The garden in September

Autumn is fast approaching, and the gardening season is drawing to a close. But even, or perhaps especially, in September there is still plenty of work to be done in the ornamental garden.

Planting flower bulbs

September is the ideal time to plant bulbs for spring flowers like snowdrops, crocuses, and daffodils. To prevent moisture-sensitive bulbs such as tulips and lilies from rotting, the soil should be well-draining. If it's too heavy, add some gravel. Plant the bulb twice as deep as it is tall. Wait until mid- to late October to plant tulip bulbs to avoid them falling prey to voles. Incidentally, these rodents have little interest in crown imperial, daffodils, or fritillaries.

Divide and prune perennials

Perennials and shrubs with compact root balls can be planted from September onwards. September is also an ideal planting month for peonies and irises. Overgrown perennials can be divided now, but wait until they have finished flowering. At the same time, remove any withered or diseased root parts. Good to know: Smaller divisions will grow into strong plants more quickly than larger ones.

Lawn care and reseeding

Your lawn deserves some extra care after the summer's stresses. Now is the time to reseed any bare patches. The seeds will germinate faster than in spring because the soil is still warm. Before sowing, loosen the soil and remove any dead grass. In autumn, avoid using slow-release fertilizer; instead, use a fertilizer with a high potassium content, as this will make the grass more resistant to frost.