Jobs to do in the garden this september

Spring is in the air.  As you move about your garden you will notice that so many plants have already blossomed and are showing off their beautiful colours. The wind blows a lot now this month, drying out the air, and temperatures warm up quickly. Preparing for the hot, dry period is essential to protect your garden from the heat.

Vegetables

Here are some ideas of vegetables that you can get started this month:

Tomatoes, peppers, chillies, lettuces, kale, Chinese cabbage, spinach, radishes and beetroot are your biggest seedlings. (why these seedlings and not others) e.g most of these will be able to tolerate the coming hot temperatures

[insert pictures of vegetable garden]

Depending on the variety, vegetable seedlings can take time to germinate. So, in each area where you plant your seedlings, date it and record the time. You have to water every day. Every single day, a sprinkle is most important to keep them moist and get a good percentage of germination.

[insert images of seeds and seedlings]

As you are germinating your seeds remember to:

• Keep the vegetable areas you are going to plant in moist. (why)

• Get your seedlings now, before it starts getting very, very hot.

• Planting early in the morning is most important. Cover with grass, keep mulching and feeding (with what).

• Keep mulching(why). e.g by adding compose or dry leaves you will help retain the moisture that the plants will need as they grow.

Shrubs

This time of the year, you get a lot of dead branches. Trim dead branches and always put them onto your compost. Dead branches are the best to soak before you put them onto the bottom of your compost.

[insert Greenspace pruning video]

Mulching your beds is vital at this time of the year to keep the moisture, the moisture low, so that you keep the salts low.

Mulch (grass and leaf cuttings) in a garden bed

Feeding now is your time. When everything is flowering, they’re drawing up every bit of energy from the soil. So it’s very important to feed.

Lawn

The lawn is the centrepiece in many gardens and generally consumes quite a bit of water to keep it green.  You will also start to notice patches of your lawn which do not thrive as much as others.

Leaves and lawn clippings can actually feed the soil allowing them to grow healthier

To freshen up your lawn, take time to:

• Work on weak, thin or bare areas of the lawn

• Till or loosen the soil.(why)

• Add compost to improve soil structure and moisture retention.

• Replace bare areas with new lawn runners.

• Encourage the runners to spread and establish a strong root system.

• It is important to Keep the lawn as long as possible, particularly during hot and dry periods. (why) because  Longer grass shades the soil, reduces moisture loss through evaporation and encourages deeper root growth.

• Set the mower blades as high as possible. (why)

•  Avoid mowing when the grass or soil is extremely dry or stressed. (why)

A freshly cut lawn cut at a high level

Rather than raking up your grass clippings, leave fine grass clippings on the lawn where possible. They break down naturally and return nutrients and organic matter to the soil.

• Check regularly for areas where water runs off instead of soaking into the soil. Near driveways for example and attend to this making a drain or ridge. (why, what is the danger of water running off)

• Break the garden lawn area into quarters (why)

Conclusion

There will be a lot more jobs that you have to do as plants are now in their growing season so make sure to keep a journal to keep track of all your activities and plans.