Garden Chores by Month: September

Fall is here (for some of us) and it's time to take care of your garden for the upcoming colder months. As a gardener, you want to make sure your garden is prepared for the cooler weather that September brings. Here are some tasks to get your garden ready for autumn. 

First, harvest any remaining vegetables and fruits before the cold weather sets in. This includes peppers, squash, tomatoes, cucumbers, and more. You don’t want these crops to spoil with the arrival of frost! Once they’re harvested, you can use them in your cooking or preserve them for later use. 

Second, trim away any dead or dying leaves or branches from shrubs and trees. These can cause disease or attract pests if left untreated. Cut back plants that have outgrown their allotted space and prune anything else that needs a tidy-up. This will help give your garden a neat look throughout wintertime as well as helping protect any plants from heavy winds or snowfall. 

Third, pull out weeds before they set down deep roots into the soil for next season. If left unchecked, these pesky intruders will make a return come springtime. You can either pull them out manually or use an organic weedkiller for quick results (just be sure to follow directions carefully!). 

Fourth, spread mulch around beds and other planting areas in order to keep soil warm throughout wintertime and suppress weed growth too! This helps create a natural layer of insulation which protects roots and plant life beneath the surface while still allowing moisture in – all necessary factors during this time of year. 

Lastly, check over your equipment to ensure it’s in proper working condition before you put it away until next season rolls around again! Sharpen up blades on shears or pruners, inspect hoses for cracks or holes, tighten nuts and bolts on tools... All this will save you a lot of trouble when it comes time to use them again come springtime. 

With just a few tasks like these taken care of now – you’ll have your garden ready to brave any cooler weather that September throws at it! Happy gardening!