Spring has arrived, the weather is warming up, the days are getting longer, and the gardens are coming to life with bursts of beautiful colour.
September is an exciting month to get outside and enjoy your garden. There’s lots to do in the garden from fertlising, planting, and lawn care this month. So, pull out the garden gloves and the trowel and join the team at Capalaba Produce as we explore all the things to do in your garden this month.
The Flower Garden
It’s the start of a new season and that means it’s time to fertilise. As your plants wake up, they will be looking for nutrients to prepare them for the abundance of growth ahead. Give them their best start by using organic slow-release fertiliser and a seaweed tonic, both of which you can get in-store today.
Continue deadheading your flowering winter/spring annuals to ensure they flourish into this season, ready for when your summer annuals begin to flower. Perfect annuals to plant for an instant flush of colour this season and into the next include,
- Alyssum
- Cosmos
- Lobelia
- Marigold
- Nemesia
- Petunia
- Phlox
- Poppy
- Snapdragon
- Sunflower
- Zinnia
Now is the time to plant your beautiful flowering Camellias and summer flowering bulbs, like Gladioli, Dahlia, and Begonia. Don’t forget to mulch your garden, it helps to retain moisture and suppress weeds which will be vital for the warmer months ahead. Spring is the best time to focus on potting up any hanging baskets, potted plants, and indoor plants. Use a high-quality potting mix, and fertilise and liquid feed when you do so, to maximise plant growth.
Lawn Maintenance
This is the month to sow your new lawns. If you’ve been following along with our monthly blog, then last month you would know was ideal for cleaning up and preparing your soil ahead of time, if you have done so, excellent, if not, know it’s not too late, the sooner it’s done, the better. Lawn preparation is essential if you want a healthy green lawn for the warmer months, so don’t skip it. Remove any weeds and debris, level the ground and aerate. When you sow your new lawn remember to keep the water levels up. New grass seed is thirsty vegetation and will benefit from frequent waterings.
Now is the perfect time to fertilise your existing lawn to encourage new growth. However, if you have sprayed your garden with weed control, it is best to wait two weeks before doing so.
The Edible Garden
If you’ve been thinking about starting your own self-sufficient edible garden, this is the time to do it. There’s nothing quite like the delicious crunch of homegrown vegetables to make any meal a crowd pleaser. With our huge range of new season herbs and veggies to choose from, you are sure to find your favourites. Why not try planting some, tomatoes, capsicum, cucumber, watermelon, pumpkins, silverbeet and spring onions? Or maybe see if your green thumb is up for something a little bit unique like passionfruit, banana, or guava.
Make sure you fertilise your veggie patch at planting to promote optimal fruiting and growth. Always keep an eye out for pests. Otherwise, slugs and snails will be having a delightful time eating your homegrown food before you get to it. They love new growth so place bait or traps close to your young seedlings to stop them in their tracks.
Want to learn more about growing tomatoes? Check out our blog on how to grow your own delicious tomatoes at home.
Happy Gardening!
