September Gardening Jobs

September brings cooler, breezier days compared to August, making it the perfect time to start preparing your garden for autumn and winter. Weather can vary, so all tasks below should be carried out depending on the forecast—avoid treatments during extreme heat, frost, or damp conditions.

September is a busy month in the garden. Regular maintenance now sets your outdoor spaces up for a strong finish to the year and a healthy start to spring.

• Control weeds: The cooler, wetter weather encourages weed growth. Consider total weed control solutions such as Roundup ProActive or Roundup ProVantage, which are safe for public spaces. Spot-treat deep-rooted perennial weeds to target nutrients in their roots before winter.
• Prevent tree regrowth: Products like Ecoplug Max 100 Plugs are ideal for tree stumps, easily applied with a drill and hammer, minimizing mess and environmental impact.
• Watering: Even when it isn’t hot, continue watering plants, turf, and grass as needed, particularly during dry spells.
• Clear autumn debris: Leaves and twigs start to fall. Regularly sweep or rake to prevent lawns from being shaded and reduce disease risk.
• Prepare flower beds and borders:
• Deadhead faded flowers to prolong blooms.
• Apply mulch or compost to retain moisture and tidy beds.
• Remove or protect non-hardy plants from frost, including tender perennials (geraniums), herbaceous perennials (peonies), and annuals (marigolds). Use horticultural fleece, move them indoors, or lift and store them if a freeze is forecast.

Even if your garden sees less activity as nights draw in, lawns still need attention. September is ideal for repairing, strengthening, and preparing them for winter.

Moss and Thatch Control

• Scarify and remove moss: Remove thatch, moss, and debris so the lawn can breathe. Use a spring-tine rake for small areas or a scarifier for larger lawns.
  
  Products to consider:
• A1 Lawn Double Strength Feed, Weed & Moss Killer for moss-heavy lawns
• Maxicrop No.2 Moss Killer & Lawn Conditioner or MossOff Chemical-Free Moss Control
• Mo Bacter Instant Moss Killer & Lawn Feed

Overseeding and Sowing

September’s warm soil and frequent rainfall make it perfect for overseeding worn patches. This thickens the sward and improves resistance to weeds and moss.

Recommended seeds:

• A1 Lawn Premiership Pro Grass Seed – lush, premium finish
• A1 Lawn Shade & Drought Grass Seed – ideal for shaded or dry areas
• A1 Lawn Luxury Hard Wearing Grass Seed – for high-traffic lawns

If sowing a completely new lawn, consider A1 Lawn New Grass Pre-Seed & Pre-Turf Fertiliser.

Fertilising

Autumn feeds strengthen roots, improve disease resistance, and prepare lawns for colder months. Options include:

• A1 Lawn Ultimate Autumn Winter Lawn Fertiliser
• Amvista G9 Autumn/Winter Fertiliser – lower in nitrogen, higher in potassium for frost resistance
• Liquid options like A1Lawn Ultimate Lawn Seaweed Extract provide a natural boost

Disease Control

• Check lawns for signs of disease and treat with appropriate lawn & turf fungicides.

Cooler, damper conditions can make paths, driveways, and patios slippery and hazardous. Prevent algae, mould, and other biofilms by cleaning regularly.

• Recommended product: AlgoClear Pro, or Mac Hi-Power, both high-strength, bleach-free solutions ideal for driveways, sports surfaces, roofs, and more.

September is a good time for autumn pruning to shape growth and remove disease sources.

• Inspect for dead, damaged, or diseased growth.
• Prune roses, fruit bushes, flowering and hardy shrubs, deciduous and ornamental trees, and perennial flowering plants (except those kept for wildlife seeds).
• Disinfect tools regularly to prevent spreading disease.

• Deadhead faded flowers to maintain displays.
• Apply mulch or compost to retain moisture and improve soil health.
• Remove or protect non-hardy plants from frost (see list above).
• Sow hardy annuals for next year’s blooms.

By tackling weeds, clearing debris, scarifying, overseeding, fertilising, and pruning now, you ensure your garden:

• Has stronger lawns for winter and spring
• Remains tidy and disease-free
• Prepares perennials and shrubs for frost protection
• Maintains healthy flower beds and borders

As we move into October, focus shifts to frost protection, planting trees and shrubs, continued lawn care, and autumn clean-up.