September Gardening Tips and Events
As the cooler weather of fall creeps in, there’s still plenty to do in the garden. From extending the growing season to participating in community garden events, September offers many opportunities for gardening enthusiasts. Here are the important updates and tips for September 27, 2024.
Extending the Growing Season
As summer harvest wraps up, it’s a great time to think about planting a fall garden. Vegetables like kale, broccoli, cauliflower, collards, cabbage, spinach, parsley, and lettuce thrive in cooler temperatures. Planning and planting these now can extend your growing season and keep your garden productive well into the fall.
Kale, in particular, is a wonderful choice for fall gardens. It thrives in cool weather and actually improves in flavor after a frost. For the best results, direct-seed kale ½-1 inch apart with rows 1-3 feet apart and thin them out to 12-18 inches apart. Other good fall vegetables include cabbages, cauliflower, parsley, and quick-maturing mini beetroots.
Community Garden Events
One of the highlights of the gardening community is the Fall Garden Expo. Although the event was canceled this year due to weather, it’s typically a great occasion for interacting with local gardeners and vendors. The Fall Garden Expo in Gainesville, GA, usually includes dozens of vendors selling native plants, evergreens, garden art, and more. The Hall County Master Gardeners present the event, which also features educational sessions and an Ask a Master Gardener table.
Garden Maintenance for Fall
Fall is an ideal time for lawn care, especially if your lawn has suffered from the summer heat and drought. Reseed your lawn with turf-type fescues, which are tough and disease-resistant. Apply the grass seed at half the rate typically used for new lawns to ensure optimal growth.
It’s also a good time to care for your fruit trees. September is perfect for grafting apples, pears, and other fruit trees. For plants like raspberries and blackberries, cutting them back now will encourage new stems for next year’s crop.
Additional Gardening Tips
Ensure your autumn-sown broad beans have adequate support, and sow spinach and orach where they are to mature. When it comes to flower care, prune spring-flowering shrubs after they finish blooming to promote new growth. Hard pruning of clematis after flowering, and dividing rhododendrons this month, can also ensure healthy plants.
Finally, don’t forget about sustainability in your gardening practices. Emphasize organic gardening, permaculture, and the use of sustainable materials. Recycling and composting can significantly reduce waste and promote a healthier environment.
Happy gardening, and enjoy everything this September has to offer!
