Posted by Tom Steel on 25th Aug 2026

Gardening Jobs for September

As we move into September, the days may be getting shorter and cooler, but there’s still plenty to keep gardeners busy. Harvest season is in full swing, making September a pivotal yet potentially rewarding month for the garden. Here are our top gardening tips and jobs to help you get the most out of that potential.

What to plant in September

Refresh pots with autumn interest

Revive tired containers with Cyclamen, Heucheras, Heathers or Violas for fresh seasonal colour. These plants thrive in cooler weather and will brighten up patios through autumn.

Sow hardy annuals for early summer colour

Start Cerinthe, cornflower, Scabiosa and Ammi seeds now to give them time to establish before winter. These hardy annuals will flower earlier and more vigorously next year than spring sowings.

Introduce spring bedding for a cheerful start next year

Add Wallflowers, Pansies, forget-me-nots and other spring bedding to borders or pots while the soil is still warm. Early planting helps them root deeply and survive the cold months ahead.

Plant spring-flowering bulbs

September is a great time to plant Narcissus, Crocus and Hyacinth bulbs. Plant them in borders, containers or lawns now, and they'll reward you with colour from late winter onwards.

Tip: Choose a sunny or partially shaded spot with free-draining soil, and plant bulbs at the depth recommended on the pack.

Add late-flowering perennials for pollinators

Fill bare spots in borders with Sedums, Rudbeckias or Asters to support bees and butterflies into the autumn. Their rich colours and nectar-rich blooms keep the garden lively as summer fades.

We have an exclusive range of J. Parker’s own perennial plants available in 1 Litre + pots. Just pop them into your beds, borders or containers and enjoy instant impact.

Garden jobs in September

Divide overgrown perennials

Perennials like Phlox, Hemerocallis and Astrantia can become congested - lift and divide them to encourage fresh growth and prolong their life. It’s also a great way to fill gaps or share plants with friends.

Tip: Replant divisions promptly and water well to help them establish.

Take cuttings from tender plants

Propagate favourites like Salvias, Pelargoniums and Fuchsias now to overwinter indoors. Cuttings taken while it's still warm will root quickly and be ready for potting up in spring.

Tip: Choose non-flowering shoots and remove lower leaves for best results.

Prune trained apple and pear trees

Give cordons, espaliers and fan-trained fruit trees a final trim - shorten side shoots to maintain structure and encourage fruit bud development. This keeps trees compact and productive.

Tip: Always use clean, sharp tools to reduce the risk of disease.

Lift and store tender bulbs

Gladioli, Begonias and other tender bulbs should be lifted before frost arrives. Let them dry out completely before storing in a cool, frost-free place.

Tip: Brush off excess soil, but avoid washing bulbs to prevent rot.

Apply vine weevil control in pots

Now’s the time to target vine weevil grubs, which can devastate potted plants over winter. Use biological controls like nematodes or apply a suitable insecticide.

Tip: Check for notched leaf edges - an early sign of adult vine weevils.

Collect and store seeds from garden favourites

Harvest mature seed from plants like Nigella, Aquilegia and Calendula to save for next year’s sowing. Make sure they’re fully dry before sealing them in labelled paper envelopes.

Tip: Store seeds somewhere cool, dry and mouse-proof to maintain viability.

Tidy hedges and reshape topiary

Trim hedges and clipped evergreens like box and yew before growth slows. This keeps them looking crisp through autumn and into winter.

Tip: Avoid cutting into old wood - many evergreens won’t regrow from it.

Protect tender plants from early frosts

Move frost-sensitive plants such as Fuchsias, Pelargoniums and Gazanias under cover before temperatures drop. This gives them a better chance of making it through winter ready to grow again next year.

Tip: Check plants carefully for pests before bringing them indoors.

Clean up borders and remove spent foliage

Cut back faded perennials, clear fallen leaves, and tidy up tired borders. This helps reduce overwintering pests and disease while keeping the garden looking smart.

Tip: Leave some seed heads for wildlife and winter interest where possible.

Harvest the rewards of your garden

Pick apples and pears

September is a prime month for harvesting apples and pears as they reach maturity. Pick fruit as it ripens and enjoy fresh from the tree or store suitable varieties for later in the year.

Tip: Gently lift and twist fruit - if it comes away easily, it’s usually ready to harvest.

Lift maincrop potatoes

Harvest remaining maincrop potatoes before prolonged wet weather arrives. Choose a dry day and allow the tubers to dry before storing.

Tip: Remove any damaged or bruised potatoes before putting the rest into storage.

Make the most of autumn raspberries

Continue picking autumn-fruiting raspberries as they ripen. Regular harvesting encourages plants to keep producing throughout the season.

Tip: Pick berries when they’re dry and fully coloured for the best flavour.

Sow hardy vegetables now for autumn and winter

There’s still time to sow hardy vegetables for autumn and winter harvests. Kale, pak choi and lettuce can all be started now, with varieties such as Kale Borecole Vates Blue Curled, Pak Choi Red F1 and Lettuce All Year Round well-suited to cooler conditions.

Tip: Sow in fertile, well-drained soil and keep young plants well watered. Protect crops with fleece, cloches or netting where needed as temperatures fall and pests remain active.

PARKER’S PICKS

Allium ‘Millennium’
Supplied as Loose Roots
Packs of 1 & 3
Shop now

Tulip ‘Maureen Double’
Supplied as 11/12cm Bulbs
Packs of 10 & 20
Shop now

Sedum ‘Purple Emperor’
Supplied as 9cm Pot Grown Plants
Pack of 1 & 3
Shop now

Buddleja davidii ‘White Profusion’
Supplied as 9cm Pot Grown Plants
Pack of 1 & 2
Shop now

Growing Guides for September

Achillea | Heuchera | Hydrangea | Rudbeckia | Scabiosa

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