September Garden Tips

Perhaps an Indian summer..... lets hope September brings sunshine at last..  You may need to continue with pest control throughout the garden. A good time for Lawn repair as well as harvesting vegetables and fruit. Enjoy your garden but there are many chores, such as clearing finished crops and plants to keep up with this month. Now is the time to complete those landscaping projects.

LAWNS

Apply sand or autumn feed and aerate lawns to maintain healthy growth.  If you have a patch that is damaged or heavily infested then repair it or lay new turf in that area. Such things as bindweed or couch grass need to be removed form the area. Either spray with a weed killer such as Round Up, and leave for a few days or else dig it out . Prepare the area for seeding, rake in new seed and cover with a dressing of compost and turf mulch. You might lay out a mesh of wool across the seeded area to keep birds away. Your renovated lawn will appear over the next two weeks.

HEDGING

Last trim late this month.  Plant new evergreen hedges from mid Septembeer.

ROSES

In order to get those long stems, remove any small buds with your fingers to allow the main stem to grow. Continue with pest control.  Remember to hoe the soil for aeration. Also time to think about and plan late autumn planting for next year

HERBACEOUS BORDERS

Cut back any flowers that have finished flowering.  Trim dead heads from others, and keep plants well supported especially in windy weather.  For sweet pea mulch and water as needed. Fertilise others such as chrysanthemums.  Take cuttings for the house  Plant bulbs between shrubs for spring flowering.  Plant Daffodils and tulips for spring and Irises for next May . Stake and tie up remaing flowers such as gladioli , Dahlias against equinox gales.

TREES & SHRUBS

Keep any grass away from the trunks of shrubs and trees and remove any self sown trees or shrubs such as sycamore or ash. Prune shrubs that have finished flowering.  You can plant evergreen shrubs during a damp spell and support them with stakes till established

PATIOS & DECKING

Planter will need regular watering. Remove dead heads and top dress the pots . Make sure pots are in a shady place when the sun is hottest. Clean out pots not required for winter and store.

VEGETABLES

Now is the time to sow winter cabbage seeds  and also lettuce for early winter. On the herb front take cuttings from mint, sage or rosemary and put in pots.  Sow parsley and chervil.

FRUIT

Harvest fruits  such as apples, pears and plums as they ripen and store in a cool dark place. Pick late varieties of strawberries and raspberries.  Plan any new fruit trees for planting in late October.

Monkeypuzzle.ie will be delighted to help with any of the above or any other garden or landscaping matters.  Please call Daragh at 012897751