September Guide

September Growing Tips

What's going on in September?

In short – there’s still loads going on in September! You’ll still be busy harvesting loads of the lovely fruit and vegetables you’ve grown, as well as managing your upcoming winter crops. If you’ve been growing fruit this is a bumper month to harvest and store for the winter.

The days start getting shorter but there’s still plenty of warm sunshine to enjoy. If your little ones have gone back to school you may have lost a couple of handy helpers, but encourage them to go back talk to friends and teachers about what you’ve achieved together over the summer.

The weather in September

Although the daytime temperatures may start cooling off, September still has plenty of sunny days so make sure you’re making the most of the weather by getting outside. Cooler evenings/ mornings and clear nights may lead to the first few frosts of the season but these aren’t that common.

The wind does start picking up in September, so make sure you’re staying on top of clearing leaves/ other debris from your growing space.

Main things to accomplish

Make sure you’re harvesting everything that’s ready – there should be a great variety of fruit and vegetables. If you’ve got a bumper crop and have more food than you’ll be able to eat immediately, think about clever ways to store your fruit and vegetables. We’ve put a few ideas of our own here (BLOG LINK).

Clear autumn debris from your growing spaces, as this will prevent pests and diseases getting too comfortable and ensure your growing space is healthy in time for Spring next year.

Digging Deeper into jobs for this month

Prep

- Start clearing Autumn debris
- Dig over heavy soil before the Autumn rains
Sowing & Planting

SOW OUTSIDE
Spring Cabbage, Hardy Greens (Pak Choi, Lambs Lettuce, Kale), Chard
PLANT INSIDE
Brassicas
PLANT OUTSIDE
Garlic, Spring Cabbage, Strawberry Plants
Tending

- Water August Strawberries
- Cut off Apples/ Pears with mildew
- Earth Up Celery
- Cut down Asparagus foliage
- Think about netting protection from birds for all ripening fruits
Harvesting

- Harvest Tomatoes, Peppers, Spinach
- Pick Pumpkins, Squashes
- Pick Apples/ Pears as they ripen
- Lift maincrop Potatoes
- Begin lifting Root vegetables
- Freeze Blackberries/ Raspberries until needed
- Wrap Apples in newspaper to store
Eating

- Make Lynne's Homemade Tomato sauce
- Make Apple Smores

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