September is a bridge between summer abundance and autumn preparation — a great month for sowing crops that will stand through winter and mature next spring.

What to sow and plant in September

• Winter lettuce, spinach and turnips can all be sown now for harvesting in the cooler months ahead. They prefer the gentler temperatures of early autumn.
• Overwintering onion sets can be planted out now; they’ll establish before winter and be ready next summer.
• Spring cabbages should also be planted out this month so they can settle in before the cold weather arrives.
• Sow green manures such as field beans, grazing rye or clover. When dug in later, they help conserve nutrients, improve soil texture and suppress winter weeds — a great investment in next year’s soil health.

What to do in September

• Harvest apples and pears. A good sign they’re ready is when a few start to fall naturally. Taste and texture are also reliable guides — they should come away from the branch with a gentle twist.
• When asparagus foliage turns brown, cut it down to ground level and give the plants a generous mulch to protect the crowns over winter.
• Water during dry spells — it helps prevent:
  • splitting in root vegetables,
  • flower drop in runner beans,
  • blossom end rot in tomatoes.
• Even in September, plants can still suffer from sudden dry periods.
• Pumpkins and winter squash still need regular watering to keep them swelling nicely. A check in growth now will reduce their final size.
• Finish planting out rooted strawberry runners so they have time to establish before winter.