Allotment Jobs You Should Focus on in September

Allotment Jobs You Should Focus on in September

As the warm hues of summer slowly give way to the golden tones of autumn, allotment gardeners find themselves at an exciting crossroad of the gardening season. September marks a pivotal time when the efforts put into nurturing our green spaces truly come to fruition. It's a month of reaping rewards, planting for the future, and embracing the changing seasons.

In this guide, we'll walk you through a curated list of essential allotment tasks specifically tailored for the month of September. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or a greenhorn with a passion for cultivation, this blog aims to equip you with valuable insights and practical tips to make the most of your allotment during this bountiful time of the year.

From preparing the soil for the next planting cycle to protecting your crops from the unpredictability of autumn weather, we've got you covered. You'll discover the joy of harvesting fresh produce, the satisfaction of putting your garden to rest for the winter, and the magic of witnessing nature's transformations.

Join us on this journey as we delve into the intricacies of autumn allotment care, explore the delightful crops that thrive in September, and learn how to tackle common challenges faced during this season. Embrace the beauty of autumnal gardening and savor the satisfaction of growing your own nutritious food.

So, grab your gardening gloves and let's dig in – quite literally – as we embark on this horticultural adventure together. Your September allotment awaits, and with a little effort and a lot of heart, it will undoubtedly flourish under your care. Let's make this season one to remember!

Our favourite harvest picks in September

September should still see you able to pick a wide variety of fruits and vegetables from the plot. The last of the summer veg might be coming to an end but your later crops should just be becoming ready.

Our favourite picks include;

Aubergines - make sure you pick them whilst the skins still have their glossy shine.

Sweetcorn - We love the abundance of super sweet corn that is ready for harvesting at this time of year - remember to pick when the liquid runs milky not clear.

Red cabbages - You might be getting your first crops of red cabbages depending on when you sowed them.

Larger Tomatoes - The Beefsteak varieties take a bit longer to ripen because of their size and they should produce fruit longer into the season than their smaller counterparts.

What should you sow and plant in September.

The options for sowing and planting in September are reducing heavily but you do have some options!

Your best best is to sow the last of the spinach, rocket and hardy oriental leaves for a last bath of edible leaves before winter. Radishes also grow quick enough for you to manage a last crop before Winter.

Now is the time to plant overwintering autumn onion sets, You may have sown some overwintering onion seeds last month in prepapration for staying in the ground all winter ahead of being ready to lift nex summer.

The importance of Compost

Building an on-site compost heap for your allotment is one of the most beneficial things you can do. Compost can work to improve the soil quality no end and can really help to replenish many of the lost nutrients that are often removed from soil during a growing season.

Compost can help suppress disease, improve the soil structure, keep pests at bay and play a part in retaining and controlling moisture.

We highly recommend that you build your own on-site compost heap or work with other people on your allotment to build a communal one.

Allotment tasks for September

September is the month of clearing and preparing as your harvest reduces. There are some tasks that you should try to complete as soon as possible to keep your allotment in the best health ahead of next year.

As you finish harvest picking across your plot clear away old foliage as soon as possible, do not leave it to rot. This will help avoid pests and diseases building up; even now weeds will still be growing so keep an eye on their growth.

Collect and save seeds, this is especially worthwhile on crops you have been particularly fond of or which may be hard to find commercially, You will need to carefully dry, label and store them for next season.

Now is the time to think about whether you will want to plant new fruit trees and bushes as the time to do this is November but you will need to order ahead of then to secure the best quality bare root trees.

Please get in touch with any questions;