Things to do in the SEPTEMBER garden

• Plant spring flowerbulbs, starting with daffodils, crocus, Siberian squills, glory-of-the-snow (Chionodoxa), dwarf irises, hyacinths, Anemone blanda and species tulips.

• Pansies, wallflowers, forget-me-not and Brompton stocks are FINE FLOWERING COMPANIONS FOR BULBS, especially good to set over tulip and daffodil bulbs.

• Continue deadheading flowers, and weeding. Unless the rains come early the garden will need long, slow waterings to supply plants with adequate moisture at their deepest roots.

• As the weather cools, DIG AND DIVIDE congested or overgrown perennials, OR REPOSITION PERENNIAL PLANTS while their appearance and dimensions are clear. Plant new perennials this month.
  
  
• September is an ideal LAWN SEEDING month. The ground remains warm for rapid germination of the grass seed, while cooling weather allows for easier maintenance of an evenly moist soil surface.

• Weed around BRUSSELS SPROUTS plants. Then top their root area with a layer of compost and tread firmly around the plants to encourage the formation of tight, firm sprouts.

• Bring HOUSE PLANTS that have summered outdoors back into the house. Clean them well first, and make sure they are free of pests.

• Earth up leeks and celery.

• Pot spring flowerbulbs for INDOOR BLOOM during the winter. Store the pots in a dark place, ideally at temperatures around 9 C. Pot prepared hyacinth bulbs before the middle of the month for bloom at Christmas.

• Plant pansies, wallflowers, primulas, flowering kale and cabbage, Brompton stocks and forget-me-not into garden beds and containers.

• As soon as the fruit is harvested, prune the PLUM TREES. Check out our decadent plum recipe in our Fall Garden section.

• Keep hanging basket and planter flowers groomed by clipping off dead flowers and plant parts.

• Lift ONION BULBS once the tops have withered. Dry the bulbs well in a warm, dry, sunny location for about 10 days, and store in a cool, dark, dry place.

• Lift and compost annual flower and vegetable plants that have finished producing.