What to do in my garden in September?

As the end of the Summer draws near, it's time to embrace the late Summer planting and prepare your garden for the oncoming Autumn. Here's my top 5 jobs for the September garden.

1. Lift and divide perennials

Geranium Rozanne in my E11 Naturalistic Planting Design

Make new plants for free by lifting and dividing congested clumps of perennials including Achillea, Geraniums and Astrantias.

2. Plant Spring flowering bulbs (but not tulips yet!)

Muscari armeniacum and tulips in my E2 Canalside Planting Design

Spring flowering bulbs including Narcissi, Muscari and Crocuses can be planted from September. Better to wait until November for tulip to help prevent tulip fire, a fungal disease.

3. Check tree ties

Tree ties and stake

Check tree ties and stakes prior to any Autumn gales.

4. Autumn Lawn Maintenance

Aerate lawns with a garden fork

Now is time to start mowing your lawn again with your blades at the highest level. Scarify your lawn with a rake to take out any dead thatch. Aerate with a garden fork and reseed any bare patches.

5. Create an Autumn display

Sedum and Echinachea in my E11 Naturalistic Planting Design

Create an Autumn display by filling gaps in your garden with late Summer flowering perennials including Hylotelephium, Echinachea and Rudbeckia or create a Autumn planter display with Cyclamen, Heathers and Heuchera.

Happy Gardening!