What to plant in September – the best flowers, shrubs, trees and crops to grow

Are you searching for inspiration for what to grow in September? As we enjoy the remaining warm days of late summer and the peak growth season begins to diminish gradually, it is the perfect time to be out in the garden planting for the seasons ahead.

Whether you want to add more structural trees and shrubs as part of your garden ideas, enhance the spring and summer displays in your flower bed ideas or produce short-season edibles and winter harvesting crops for vegetable garden ideas, there is plenty to accomplish.

As the weather starts to decrease towards the end of September and days shorten, it is the optimum time to grow various improvements to the aesthetic and productive portions of your garden

Make the most of these chilly yet still beautiful days, busily planting and planning.

WHAT TO PLANT IN SEPTEMBER – FLOWERS FOR SPRING COLOR

There is a wide variety of hardy annuals to choose from when deciding what to plant in September. Plants grown from seeds planted in the fall tend to be heartier and more productive, with flowers opening earlier in the spring.

More significant, healthier plants can bloom around six weeks earlier than spring-sown seeds. Plant specialist Sarah Raven says that fall sowing can completely change some cultivars.

While the earth is still warm, you can plant spring bulbs and hardy winter flowers like flowering perennials.

1. AMMI MAJUS 

Bishop’s flower, Ammi Majus, features white, lacy blossoms like a more delicate, refined variety of cow parsley. When creating a September cut flower garden, Sarah recommends this plant as the most delicate white filler foliage option because of its stunning appearance when used alone in large clusters. If you want more significant, more abundant blossoms by late spring, direct sow seeds in the fall and thin seedlings to a spacing of 60 centimetres.

2. SCABIOUS ‘BLACK CAT’ 

The scabious, or pincushion flower, is a member of the dependable iris family. Sarah describes the ‘Black Cat’ scabious as having long, wiry stems covered in crimson pincushion-like flowers with a light, sweet aroma.

It is one of the plants for pollinators since it flowers for an extended period and attracts a variety of beneficial insects.

Plant seeds in warm, protected soil and move young plants to a sunny, cold location for the winter.

3. EUPHORBIA OBLONGATA

Beautiful Euphorbia oblongata, with its acid-green flowers and strong, angular shapes, “is a short-lived perennial, but it flowers best in its first year, so treat it as a hardy annual,” as Sarah puts it.

‘Sow under cover this month, then either plant seedlings in moderate gardens, overwinter in a cold frame, or unheated greenhouse to plant out in the spring. When cutting flowers, it is essential to take precautions to protect your skin from the milky sap, which can cause severe discomfort.

Euphorbia is also a popular cottage garden plant if you design a cottage garden concept.

4. CALENDULA – ENGLISH OR POT MARIGOLDS

The bright orange petals of the hardy annual calendula not only add a pop of colour to flowerbeds and borders but may also be eaten raw in salads.

However, you shouldn’t confuse these with the marigolds in the tagetes family, even if they go by the name “English” or “pot marigolds” as well. It’s not like growing regular marigolds for this particular type.

Calendula seeds should be planted in the flowering soil in September. Before you plant anything, amend the soil with well-rotted compost or, if you’re working with pots, a peat-free, all-purpose compost. Spread the seed thinly in rows and only bury it about half an inch (1.3 cm) below the surface. Keep the area clear of weeds as the roots develop, and then thin the seedlings to a spacing of about 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 centimetres). If you plant them in the fall, you may expect them to bloom in May.

Calendula is a popular flower among pollinators like bees and butterflies, and it also serves as a deterrent to pests because of its powerful aroma.

Amy Enfield, the owner of Bonnies Plants, adds, “If you want a plant that works hard and looks fantastic, you need calendula in your garden.”

5. DAFFODILS

Daffodils and narcissi, the heralds of spring, can be planted as annuals on lawns and meadows or used as decorative accents in flower beds and borders. You will be spoiled for choice come September when picking what to plant, as there are many options.

Daffodil bulbs, which may be planted in either full sun or partial shade, are among the easiest plants to grow from seed.

Gardening expert Monty Don says in a video for Gardeners’ World that planting bulbs deeply is necessary for two reasons: first, so that the plant’s stems are more robust, and second so that the bulbs are less likely to be damaged when you dig in fresh plants the following year.

“Daffodils should stay and flower for years and years,” Monty chimes in.

Planting daffodils in a container with good drainage is essential. Use broken pottery or stones at the bottom of the container before adding multipurpose compost for a beautiful springtime show. Leave the pots in an excellent place to water and rest until new leaves grow, then plant with the rest of your best winter plants for containers and borders.

