Fall is my favorite time of year! I love the cool weather, planting and preparing the garden for next season, and getting ready to nest for the winter. Here are six gardening tasks I’m tackling in the month of September. Consider adding them to your checklist too.
Refresh Planters for Fall
I’ll admit my planters were a bit neglected at the end of summer. Between travel and hot weather, they didn’t get watered or pruned as much as they should have. This month I’m setting aside an afternoon to refresh them so they’ll look pretty for the next few months. I’ve chosen perennials (creeping Jenny and salvia) that will return next spring, and I’m going with pinks and purples instead of the typical fall oranges and yellows—just a personal preference that makes me happy.
I left a little room in the back and sides of this planter so that I can add a few pansies when they come in at the garden center. Charlyne Mattox for Country Living
Plant Perennials
In zone 8a, early fall is the perfect time to plant most perennials (with some exceptions). We still have weeks of warm weather followed by a few months of mild cold, giving the plants plenty of time to establish strong roots. By spring, they’ll bounce back quickly and be well-rooted before the summer heat sets in.
Rake Fallen Leaves into Garden Beds
While September brings a light scattering of leaves, the big leaf drop won’t happen until October and November. Still, I like to keep things neat and tidy, so I rake any fallen leaves into the garden beds. There, they act as natural mulch, conserving moisture and helping to keep weeds under control.
Charlyne Mattox for Country Living
Plant Cool-Weather Crops
September is ideal for planting tender greens like spinach and lettuce. Cooler temperatures encourage healthy growth and reduce the risk of bolting, while shorter days make for sweeter, more tender harvests. It’s also the perfect time to plant radishes, which thrive in fall weather and develop crisp, mild roots before the first frost.
Bring in Houseplants
Charlyne Mattox for Country Living
Many houseplants—ferns, philodendrons, and succulents, for example—absolutely love summer outdoors, where they soak up extra sunlight, humidity, and warmth. The fresh air encourages stronger growth, brighter foliage, and sometimes even flowers. But once nighttime temperatures dip to around 50ºF, it’s time to bring them back inside. Before moving them, I always check carefully for bugs so I don’t invite pests indoors.
Plant Garlic and Shallots for Next Year
This is a new experiment for me, and I’m excited to try! I use both garlic and shallots often in cooking, so growing them myself feels especially rewarding. Both should be planted in fall before the ground freezes so they can develop strong roots over winter. Come spring, they’ll take off quickly and be ready to harvest by early to mid-summer.
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