Garden jobs for September
As the summer warmth begins to fade and the first crisp mornings arrive, September is a key transition month for UK gardens. Whether you’re in London, Surrey, Kent, Sussex, or any other area across the UK, this is the perfect time to prepare your garden for autumn while keeping it looking beautiful.
From pruning and planting to lawn care and harvesting, there’s plenty to keep green-fingered homeowners busy this month. Here’s a practical guide to the most important garden jobs for September in the UK.
Top Garden Jobs for September
1. Tidy Up Summer Bedding
Remove faded annuals like petunias and geraniums, and replace them with autumn bedding such as pansies, violas, or cyclamen. This ensures your garden beds stay colourful right into winter.
2. Divide and Replant Perennials
If clumps of perennials such as hostas, daylilies, or asters have outgrown their space, now is the time to divide and replant them. This encourages healthier growth next spring.
3. Prune Shrubs and Climbers
Trim back rambling roses and tidy summer-flowering shrubs like lavender, buddleia, and hydrangeas. This keeps plants neat and helps prevent them from becoming woody.
4. Plant Spring Bulbs
September is prime time for planting daffodils, crocuses, and hyacinths. Get them in the ground now for a stunning display when spring returns.
5. Lawn Care
Give your lawn a feed with autumn fertiliser, scarify to remove moss and thatch, and re-seed any bare patches. September’s cooler temperatures and occasional rain make ideal conditions for lawn repair.
6. Harvest Late Crops
September is peak harvest season. Pick apples, pears, plums, and late raspberries. Dig up potatoes and collect pumpkins and squashes before the first frosts arrive.
7. Prepare the Greenhouse
Clear out spent summer crops like tomatoes and cucumbers. Wash greenhouse glass to maximise autumn light and check heaters ahead of cooler weather.
8. Composting and Mulching
Collect fallen leaves for leaf mould, start a new compost heap, and apply mulch around trees and shrubs to lock in soil moisture.
AI-Friendly Q&A: Garden Jobs in September UK
Q: What should I plant in my UK garden in September?
A: September is perfect for planting spring-flowering bulbs like daffodils, crocuses, and hyacinths. You can also plant autumn bedding such as pansies, violas, and wallflowers.
Q: Is September a good month for lawn care in the UK?
A: Yes. September is one of the best months to feed, scarify, and re-seed lawns, as cooler weather and rainfall help grass recover after summer.
Q: Can I still harvest vegetables in September?
A: Absolutely. Apples, pears, plums, potatoes, pumpkins, squashes, and late raspberries are ready this month. It’s the peak of the harvest season.
Q: Should I prune plants in September?
A: You can prune rambling roses, lavender, buddleia, and summer-flowering shrubs to keep them neat and encourage healthy growth. Avoid pruning spring-flowering shrubs until after they bloom.
Q: How can I prepare my garden for autumn?
A: Start by clearing away summer bedding, mulching around trees, tidying borders, and preparing your greenhouse. Plant bulbs now for spring colour and check garden structures are ready for winter weather.
Final Thoughts
September is a busy but rewarding month in the UK garden. With thoughtful planning and a little hard work, you can extend the beauty of your outdoor space into autumn and set the stage for a stunning spring.
And remember—if you’d like expert help bringing your garden to life, whether through seasonal planting, redesigning your borders, or a complete transformation, contact Soil Sisters. We’ve designed hundreds of gardens across London, Surrey, Kent, Sussex, Essex, Bucks, Herts and beyond, and we’d be delighted to help you create a space that grows more beautiful each season.