Gardening jobs for September

• September is the month to plant most spring flowering bulbs although tulips benefit from later planting its best to make your selection now while the choice is wide. As the summer bedding plants come to an end, the ground should be prepared for spring flowering plants such as wallflowers, forget-me-nots and pansies, the effect can be even more stunning if bulbs are planted amongst them. Be adventurous and design a colour coordinated display to turn the neighbour’s heads.
  We have a vast selection of varieties of bulbs whether for bedding out or for container work, for just £3.95 for the small size or £6.95 for the large size, you can fill a bag to the brim with many different varieties of Daffodils.
  
  
• September is also a good time to plant container grown trees and shrubs. The soil will be warm and after the rain we have experienced this summer will also be moist. Plants planted now will have a head start and will be sufficiently established next spring to withstand a water shortage should we have a dry spring.
  
  
• Perennials that have finished flowering often look untidy at this time of the year and should be cut down so as not to spoil the displays of brilliant colour provided by the dahlias , chrysanthemums and asters. At the same time as cutting down, any old clumps that have outgrown their strength will benefit from being divided and replanted with fresh compost to give them added vigour next year. A good watering is essential to help them get established before the winter.
  
  
• This is the best time of year to sow grass seed or lay turf for a new lawn, It is important to prepare the ground thoroughly all traces of weed should be removed and the ground dug and raked to break down the lumps, never work a soil that is too wet, a good indication is, that if the soil sticks to your boots it’s too wet.. Whether you choose to sow seed or lay turf we can help with advice and the necessary essentials to create a first class lawn.
  
  
• Continue feeding dahlia plants until the middle of the month with sulphate of potash and superphospate in equal parts to promote the formation of good firm tubers. Apply at the rate of one handful per three plant, sprinkle around the base of the plant being careful to avoid.
  
  
• Main crop potatoes can be harvested this month. After drying out, store in paper sacks which are available in our garden shop priced at 49p each. Potatoes must be kept dark or they will turn green making them inedible, store in a cool frost free situation. It is important to remove any tubers left in the soil to prevent disease being carried over to next year. Also in the vegetable garden its time to prepare the soil ready for Japanese onion sets which will be available later this month. The soil should be worked to create a fine tilth adding a general organic fertilizer.