How to get the best from your garden in late Summer & early Autumn
As we move through August and into September, it is like a “bridge” time in the gardening calendar. There’s still plenty of colour and growth, but you can feel the shift — cooler evenings, heavier dews, and plants starting to wind down. Here are the things to keep an eye on, and the jobs to take on now to keep everything looking good and set up for autumn.
- Keep Deadheading for Longer Colour
It’s amazing how much longer dahlias, roses, cosmos and rudbeckia will flower if you keep encouraging them by deadheading them regularly. Removing the whole faded stem rather than just the flower — it keeps plants tidy and pushes out fresh growth.
- Pick Little and Often
Late summer crops can get away from you quickly. Pick courgettes, beans, cucumbers and tomatoes as soon as they’re ready — it keeps plants productive. If you’re growing herbs, now’s the moment to harvest them.
- Sow now for Autumn and Winter
August and early September are brilliant for sowing fast‑growing crops like:
- Spinach
- Rocket
- Lettuce
- Spring onions
They germinate quickly in the warm soil and give you a crop well into autumn.
- Give Tired Borders a Boost
By now, some plants look a bit weary. To boost them apply compost and mulch around anything that’s struggling. It helps retain moisture and gives a gentle feed. If something has truly given up, cut it back — it often regrows better than expected.
- Start Thinking About Autumn Prep
September is the time for gentle tidying rather than full-on clearing.
- Collect fallen fruit to avoid wasps
- Cut back anything flopping over paths
- Check supports and ties after windy days
- Lift and divide overgrown perennials if the soil is still warm
It’s also a lovely time to plant new shrubs and perennials — the soil is warm, and roots establish quickly.
- Keep an Eye on Pests
Late summer brings its own challenges. Slugs love cooler nights, aphids can still appear, and mildew often shows up on the roses. Remove affected leaves quickly, lift your pots and keep good airflow around plants. A little vigilance now saves problems later.
- Plan for Spring
September is when the bulb season begins. If you want daffodils, tulips, crocus or alliums, this is the moment to choose your favourites. Planting starts later, but ordering early means you get the best varieties.
- Enjoy the Slower Pace
Most of all, try to enjoy this time. The garden feels more relaxed, and there’s something lovely about gathering the last tomatoes or watching the first leaves turn. It’s a chance to appreciate what’s grown well — and quietly plan what you’ll tweak next year.
Don’t forget to give your garden the lift it deserves!
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