SEPTEMBER is a good month to enjoy the hard work of spring and summer and, although our flower beds could be starting to lose some vigour, it is a time to enjoy the harvest from the veg plot.

We have experienced another mediocre summer with plenty of rain but now enjoying a nice start to September with good amounts of sunshine making it tempting of a summer evening to do a little around the garden or allotment

A return to drier conditions is welcomed by us all but can change the approach we would have in the garden. Plants that require fertile, moisture retentive soils will perhaps have struggled a little this year unless you have been attentive and kept the hose running for these plants. Lavender is a plant that has enjoyed the long dry summer along with It is important to note plants that enjoy nice hot dry periods often don’t like our long wet mild spells that can be characteristic of our autumn and winter, especially last winter when we experienced very few frosts that penetrated in to the soil Hopefully the drier conditions through the summer months will continue and allow bulbs to overwinter in good soil conditions and not rot in the ground due to wet moist soils.

If you are looking to renew plants choose plants that can withstand drought conditions and always make sure you plant new plants in their favoured position.

As we begin to experience shorter light hours we should begin to think about preparing our garden for the autumn and winter that is ahead. September hails a goodbye to summer and the onset of autumn. I’ve noticed already some changes in leaf colour so make sure any leaves that do fall are cleared away from borders and lawns so that areas of lawn are not smothered and cause grass die back and small shrubs are not buried under leaf fall.

Aerating the lawn in September will help drainage and allow the soil to prepare itself for next year with winter frosts hopefully assisting

Spring flowering bulbs – September is a good month to plan your garden for next year, if planting new bulbs then look towards September as a time to plan, purchase and plant your new bulbs.

It is a good time to check on your main crop potatoes and they should be ready for lifting now or anytime soon to over winter. These potatoes should be stored in a dark, frost free area. We had a relatively good mild spring cold which was most beneficial to fruit and veg plots and with the good summer weather continuing for long periods it will allow you time to enjoy the fruits of your labour in the veg garden. This is a good time if you grow sunflowers to cut off the seed head and keep them stored dry to feed the birds over winter. It is also a time to look around the garden for seeds of plants you like and store them in a cool place to be sown in the springtime.