A gardening expert has revealed there are four tasks you need to complete in September if you want a healthy and flourishing garden in the springtime.
Helena Jones said that this month is the perfect time to prepare your garden for winter and look ahead to next year.
She explained: “Having some wonderful colours and flowery displays to look forward to in spring the following year can help us take on winter with a smile and getting these jobs done now means you can help you to fill your garden the following year without additional cost.”
Jones, from Hedges Direct, advised people to plant shrubs over the next month, to give them a “really good chance of a healthy start”.
She explained: “The heat of the summer has mostly passed, and throughout winter, they should get plenty of rain. This helps root growth and means that the plant will be ready to flourish next year.”
The expert recommended planting hydrangeas, as these can tolerate full sun to full shade, and Continus Coggygria, which is also known as the smoke bush and can thrive in full sun or partial shade.
Another good choice is Ceanothus – a blue-flowered plant that can be grown low or trained into a miniature tree.
September is also a good time to tend to drought-stressed plants. If you have had very little rain due to a few hot summer months, you should give your plants a deep watering and prune off any damaged material.
Jones said: “Apply a thick layer of mulch around the base of the stem; this can be bark or wood chip, compost, or well-rotted manure.”
Another thing gardeners should do over the next few weeks is collect seeds from trees and shrubs to grow next year.
Jones explained: “You can plant them straight into the ground in an area of well-drained soil, or you can keep them in a cool, dry place and plant them in spring. Try collecting acorns and conkers, as these are easy to germinate. Hawthorn, rowan, blackthorn, hazel, and lavender are also easy to grow from seeds.”
Planting perennials and sowing hardy annuals should be a priority in September if you wish to see colour in your garden later on.
Bulbs can also be planted now, as this allows them to set out roots before the soil gets too damp. Jones suggested allium, crocus, daffodil, tulip, snowdrop and grape hyacinth.
Preparing your lawn for winter involves continuing to mow the grass, but make sure to raise the cutting height of your mower. Finally, you should look out for pests and diseases like powdery mildew, honey fungus, and vine weevil.