What to Grow in September: Creating the Perfect Autumn Garden

September is a beautiful month in the gardening calendar. The heat of summer begins to soften, mornings and evenings grow cooler, and the changing light signals the start of autumn. For gardeners, this shift in seasons brings plenty of opportunities. From sowing hardy vegetables and colourful flowers to preparing the garden for the colder months ahead. With thoughtful planning and the right tools, such as Hortiwool Garden Pads, you can make the most of this season.

Vegetables to Sow or Transplant in September

1. Salad Leaves
September is an ideal month to sow quick-growing salad crops like rocket, lamb’s lettuce, mustard leaves, and winter lettuce varieties. These hardy greens will thrive in cooler conditions. They can be grown outdoors under cloches or indoors on a sunny windowsill. When sowing in containers, place Hortiwool at the base of pots to improve drainage and retain moisture, helping seedlings establish strong roots. 

2. Spinach and Chard
These leafy greens flourish in autumn and will give you fresh, nutritious harvests well into winter. Spinach in particular appreciates the cooler weather, while chard will provide colourful stems that brighten up the garden. When transplanting seedlings, you can use wool from Hortiwool Garden Pads as a mulch around the plants to help lock in moisture and suppress weeds.

3. Spring Cabbage
Now is the time to plant spring cabbage seedlings, giving them plenty of time to establish before winter. Protect young plants from slugs by placing Hortiwool Garden Pads around the base. The wool acts as a natural barrier while also slowly releasing nutrients back into the soil.

4. Broad Beans (for Overwintering)
Early September is a great time to sow broad beans in milder regions. These hardy legumes can overwinter and provide an early crop next spring. Consider sowing them in well-prepared soil enriched with organic matter. Use Hortiwool as a soil cover to maintain warmth and reduce the risk of frost damage.

Fruit to Plant in September

1. Strawberry Runners
September is the perfect month to plant out strawberry runners. They’ll establish roots over autumn and reward you with sweet fruit next summer. Place a Hortiwool Garden Pad beneath each plant to keep roots insulated, suppress weeds, and maintain soil health.

2. Fruit Trees and Bushes
Though many fruit trees are best planted in late autumn, early September is a good time to prepare the ground. Clear weeds, dig in compost, and consider using  wool as a soil conditioner when planting. The wool breaks down naturally, enriching the earth with nitrogen.

Flowers to Sow in September

1. Hardy Annuals
For a splash of colour next spring, sow hardy annuals like cornflowers, calendula, and larkspur in September. These flowers benefit from autumn sowing, as they’ll establish before winter and bloom earlier next year. Using wool in the garden as a mulch layer helps protect young seedlings from cold snaps.

2. Biennials
Wallflowers, foxgloves, and sweet williams can be transplanted this month to ensure strong displays the following year. Water them in well and use Hortiwool Garden Pads to keep moisture consistent as they settle into their new spots.

Other Gardening Jobs in September

1. Harvesting the Last of Summer Crops
Tomatoes, courgettes, beans, and peppers may still be producing in September. Keep picking regularly to encourage continued fruiting. Any surplus can be preserved or stored.

2. Lawn Care
September is one of the best months to repair or reseed lawns. As the soil is still warm but moisture levels are increasing. Aerate compacted soil and scatter seed where needed.

3. Composting and Soil Preparation
Clear away spent summer crops and add them to the compost heap. You can also tear up used Hortiwool Garden Pads and add them to the compost. They’re fully compostable and will enrich the mix.

4. Planting Spring Bulbs
Daffodils, crocuses, and hyacinths can all be planted in September for a cheerful spring display. Line containers with Hortiwool Garden Pads before filling with compost. The wool aids drainage while keeping bulbs snug through winter.

5. General Maintenance
Prune climbing roses, deadhead spent flowers, and clear fallen leaves to keep your garden healthy. September is also the time to clean greenhouses and polytunnels before colder weather sets in.

Creating the Perfect Autumn Garden

Gardening in September is all about balancing two things: savouring the last of summer while preparing for the seasons ahead. Whether you’re sowing hardy greens, planting strawberries, or tucking bulbs into the soil, there’s a sense of forward planning in every task.

By using wool in the garden, you can make these jobs easier and more sustainable. Hortiwool Garden Pads provide natural insulation, moisture retention, and slow-release nutrients – while being kind to the planet. Whether under pots, around plants, or in the compost, wool supports your garden at every stage.

As autumn deepens, you’ll be rewarded with a garden that’s not only productive but also resilient – ready to flourish through winter and burst into life again next spring.