Gardening tips for the French garden in September – Guide 2 Midi

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Gardening tips for the French garden in September

General Jobs in the garden

• All bedding should be fed and dead headed this month to try and extend the season as long as possible.  Dead head hanging baskets and containers as well as Penstemon, Dahlias and Roses, which should then continue flowering until the frosts of November.
• Mulches can be added around the garden in September to help overwinter vulnerable plants, or simply to stop weeds and help the new roots grow.
• Now that the lawn has slowed down a little, it is a perfect time to feed and strengthen the grass for the winter months.
• September is a good month to work in the pond.  Cut back/remove any old foliage, clear blanket weed and if necessary remove some of the silt.

Jobs in the Vegetable/Fruit Garden

• Due to the rather odd weather this year, some crops in the veg garden have done badly, but for others bumper crops have been produced.  Continue weeding and cropping in the veg.  Help pumpkins and squashes by removing foliage that might be covering the fruits.
• It is possible to plant several types of broad beans to supply an early Spring harvest next year. 
• Consider covering any of the brassicas (cabbage, broccoli, Brussels etc) you  have grown as they start to develop.  They take a long time to grown and it would be a shame to lose them now to birds, so close to maturity.
• Any potted soft fruit plants can be planted now.  Prepare a deep trench for planting with plenty of compost , allowing the roots to develop through Autumn/Winter for bumper crops next year.

Planning Ahead

• Hardy annuals (Alyssum, Antirrhinum, Calendula, Campanula, Cosmos and Nicotiana for example) can be sown now for early colour next Spring.
• It is now time to consider planting bulbs for Spring colour.  If you are worried about mice eating the bulbs, puff a couple of sprays of liquid paraffin over the soil once the bulbs are planted.  Plant Hyacinths and Amaryllis now for forcing, to produce flowers for Christmas.
• Foxgloves, wallflowers and Violas (Pansies) will soon appear in the shops for planting out to give winter and Spring colour in the garden.
• Start to plan any tree and shrub planting that you might want to do this year.  Autumn (the best time for planting) is fast approaching and whilst the ground is moist, it is a good idea to turn the soil now, before any future planting.

 

This article was kindly provided by Gary McArthur of Kingdom Vegetal Garden Cantre, who will be happy to offer further advice.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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