage, as the bulbs can absorb too much water in the colder months.
Garden work in September
As September begins, so does autumn. Veronica Lorraine, gardening editor at The Sun, has a few jobs to keep you busy as the summer sun fades.
1. Start thinking about spring bulbs
It’s early bulb season! As well as the more traditional daffodils, crocuses, alliums and bluebells, try snake-head fragillaries for something a little different.
2. Think of the bees
Be sure to continue to feed the bees with fall-flowering pollinators such as stonecrop, honeysuckle and asters.
3. Dig and enjoy your potatoes
The potatoes from the main crop are ready to be harvested. Make sure you harvest them all so they are not damaged by slugs.
4. Change your lawn mowing schedule
Raise the height of your lawn mower and start reducing the amount of mowing you do. Fertilize it in the fall, especially if you didn’t get around to it over the summer, and start raking to remove thatch.
5. Plant new perennials while the soil is still warm.
6. Take cuttings of salvia
It is as easy as cutting a shoot tip above a node and throwing it in a glass of water to see if roots develop. Especially with delicate Salvias that do not survive the winter.
7. Give camellias enough water so that buds will form again next year.
8. Keep removing faded flowers and watering your hanging baskets
They must continue until the first frost.
9. Make pumpkins Halloween-ready
Remove any leaves that are covering the pumpkins so they are ready for Halloween. Also make sure to water them regularly as they are very thirsty.
10. Check your pond
Cover your pond with a net to prevent it from filling up with fallen leaves when the trees start to fall.
