September in the Garden: The Best Month (Yes, Really)

Let’s be honest: summer gardens are like house guests that stayed too long. In June and July, everything’s bursting with energy, flowers are showing off, veggies are thriving, and you feel like an accomplished gardener. By August? It’s crispy, it’s weedy, and you’re over watering cans and sunburns. Which brings us to September—the best gardening month of them all.

Yes, I said it. September is the best. Want proof? It’s cooler, so you won’t melt into a puddle while you prune. There’s still plenty to harvest (hello, tomatoes and apples). You can plant almost anything (trees, shrubs, perennials—take your pick), and your lawn actually wants to be seeded and fertilized now. On top of that, bugs are less in-your-face, and you can finally work outside without resembling a mosquito buffet. What’s not to love?

So, if you’re in Georgina, here’s your September to-do list with all the juicy details you didn’t know you needed. Grab a coffee, a pair of gloves, and maybe a pumpkin spice something if you’re into that.

 

Lawn Care: It’s Not Dead, Just Sleeping

Remember that sad, brown, crispy patch of lawn you’ve been ignoring all August? Good news: September is lawn redemption month. Cool-season grasses (like Kentucky bluegrass, fescues, and ryegrass—your typical Ontario staples) thrive in cooler temps. That means:

• Overseed. If you want a thicker, healthier lawn, spread some seed now. Rake first to loosen the soil, toss down a quality grass seed, and water like you actually care. (No, a single sprinkle isn’t enough—keep it consistently moist until it germinates.)
• Fertilize. September is prime time for feeding your lawn. Use an organic or slow-release fertilizer to encourage strong root growth. Roots are greedy right now, stocking up for winter. Think of it as sending them into hibernation with a full pantry.
• Mow Smart. Don’t scalp your lawn. Keep it around 2.5–3 inches tall. Grass that’s too short invites weeds, pests, and the dreaded “bare patch of shame.”

Perennials: Chop, Divide, or Leave Them Be

Perennials are like teenagers—you’re never quite sure if they need a haircut, a pep talk, or just to be left alone. September is your chance to set them straight.

• Pruning. Cut back spent flowers and tidy up straggly stems. But don’t go Edward Scissorhands on everything. Some plants (like ornamental grasses and coneflowers) actually look great left standing all winter and provide food and shelter for wildlife.
• Dividing. Got hostas the size of small cars? Daylilies that are more “day-jungle”? Divide them now. Dig them up, slice them like a pie, and replant. Sharing extras with friends or neighbours earns you instant gardening karma.
• Digging up Tender Plants. If you’ve got dahlias, cannas, or gladiolus, start thinking about when you’ll dig them up to store for winter. September is the warning bell—don’t ignore it.

 

Shrubs and Evergreens: Yes, They Need Haircuts Too

Pruning shrubs and evergreens in September is a delicate dance. Here’s the rule: light pruning only.

• Evergreens (cedar, yew, juniper): Give them a trim to tidy up, but don’t go crazy. Heavy pruning now could encourage fresh growth that won’t survive winter.
• Flowering shrubs: If they bloom on old wood (like lilacs), leave them alone—prune in spring instead. If they bloom on new wood (like paniculata hydrangeas), you can lightly shape them now.
• Rule of thumb: When in doubt, prune less. You can always cut more later, but you can’t glue a branch back on.

Feed the Birds (Again)

If you stopped filling your bird feeders in summer (because honestly, the birds had plenty of bugs and berries to eat), September is the time to roll out the buffet again.

• Stock feeders with black oil sunflower seeds, suet, or nyjer depending on what you want to attract.
• Keep water out too. Migrating birds need hydration breaks just like you need coffee breaks. 

Bonus: bird-watching makes you look like you’re “gardening” when really you’re sitting in a chair sipping tea.

 

Water Features: Not Just for Pretty Instagram Photos

If you don’t already have a birdbath, bee bath, or shallow dish of water out, September is a great time to set one up. Migrating butterflies, bees, and birds are all thirsty travelers. Keep the water shallow, add a few stones for perches, and refresh it regularly so it doesn’t become a mosquito daycare.

Plant All the Things: Trees, Shrubs, and Perennials

September is the sweet spot for planting. Why? Because soil is still warm, but air temps are cooler, so plants focus on root growth instead of wasting energy on flowers. Strong roots now = happy plants next year.

• Trees. Maples, oaks, birches—plant them now, and they’ll settle in before the ground freezes.
• Shrubs. Burning bush, ninebark, hydrangeas—you name it. Shrubs planted in fall don’t get stressed the way they do in July heat.
• Perennials. Plant now, and they’ll come back stronger in spring. Plus, garden centers often have sales in September (you’re welcome).

Pro tip: Don’t forget to water your new plants until the ground freezes. Just because it’s cooler doesn’t mean Mother Nature will do the job for you.

 

Veggie & Fruit Harvest: The Kitchen is Calling

September is basically harvest-palooza. Tomatoes, peppers, squash, apples, pears—they’re all ready. Eat what you can, preserve what you can’t.

• Canning, freezing, drying. Tomatoes become sauce, apples become pie filling, herbs become dried seasoning. Your January self will thank your September self.
• Succession planting. Still craving fresh greens? You can sneak in a late crop of spinach, lettuce, or radishes that will handle the cool temps.

Spring Bulbs: Think Ahead, Garden Genius

Want tulips, daffodils, and crocuses in the spring? Guess what—you’ve got to plant them now. September is bulb-shopping season, even if you don’t plant until October. Stock up early for the best selection. Then pat yourself on the back for being a forward-thinking, organized gardener (or at least faking it).

 

Compost: Black Gold, Baby

If you’ve been ignoring your compost pile all summer (don’t worry, we all do), September is a good time to put it to work. Spread finished compost around garden beds, trees, and shrubs. It improves soil structure, feeds plants naturally, and makes you feel virtuous.

Also: keep feeding that pile with fall leaves, veggie scraps, and spent plants (unless they’re diseased—those go in the garbage).

 

Disease Patrol: Don’t Be Gross

Speaking of disease—don’t just rake up those powdery mildew-ridden phlox leaves and toss them on your compost pile. Diseased debris spreads problems into next year. Bag it or bin it. Your future plants will thank you.

Odds and Ends

• Clean and sharpen your tools. Yes, even the rusty pruners at the bottom of the shed.
• Bring in tender houseplants. If you summered your tropicals outside, start acclimating them back indoors before frost hits.
• Mulch. Add a fresh layer around perennials and shrubs to lock in moisture and regulate soil temps. 

 

Final Word: September Wins

Is September the best gardening month? Absolutely. You get cooler weather, better working conditions, fewer bugs, harvest rewards, and the chance to plant for the future. Plus, it’s the month where you can look busy by “winterizing” your garden while secretly just playing in the dirt. 

So there you have it, grab your rake, your shovel, and maybe that pumpkin spice latte after all—you’ve got work to do. And honestly, it’s the good kind of work.

Happy gardening!