6. PANSIES

Pretty blossoms available in a large array of colour combinations, winter pansies can enliven your fall garden and brighten garden beds and containers through the colder and darker months.

It is easy to learn how to grow pansies ‘, and they require only a minimum of care to provide a very long flowering season,’ explains Simon Crawford at Burpee Europe.

The earlier you plant these little perennials in September, the more time their roots will have to develop in preparation for the following winter. If you plant pansies in the fall, you can enjoy their colourful blooms all winter and spring.

If you want your plants to survive the winter, fertilize them after planting and then mulch heavily around them before the ground freezes.

To maintain your pansies looking their best and encourage more blooms, you must learn to deadhead them.

WHAT VEGETABLES SHOULD I BE PLANTING IN SEPTEMBER?

Due to the abundance of harvesting in September, planning for future plantings might be challenging. However, there are many veggies to plant in September, so take advantage of the chance to sow crops that will produce early spring and summer vegetables and harvests in the winter.

For small vegetable garden concepts, it is crucial to make the most of every available space and time for planting.

1. SPRING ONIONS

With some early planting, you may get a beautiful start on the spring crop with onions. Grow your spring onions by starting the seeds in a seed tray and then moving the seedlings to their permanent location once they reach a manageable size.

Spring onions are one of the few crops that thrive in partial shade and may thus be grown quickly in a garden.

2. GARLIC

Because of its many culinary applications, garlic is a profitable cultivated crop. A long growing season is essential for successful garlic cultivation; planting in September will produce a more robust harvest.

After planting the cloves in the fall, you’ll have to wait around ten months before harvesting your garlic bulbs and restocking this crucial kitchen component.

Space each clove 15 centimetres apart and plant in rows 30 centimetres apart.

After cultivating your aromatic bulbs, you’ll want to know how to store garlic, so it lasts as long as possible.

3. SHALLOTS

Since shallots require a long growing period, starting the seeds now will guarantee a yield by summer. Put 20 centimetres of space between everyone and 30 centimetres between rows. Use a netting or fleece blanket to protect the birds from your bulbs.

4. SPINACH

Spinach is an ideal crop to plant in September for a winter harvest because of its long growing season, high nutrient content, and low maintenance requirements. The flexible vegetable works well in hearty dishes like stews, pies, and curries.

Success in learning how to produce spinach begins with preparing the soil by working in some high-quality garden compost. Too much compost cannot be added to garden soil. Simon Crawford recommends “vigorous spinach,” arguing that only healthy spinach has any flavour.

Spinach leaves may be harvested in as little as 6–10 weeks. Spinach is another successful container crop.

5. RADISHES

Radishes are versatile vegetables that may be eaten raw in salads or roasted to bring out their milder, earthier flavour.

It’s possible to get larger and better radishes from a fall crop since they don’t bolt as rapidly as their spring-grown counterparts.

Radishes are a fast and straightforward crop to produce in the fall; all you need to do is give them a sunny spot in wet, well-drained soil, and they’ll do fine.

Radishes should be planted in the fall, specifically in September. Since radishes mature rapidly, you may sow a few seeds frequently and enjoy a steady harvest, all during the cooler months. When radishes are at their peak, there are telltale signals that you should select them.

They’re also simple to cultivate, making them a popular choice.

6. TURNIPS

If you do it at the beginning of the month, there is still time to sow turnips for an autumn or winter harvest.

It’s advisable to sow this fast-growing crop in small amounts more frequently. Baby vegetables grown in chilly, moisture-retentive soil and then harvested in whole light are perfect for roasting or using salads.

SHRUBS AND TREES TO PLANT IN SEPTEMBER

Keep evergreen trees and shrubs in mind if you’re trying to figure out what to plant in September.

When planted now, while the soil is still warm and moist, the roots of trees and shrubs should take well and establish with little care on the part of the gardener.

Andy McIndoe, gardening expert and author of Shrubs: Discover the Perfect Plant for Every Place in Your Garden, says that you will have less maintenance to perform next season if you plant now.

I am preparing the ground properly before planting is essential. Garden compost, or a compost produced specifically for shrubs and trees, should be dug in heavily.

Planting trees and shrubs in September is a great way to add seasonal colour to your yard.

1. COTINUS – SMOKE BUSH

Different species of Cotinus have other coloured leaves, from green to purple in the spring and summer and from a brilliant yellow in the fall to a deep scarlet in the winter.

Due to its puffy pink summer blossoms, continue is commonly referred to as the smoke bush.

