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It’s hard to believe that it is September already and coming towards the end of the summer. It is still possible to get some hot sunny days this time of year although the evenings start to get noticeably cooler. So it is very important to make the most of outdoor living this month before preparing for the Autumn. Hopefully you have managed to patch repair any lawn damage from last year and everything is looking a lot better. Now is the time to aerate the lawn after all the summer foot traffic that compacts the surface. This can be done with a garden fork and lift the soil slightly to break it up a few inches beneath the surface which also helps with drainage. Lift the blades on your mower as the growth slows down and apply an Autumn weed and feed. This will be low in Nitrogen (N) to avoid generating new growth but high in Phosphate (P) to stimulate root growth and also Potassium (K) for the general health of the grass. September is also a good time for laying new turf.
Keep deadheading and tidying borders and containers, although I must admit that the weeds have got the better of me this year. My borders are very scruffy and desperately need a good clear up. Divide perennials when they stop flowering. Start planting out spring bulbs like daffodils, crocus, iris and hyacinth. Prune summer flowering shrubs and climbing roses as they finish.
Take the crops in the vegetable patch as they come available and any surplus can normally be frozen, pickled or stored. There is nothing better than a large jar of shallots pickled with black peppercorns and chilli flakes put aside for Christmas ready for the boiled ham. Keep watering and picking beans so that they don’t get too large and stringy which will bring an end to the flowering. I took a large pick of rhubarb in mid August which has been cut up and frozen for rhubarb crumble and jelly through the winter. There was no further sign of growth so I have allowed the remaining stems to die back.
The Victoria plums have produced a good crop this year and been cut in half, de-stoned and frozen for more crumble and no sign of moth which deposits a pinky white grub in the middle of the fruit. The apples are coming on well and the pears are cropping nicely although a little small this year. I have inherited a variety of pear called Beurre Hardy from the old vicarage garden which is a dessert pear with a decent flavour and very juicy. However, like a lot of pears, they need to be picked before ripening and left on a window sill for a while before being ready to eat or frozen for even more crumble. If they are left on the tree either the wasps or the birds ruin them. It’s also blackberry time which is good for jams and jellies, although not sure if you can do a blackberry crumble, but then I don’t think I could face one!
I find September a slightly sad month as the evenings draw in and a blanket is needed on the bed. It’s because you know what’s coming and all the predictions of a hard winter start flying around. However, it also brings a well earned rest after the big tidy up in October before the clocks go back and the fires are lit. The log store has been re-filled thanks to Jim Lindsay but a few more weeks yet before it’s time to batten down the hatches. I am feeling a little melancholy... I know how to cheer myself up.
We are always looking for new members and try to encourage a fun attitude towards friendly competition. So if you want to grow your own fruit, vegetables and flowers or even enter any of the 3 shows we hold each year, then please get in touch, we would be happy to hear from you.
If you are interested in becoming a new member, (all ages are welcome), please contact Rosey on: 01634 377812 (evenings) or Email: rosemary@ringwoodaccounting.co.uk
Sean Barry - Upchurch Horticultural Society
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