Tips for September 2026

Plant daffodils, fritillaries and hyacinths in borders, containers and lawns for early spring colour. Bury them at 2 or 3 times their depth with pointed end facing upwards.

Cover cabbages, brussel sprouts, kale and cauliflower with netting to stop birds such as pigeons shredding the leaves. Always keep netting taut to make it less dangerous for birdlife.

Leave seed heads in place on plants such as sunflowers, echinaceas and teasels as they will offer birds a wonderful supply of energy rich seed right now.

Plant up large pots with Heucheras, small evergreen shrubs, Cycleman, ferns and grasses for a long lasting winter display.

Early this month give beech, hornbeam and conifer (including yew) hedges their final trim of the year.

Finish harvesting raspberries, but leave the fruited canes in place for pruning next February.

Leave the heads on Mophead or Lacecap Hydrangeas, as old blooms offer winter frost protection to new tender buds below them. Instead prune early to mid spring.

Lift main crop potatoes once the leaves yellow. Cut off top growth, wait 10 days, then dig up and dry in the sun.

Clean and fill bird feeders. Scrub them regularly with hot water, rinsing thoroughly afterwards. Keeping bird feeders clean stops the spread of disease.

It is your last chance to take semi ripe cuttings of Verbena, Penstemon and Salvias to increase stocks and beat winter losses.