🌿 10 Things to Do in your September Garden

1. Harvest Summer Vegetables at Their Peak

Pick tomatoes, beans, cucumbers, and peppers regularly to keep plants producing. Don’t let crops get overripe—they can signal the plant to stop making new fruit.

I am also harvesting my zucchini, potatoes and carrots.

2. Plant a Fall Garden

It’s not too late! Cool-weather crops like spinach, kale, lettuce, radishes, and turnips thrive in September. In warmer zones, you can even sneak in another round of carrots or beets.

My garden is in zone 3 so it gets pretty cold starting in September. I have been travelling south the last few winters as well so I have not been planting a fall crop. If you are in a zone 5 or above climate definitely do more planting.

3. Start Planting Garlic

Garlic loves a long growing season. Plant cloves now so they can establish roots before winter and be ready for harvest next summer.

4. Save Seeds from Summer Favorites

I have left my lettuce and arugula to go to seed, just so I can save and use the seed next year. This week I plan to pull up my peas and save whatever seed pods are on the vines.

Tomatoes, beans, and peppers are also perfect for seed saving. Dry and store seeds in a cool, dark place for planting next year.

5. Refresh the Soil with Compost

I have a bin of compost ready for just this. Adding compost to garden beds as crops finish feeds the soil, improves structure, and ensures nutrients are ready for next season planting.

6. Mulch to Protect Your Soil

A layer of mulch keeps soil temperatures stable, locks in moisture, and suppresses fall weeds. This year I am using shredded leaves. Straw or grass clippings are good mulch options as well.

7. Keep Up with Weeding

I am struggling to keep up with the dandelions and thistles in my garden. Weeds left to seed now will mean thousands more in spring. A quick pass with the hoe or hand-pull once a week makes a big difference.

8. Preserve the Harvest

Freeze, can, or dehydrate extra produce. Herbs like basil, oregano, and parsley can be air-dried or frozen in ice cube trays with olive oil. I put my potatoes in a root cellar. My carrots will stay in the garden bed for another few weeks, then to the root cellar they go as well.

9. Start a Fall Compost Pile

Garden clean-up means lots of organic matter. Pile up plant trimmings, leaves, and kitchen scraps to build rich compost for next season.

10. Plan Ahead for Next Year

As you harvest, take notes: What grew well? What struggled? Take the time to jot down what worked or didn't while it’s fresh in your mind—your future self will thank you in spring.

🌱 Final Thoughts

🌱 With just a little attention in September, you’ll not only enjoy more harvests this fall but also set yourself up for a stronger, healthier garden next spring.

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Catherine
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