September represents summer giving way to autumn. The days are still long and sometimes even sunny, but the colors are turning golden, ochre and dark red. Some flowers are playing prolonged games to our delight, keeping us company for a few tasks in the garden.
- Lawn care
- Cutting back grimacing perennials
- Dig out and divide mature perennials (after 2 years)
- Order spring bulbs
- Observe your garden
Lawn care
If you like your lawn neat and tidy, now is the time to scarify it and remove moss or other dead/dried parts by raking afterwards. Remove weeds and prepare the soil for reseeding bald areas.
Cutting back grimacing perennials
Cut back perennials (plants that disappear in winter but come back in spring) that have finished flowering and no longer look their best, to ground level or a few cm above. But leave in place the plants, stems and dried flowers that add structure. They’ll look great with the first frost or morning dew, and are an excellent source of food and refuge for all kinds of insects and birds. Grasses also stay in place to offer us a moving spectacle all winter long.
Dig out and divide mature perennials (after 2 years)
Divide perennials of 2 years or more (after flowering) that are getting too big, forming a compact clump or losing vigor. You can do this by removing the plant from the ground with a spade, taking care to keep a small clod of soil around the roots. Then, either separate the plant into smaller pieces by hand. Or cut the clod in half with a clean stroke of the spade. Repeat this step as many times as necessary, depending on the size of the plant.
Then plant the “new” plants in your flower beds with compost and water.
Order spring bulbs
September is the perfect month to order spring bulbs. Don’t hesitate to order them in large quantities, as they look best planted in groups of 10-20 bulbs. There’s something for everyone, with a bloom for almost every month from January onwards. Perce neiges, crocuses, daffodils, tulips, fritillaries, hyacinths, alliums… Did you know that most bulbs bloom from year to year, and that if they like where they’re planted, they can multiply and form a carpet of flowers? Go ahead and place your order – you’ll be delighted!
Observe your garden
This month, take a look at your garden and note whether it lacks color in certain corners, structure, or the last or first rays of sunlight of the day. This will help you to embellish your plant beds by adding late-blooming flowers, or to plan any future landscaping projects.