September gardening jobs checklist
- If you haven’t already, give your lawn some love.
- Mulch all garden beds ready for the Spring/Summer heat.
- Repot any pot bound plants. Trim the roots then repot in new potting mix.
- Divide and repot pot bound orchids.
- Give your indoor plants a bit of TLC. Dust off the leaves and give them a feed with slow release fertiliser designed for indoor plants.
- Fertilise, water and mulch established gardens.
- Prune Bottlebrush stems just below the spent flower heads.
- Repot tired herbs to give them new life. Cut off any damaged roots and give the tops a haircut. Use a larger container if necessary and fill with premium potting mix and slow release fertiliser.
- Prune Winter flowering plants such as Azaleas, Lavender, Banksia, Daphne and Camellias once they’ve finished flowering.
- Fertilise your Gardenias to encourage maximum blooms.
- Adjust your watering schedule to accommodate the warmer weather.
- Give your gardening tools a good going over to bring them back to their best. Replace any that are well past their hey day.
- Plant your new flowering annuals and vegetables (see list below). Remember to rotate your crops by planting unrelated vegetables. Plant chilli plants and Marigolds among your crop. These can deter some pests.
- Plant tomatoes in frost free areas. Be sure not to plant in the same spot where tomatoes have been grown previously in the last 3-4 years.
- Keep picking Sweet Peas to prolong flowering. Pop the picked blooms in a vase and enjoy the fragrance indoors.
- Keep an eye out for pests and diseases.
- Keep harvesting citrus fruit and continue to dispose of any fallen, rotting fruit.
- Give the bird bath and garden furniture a good scrub.
- Thinking of planting tropical fruit such as avocado or mango? Do it now if you live anywhere other than the tropics.
- Early Spring is a great time to plant tube stock, new shrubs and new trees. Roots have time to establish before the hot weather arrives.
- Keep on top of those pesky weeds.
September flower planting guide – Seeds & seedlings
Add some colour to the garden during September. Plant or sow seeds based on your climate. Be sure to also check out your local nursery for any other suitable seedlings.
Tropical & sub-tropical climates
Alyssum, Amaranthus, Begonia, Carnation, Celosia, Cosmos, Dahlia, Dianthus, Gerbera, Impatiens, Marigold, Nasturtium, Petunia, Phlox, Polyanthus, Portulaca, Salvia, Snapdragon, Sunflower, Verbena, Zinnia
Warm temperate climates
Alyssum, Amaranthus, Begonia, Carnation, Dahlia, Dianthus, Gerbera, Impatiens, Marigold, Nasturtium, Petunia, Phlox, Portulaca, Salvia, Snapdragon, Sunflower, Verbena, Zinnia
Cool temperate climates
Alyssum, Cineraria, Delphinium, Snapdragon, Sweet Pea
September fruit & vegetable planting guide – Seeds & seedlings
Tropical & sub-tropical climates
Asian greens, Basil, Beetroot, Capsicum, Chilli, Carrot, Celery (sub-tropical only), Chives (sub-tropical only), Choko, Coriander (sub-tropical only), Eggplant, Ginger, Lettuce (sub-tropical only), Okra, Potato, Pumpkin, Radish, Rocket (sub-tropical only), Silverbeet (sub-tropical only), Spring onion, Squash, Sweetcorn, Sweet Potato, Tomato, Turnip, Zucchini
Warm temperate climates
Artichoke, Asian greens, Asparagus, Basil, Beans, Beetroot, Broccoli, Cabbage, Capsicum, Chilli, Carrot, Celery, Chives, Coriander, Eggplant, Kale, Lettuce, Okra, Onion, Peas, Potato, Pumpkin, Radish, Rocket, Silverbeet, Spring onion, Squash, Sweetcorn, Tomato, Turnip, Zucchini
Cool temperate climates
Artichoke, Asian greens, Asparagus, Beetroot, Broccoli, Cabbage, Capsicum, Chilli, Carrot, Celery, Coriander, Eggplant, Kale, Lettuce, Onion, Peas, Potato, Radish, Rocket, Silverbeet, Snow Peas, Spring Onion, Squash, Sweetcorn, Tomato, Turnip, Zucchini
September flowering plants
- Azalea
- Banksia
- Boronia
- Callistemon (Bottlebrush)
- Cistus (Rock Rose)
- Clivia
- Convolvulus
- Daphne
- Escallonia
- Freesia
- Grevillea
- Hardenbergia (Happy Wanderer)
- Hebe
- Jasmine
- Kangaroo Paw
- Lavender
- Loropetalum (Fringe Flower)
- Pandorea
- Polygala
- Raphiolepis (Indian Hawthorn)
- Rhododendron
- Rose
- Justicia (Shrimp Plant)
- Viburnum
- Wisteria
- Brunfelsia (Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow)
Spotlight on…
Trachelospermum jasminoides – Star Jasmine
Star Jasmine is the epitome of Spring. Flowering throughout the warmer months, this evergreen trialing vine has the most wonderfully scented blooms.
Fast growing, Star Jasmine needs a position in full sun with a sturdy support such as a pergola. Keep an eye on it, Jasmine has been known to get away from people.