Always give a plant a good soaking before transplanting it, and make sure the hole you dig is large enough to accommodate the rootball and some extra soil on all sides. Firm the dirt around the plant’s base once it has been backfilled.

2. HYDRANGEAS

Hydrangeas are a popular garden plant due to their showy flowerheads, which can be found in various forms and colours (most commonly blue, pink, and white).

Hydrangeas are an attractive option for a burst of colour from summer into fall, and they thrive in partial shade. According to gardening guru Leigh Clapp, the most striking results can be achieved by planting large areas of various colours or repeatedly producing the same plants.

Hydrangeas, a deciduous hardy blooming shrub, should be planted in September when the soil is still warm and moist.

They like well-drained soil but will grow in other conditions; some kinds’ flower colours are affected by soil pH. For example, if the soil is acidic rather than alkaline, some plants whose blossoms are typically pink will have blue ones instead.

Give the new plants a mulch of leaf mould to assist retain moisture, as Monty Don advises, since “hydrangeas prefer wetness”, as their names suggest.

To succeed with your hydrangeas, you’ll need to know when to plant different varieties and how to prune hydrangeas.

3. JAPANESE MAPLE – ACER PALMATUM

Japanese maple trees, also known as Acer palmatum, come in several forms and sizes and offer a wide range of fall foliage colour options. When it comes to autumn foliage, these trees rank high.

A purple-leafed cultivar, such as ‘Bloodgood’ or ‘Fireglow,’ is my go-to. According to Andy McIndoe, these provide a beautiful display of fall foliage colour after providing spring and summer splendour.

September is the best time to plant acres in a protected, partially shaded location when planning a Japanese garden. To produce a tree, you should dig a hole two times as wide as the root ball and somewhat more profound. Add a layer of planting compost combined with grit if the soil is particularly dense. Once planted, give enough water throughout the first growing season.

HERBS AND SALADS TO PLANT IN SEPTEMBER

Herbs and salad greens benefit from the warm soil, cooler weather, and moisture in the ground at this time of year to swiftly establish themselves.

Some herbs, like those that are part of your herb garden ideas, do better in the cooler fall months than the warmer spring months since they are less prone to bolt. This indicates that you can plant some herbs in the fall in September.

1. CILANTRO – CORIANDER

Cilantro is a popular ingredient in eastern and Indian cuisines and gives salads a unique, pronounced flavour.

Cilantro is a low-maintenance crop that may be planted in the ground in September. Pick a position within easy reach of the kitchen so you can frequently grab a handful of leaves from this versatile herb. Little and often is the most excellent way to plant the seeds.

Mastering the art of harvesting cilantro will provide you with a steady supply of fresh leaves for cooking and garnishing.

2. ROCKET

It’s easy to dismiss salad leaves as a September planting option because of their association with warmer weather fare, but you shouldn’t.

If you’re looking for something to plant in September that will give your salads or pasta meals a unique flavour, try some spicy and peppery rocket leaves.

Plant a few seeds every two weeks in a sunny, weed-free area with well-drained soil to get a steady product supply. Plant seeds approximately an inch (2.5 centimetres) apart in prepared soil and water them thoroughly afterwards. When the temperature outside lowers, cover plants with horticultural fleece to save them from being damaged.

About four weeks after planting, you may start harvesting the leaves, and it’s best to go for the younger, gentler ones.

3. WINTER LETTUCE

Lettuces are a reliable harvest from the garden and can be planted in the fall. You can have a steady supply of new leaves until spring if you seed them every few weeks during September and October.

The process of tending lettuce plants in the winter is identical to spring and summer. As a cool-season crop, lettuce often performs best when planted in September.

To guarantee a steady supply of fresh, healthy lettuce leaves, you must learn how to harvest them properly.

Those are all excellent crops and plants to get you started, but September is a terrific time to plant all kinds of other things.

JOBS TO DO IN THE GARDEN IN SEPTEMBER

Herbaceous perennials such as geraniums, delphiniums, and lupins benefit from being divided after flowering and replanted in new locations.

Hedge trimming is necessary to keep hedges in shape, prevent them from becoming messy, and promote healthy growth; however, care must be taken not to disturb any nesting birds.

To prevent the spread of disease and pests, it is essential to regularly clean the greenhouse’s glass with warm, soapy water and disinfect the floor and shelves with an eco-friendly disinfectant.

By snipping off the wasted flowerheads in late summer, you can extend the flowering time of plants like dahlias, roses, and penstemons into the fall.