Gardeners’ World presenter Monty Don has said people should act sooner rather than later
Sophie Buchan Money and Lifestyle Writer and Lauran O’Toole
12:59, 15 Sep 2025
Monty Don has shared some guidance for September(Image: Guido Mieth via Getty Images)
As September heralds the arrival of autumn, there are numerous tasks to undertake for those wishing to see their gardens thrive this winter. Sharing his expertise, Gardeners’ World presenter Monty Don is encouraging Brits to perform one particular task in their gardens this month that will aid new plant growth and protect delicate varieties before winter arrives.
The gardening guru advises gardeners to take cuttings, which he describes as “the gateway to producing scores of new plants for free”. September is an ideal time to take cuttings as it allows for replacement plants to be ready by next spring, and also encourages rapid root development in the autumn before colder weather sets in.
For those who have never taken cuttings before, Monty Don reassures them not to feel overwhelmed. Before embarking on any cutting, ensure you have a plastic bag, a sharp knife, and secateurs at hand. The bag is intended for immediate placement of the cut material to minimise moisture loss.
September is the perfect month to take cuttings(Image: Getty)
The optimal time for taking cuttings is in the morning when the plant is most hydrated, reports the Express. Monty Don advises: “Always choose healthy, strong, straight growth for cutting material.
“It should be free from any flowers or flower buds. Plants like rosemary will root successfully from side shoots that have been peeled from the main stem but where there is plenty of material I prefer to take shoots with the growing tip intact.
“Once you have taken material from the plant and placed it in the polythene bag go and pot them up immediately. The quicker you can do this, the more likely you are to have success.”
Taking cuttings is ‘the gateway to producing scores of new plants for free'(Image: Getty)
Taking a stem cutting is the simplest method to establish roots for creating a new plant and works best with trailing houseplants or leafy garden varieties. For optimal results, always ensure you strip away surplus foliage, retaining only a handful at the cutting’s tip.
After preparing your cuttings, ensure they receive adequate watering and maintain moisture levels with daily misting, which prevents the leaves from drying out before new roots can develop.
Monty Don said it will be easy to see when you’ve successfully carried out these tasks, concluding: “You will know that the roots have formed when you see fresh new growth. At that point the cuttings can be removed from the pot and potted on individually before planting out next spring.”
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