September Garden Tasks | What to Make and Grow

September Garden Tasks

These are examples of tasks I like to do in my cold-climate garden (zone 6). Every garden is different, and we each adapt based on climate, growing zone and conditions, the plant species, challenges, and time and resources available. Please take the inspiration and run/grow with it.

Here in southwestern Ontario, Canada, September is a turning point—and the long farewell to summer. Fall is in the air. Summer perennials are turning to seed. Leaves begin to change colour. Wildlife begins preparations for the winter ahead. There will be hot days and cold days as summer and winter gradually trade off.

When I was a kid, autumn marked the time to close up our gardens until spring. These days we know we can continue growing food throughout the cold seasons, so it also marks a beginning.

Monthly Garden Tasks

January | February | March | April | May | June
July | August | September | October | November | December

Grow

Planting, Sowing, & Preparations

The best thing you can do for your fall garden is leave the ‘mess’ as it is. Unless diseased, invasive, or pest-infested, all that old plant growth from the summer-flower perennials, fall leaves, decomposing branches, and more, is vital food and habitat for all living things in our gardens and environment. Most birds, bees, butterflies, insects, mammals live amongst us all year-round. They need this stuff to live. We need them to survive.

I may do these tasks in September or October, depending on the weather. If summer keeps pushing on, I hold off. If it’s a cool, damp, early fall, I go ahead and get stuff done.

• Prep raised beds for early spring sowing. Weed, add compost, cover with squirrel screens.
• Plant spring and summer flowering bulbs (in ground and containers), and garlic. Tag and photograph planting areas.
• Sow flower seeds that benefit from a winter chill.
• Use lawnmower to mulch (chop up) fall leaves and add to garden beds and leaf mold pile. Save a few bags for winter composting.
• Divide and transplant astilbe, peony, and more.
• Remove and dispose of any invasive, pest-ridden, or diseased plants or leaves.
• Sow quick-growing veggies for fall harvesting.
• Take hardwood cuttings and root new plants.
• Keep turning the compost pile 2x week until it freezes up.

Pond

• Maintain pond pump. Avoid invasive pond plants. Use this simple tip for keeping the water sparkling clear.

Wildlife

• Continue feeding hummingbirds until you are certain they have gone south. They need the fuel!
• Set up winter bird feeding stations. Clean, repair, store breakable feeders.

Indoors

• Force (grow) indoor flowering bulbs including paperwhites, amaryllis, and more.

Harvest

• Bring in mature crops – leafy greens, brassicas, fall fruit, late tomatoes, nuts and more.
• Carrots, potatoes, beets, turnips, squash to storage.
• Save seeds from favorite plants.

Overwinter & Protect

• Transition summering houseplants and tender perennials including geraniums (Pelargoniums) and fig trees to life indoors.
• Dig up and store tender bulbs including dahlias, caladiums, cannas, gladiolas, elephant ears, begonias.
• Clean, repair, sharpen garden tools.
• Clean, repair store breakable garden art, flower pots, outdoor furniture and decor.
• Setup winter vegetable garden covers.
• Add wind protectors for vulnerable shrubs.
• Winterize ponds and water features.
• Clean out garden shed.
• Dry season? Water trees and young plants.

Make

Creative Fall Projects

There are many riches from the garden to craft with!

Here’s some project ideas.

• Crafts and recipes to make with lavender
• Crafts and projects to make with pressed flowers
• Make an owl wreath? Hoo me? Yes, you.
• Build a dome greenhouse to extend the growing season
• If you like to store food, there are various options for cold food storage.

Ideas

Dream & Scheme

• If you like to make handmade gifts, now is the time to gather your materials from the garden. These ones all cost $20 or less to make.
• A well-placed mirror (safely done) can bring light and interest to your winter garden.
• These crafty projects can be completed in an afternoon.
• A block of natural beeswax can make a lot of lovely things including candles, lotions, and more.

Observe & Enjoy

You may not know it by the name phenology, but you certainly know what it is. Phenology is the science of observing annual first events in nature.  When flower buds open. When peepers first peep. When bees appear. When migrations arrive. When bulbs pop up. The list is endless.

Seasonal changes prompt natural responses in the plant and animal kingdoms. It is interesting to note these events and compare year over year.

Autumn Phenological Events

Here’s a few examples you might notice.

• Tree leaves changing colour. You can read why leaves change colour here.
• Bird feeders may be very active as they prepare for winter.
• Migrating birds and butterflies may pass through your garden.
• Flowering plants produce seeds.
• Squirrels and chipmunks increase their food stashes.
• Foggy mornings. It’s like a prelude to frost.

Want a Handy Checklist of Fall Garden Tasks?

CLICK HERE

Happy September. Happy fall!

~Melissa the Empress of Dirt ♛

Monthly Garden Tasks

January | February | March | April | May | June
July | August | September | October | November | December