As the Wairarapa shakes off the last of winter’s chill, September arrives with the
promise of new life. The days are getting longer, the sun is gaining warmth, and the garden is stirring. It’s a wonderful time to get your hands dirty and prepare for the abundance of spring and summer.
Your garden beds are hungry after the winter, so this is the perfect time to enrich your soil. Dig in compost, well-rotted manure, and a balanced, slow-release fertiliser to provide the essential nutrients for strong, healthy plant growth. Break up any compacted soil and ensure good drainage, which is crucial for preventing rot in our occasionally damp spring conditions.
September is also prime time for sowing seeds.
In a sheltered spot or a glasshouse, start your tomatoes, capsicums, and eggplants as they need a head start before the weather is reliably warm. You can directly sow hardy vegetables like peas, broad beans, lettuce, spinach, and radishes. Don’t forget your flower seeds! Sow marigolds, sunflowers and sweetpeas for a splash of colour later in the season.
Now is the perfect time to plant new roses and fruit trees. If you already have them, give your roses their main prune for the year, cutting back to a strong outward-facing bud. Prune your deciduous fruit trees, such as apples and pears, to shape them and encourage good air circulation. As the daffodils and other spring bulbs finish their display, leave the foliage to die back naturally. This is how they store energy for next year’s blooms.
As the garden wakes up, so do the weeds. Stay on top of them now before they get out of control. A good layer of mulch will suppress weeds and help retain soil moisture. Keep an eye out for slugs and snails, which can make a meal of your tender new seedlings. Use organic slug pellets or a beer trap to protect your young plants.
Finally, give your lawn a well-deserved feed with a slow-release lawn fertiliser. This will encourage strong root growth and a lush, green appearance. You might also consider aerating your lawn to improve drainage and air flow to the roots.
September is a time of anticipation and action.
By spending a little time in the garden now, you’ll set the stage for a season of vibrant flowers and delicious, homegrown produce. Happy gardening!
