September Gardening Checklist - 25 Organic Gardening Tips to Get You Through September

The arrival of September means autumn gardening is in full swing. Not sure what to do in your garden at this time? Tricia has some expert tips for you!

September Garden Tips: Prepare, Plant, and Preserve

September is a wonderful month for fall gardening. With cooler days and a bounty of seasonal produce, it's the perfect time to prepare your garden for the upcoming seasons. Here are some essential gardening tips to make the most of September in your vegetable garden.

Plant Fall Cover Crops

Planting fall cover crops like clover or rye helps improve soil health and prevents erosion. These crops add valuable nutrients and protect your garden over the winter months. Be sure to allow enough time for the cover crop to establish before the first frost sets in. For more tips, check out our cover crop videos.

Harvest and Store

Harvest winter squash before the rain arrives and store them in a cool, dark location. Continue harvesting vegetables like basil, corn, and cucumbers, and protect your crops from frost with floating row covers. Pumpkins can be prepped for the holidays by removing leaves that block sunlight and placing the fruit on boards to avoid damp soil.

Plan for Spring

September is a great time to plant spring-flowering bulbs such as daffodils, tulips, and crocuses. Save space in your garden for garlic, which can be planted after the first frost in cold climates or in October in mild regions. Fall is also ideal for planting onion sets in areas with mild winters.

Preserve Your Harvest

Surplus produce can be preserved by canning, fermenting, drying, or freezing. Shred oversized zucchinis, squeeze out excess liquid, and freeze for later use. Harvest fresh basil before cold weather arrives and turn it into homemade pesto or dry it for year-round use.

Maintain and Monitor

  • Blackberries and raspberries: Prune tall primocanes to encourage lateral branches for next year’s fruit. Remove dead or spent canes to maintain healthy berry plants.
  • Pest management: Check for powdery mildew on cucurbits and treat with an appropriate organic fungicide. Inspect for spider mites and use a natural miticide if necessary.
  • Greenhouse prep: Ready your greenhouse for winter and order Agribon frost protection materials to safeguard delicate plants.

Share and Celebrate

Donate extra produce to your local food bank to support your community. Most importantly, celebrate the fall harvest with family and friends and enjoy the fruits of your labor.

Back to blog
Carbon-neutral shipping with Shopify Planet
Carbon-neutral shipping on all orders
96917kg
shipping emissions removed
That's like...
248106
miles driven by an average gasoline-powered car
We fund innovations in...
Soil
Forest