Summer is winding down and kids are back to school, but your garden still has lots to offer in September. Not only is fall the best time to add many kinds of shrubs and trees to your landscaping, lots of flowers, vegetables and herbs thrive in the cooler weather September offers.
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Whether you want fresh vegetables all winter or beautiful blossoms come springtime, planting in September can transform your yard.
In this article: Grenebo Heavy-Duty Gardening Tools with Handbag, VIVOSUN Outdoor Tumbling Composter and WZQH Leather Work Gloves
It may be almost fall, according to the calendar, but many parts of the country are still experiencing the kind of warm weather that makes gardening enjoyable and productive. Along with vegetables and annual flowers, September is also a good time to add ornamental perennials to your landscape, such as Helleborus, flowering quince, camellia or forsythia.
Flowers such as zinnias and mums can by planted to enjoy colorful flowers until first frost, while pansies, with their longer flowering season, can bloom throughout winter with minimal care. Planting flowering perennials such as peonies and asters in September allows them time to get established before rewarding you with abundant blossoms for many years to come. Depending on the flower and where you live, you may need to layer mulch over the plant to prevent weeds and protect it from harsh conditions.
September is a key harvesting month, but starting certain crops in September will reward you with winter and early spring harvests. Brussels sprouts in particular love cooler weather. For less hardy vegetables, a cold-frame greenhouse can help seedlings grow strong enough to survive the winter before being planted in the ground.
Many growing zones can safely plant spinach, kale and other salad greens to add to meals throughout the winter. For longer-term harvests, plant radishes and scallions to enjoy in springtime and longer-growing vegetables such as garlic and spinach to enjoy next summer.
The best herbs to plant in September include cilantro, which has a tendency to bolt in warmer weather, and rosemary, which is hardier and can keep growing through mild winter conditions. Chives, thyme, lemon balm and sage are perennial in many growing regions and do well when planted in containers in September.
If you love spring daffodils, now is the time to plant them. Tulips, crocuses, hyacinth and daffodils should all be planted in the fall so they have enough time to develop their root structure before winter frosts.
A good rule of thumb for planting bulbs deep enough is to dig a hole two to three times deeper than the bulb's height. Make sure to plant them roots-down in an area where they'll get lots of sun. If you're worried about squirrels or other pests snacking on your bulbs, you can spread out some mulch or lay a piece of chicken wire over the planting area.
Grenebo Heavy-Duty Gardening Tools with Handbag
Made from sturdy material and featuring elastic loops, this tote makes it easy to carry your gardening tools around the yard thanks to its comfortable handles. It comes with eight stainless steel hand tools.
This simple trowel features an ergonomic handle to help you work comfortably. It's made of durable cast aluminum, so it should last for many gardening seasons to come.
WORKPRO Extra-Thick Kneeling Pad
Protect your knees while spending long periods digging, weeding and planting in your garden. This extra-thick kneeling pad is waterproof and dirt-resistant. It has 70% shock absorbancy, so it should make you feel comfortable while kneeling for long periods.
VIVOSUN Outdoor Tumbling Composter
If you'd like to add composting to your gardening process, this tumbling composter is a great choice. Its rotating design means you don't have to dig or mix the compost pile by hand and its twin chambers mean you can let one side finish composting waste while another produces fresh compost.
This specialized tool makes it easier than ever to fill your yard with bulbs. Simply stick it into your topsoil to the right depth using the engraved depth markers, lift out and squeeze the handle to release dirt.
Bully Tools 16-Inch Level-Head Rake
Made with a lightweight yet strong fiberglass handle, this rake is a great tool for clearing and smoothing out landscaping beds. The 16-inch rake head is made from durable seven-gauge steel.
These cowhide work gloves are helpful for planting, weeding and other outdoor chores. They're available in six sizes, multiple colors and feature an easy on-and-off elasticated wrist.
COOLJOB 2 Pairs Gardening Gloves
This set of machine-washable gloves can be used for gardening chores and other outdoor tasks. They are made of latex and have an elastic wrist to prevent dirt from getting inside.
EAGLE PEAK 8x6 Easy Setup Pop-Up Greenhouse
This pop-up walk-in greenhouse has two large roll-up doors and two roll-up windows for ventilation and easy access. It measures 8 by 6 feet, but is available in several sizes. It's great for protecting plants against frost, seed starting and making your growing season a little longer.
Worth Extra-Wide Mini Greenhouse
This greenhouse is handy for gardeners who need to maximize small spaces. It measures 40 inches wide and 75 inches tall and offers five shelves protected by a roll-up PVC cover.
Spearhead Spade Gardening Shovel
The innovative spear-shaped head on this shovel easily cuts through all types of soil. The blade is made from high-carbon manganese steel and the fiberglass handle is available in two lengths.
If you're planting flowering shrubs or large nursery plants, this reliable cart helps move heavy loads around the yard. A large handle and all-terrain tires make it easy to maneuver.
This compact, upright mulcher can help gardeners break down up to 53 gallons of leaves in a minute, creating protective mulch for their yard. It's easy to set up and dispenses mulch into a bag attached underneath.
Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.
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