Gardening Calendar

SEPTEMBER

Star plants

Viburnum opulus
‘Compactum’

Solidago
‘Goldenmosa’

Agapanthus
‘Blue Giant’

By this month we will be gathering in the harvest and autumn colours begin to appear – a hint of the glorious shades to come. There is a distinct chill in the morning air, and northern parts may have their first frosts.

September can often be a wonderful month in the garden. The sultry heat of dry summer has gone and the air feels fresher. If there is high pressure over the country we may enjoy an Indian summer lasting into October, but those clear sunny days can also mean colder nights.

September is a good time to:

• Remove thatch from the lawn – learn more here!
• Take hardwood cuttings from roses
• Plant spring flowering bulbs
• Plant out spring cabbages
• Sow winter lettuce
• Reduce watering and ventilation in the greenhouse

September Weather Watch

How to remove thatch from the lawn

Over a period of time, a layer of dead grass and other debris accumulates in any lawn; this is called thatch. If it is left in the lawn over the years it restricts air movement around the grass and can cause problems with surface drainage, encouraging moss and other weeds to colonize the lawn.

From late August through the autumn, begin to remove the thatch. It can be done in several ways, the most backbreaking method to drag it out with a spring-tined rake. Use this tool to rake out the dead grass and moss. It can be very hard work, and it is easier to use a powered scarifier if you have a large lawn. These can be hired, and will remove all the thatch with little effort. Be warned, the lawn will look an absolute mess when scarifying has been done, but it will do it the world of good and will soon recover.