September Gardening in Connecticut: What to Plant and What to Do Now
September is a great month to get back into the garden. The hottest days of summer are starting to ease up, fall color is arriving, and there is still plenty of time to plant before colder weather settles in.
If your garden is looking a little tired after summer, now is a good time to refresh it, fill in empty spaces and tackle a few projects that will make a difference both this fall and next spring.
Keep Planting Trees, Shrubs and Perennials
Gardening season is far from over.
September is a great time to plant trees, shrubs and perennials in Connecticut. Cooler temperatures put less stress on new plants, while the soil is still warm enough for roots to continue establishing.
If you have been thinking about adding privacy, replacing an overgrown shrub, filling an empty garden bed or planting something you never got around to this spring, there is still time.
Just remember that newly planted trees, shrubs and perennials still need regular watering, even as the temperatures begin to cool.
Add Some Fall Color
Mums and asters are starting to take over the garden center, and they are an easy way to bring fresh color back to gardens, porches and containers.
Ornamental cabbage, kale and grasses are also great additions as we move further into fall.
You do not need to redo an entire container either. Sometimes replacing one or two tired summer plants with fresh fall color is enough to completely change the look.
Divide Established Perennials
September can also be a good time to divide many established perennials, especially plants that have become crowded or have outgrown their space.
Dividing plants can help improve their appearance and gives you an easy way to fill another area of the garden.
Not every perennial should be divided at the same time of year, so if you are not sure about a particular plant, ask us before digging it up.
Give Your Lawn Some Attention
Early September is an ideal time in Connecticut to seed bare spots and repair lawn areas that struggled through the summer.
The combination of cooler temperatures and warm soil creates good growing conditions for new grass.
This is also a good time to clear away dead material, loosen compacted soil in problem areas and give thin sections of the lawn a little extra attention.
Do Not Stop Watering
One of the easiest mistakes to make in September is assuming cooler weather means plants no longer need as much attention.
Anything planted recently still needs consistent watering while its roots become established.
Trees and shrubs especially need deep watering rather than a quick spray at the surface. Keep an eye on rainfall and continue watering as needed throughout the fall.
Enjoy the Start of Fall in the Garden
September is a transition month, but there is still a lot happening in the garden.
Whether you are planting something new, adding fall color, working on the lawn or finally tackling a garden project you put off all summer, there is plenty of gardening season left.
Stop by Designs by Lee in Stamford to see what is arriving for fall and let us know what you are working on. We are always happy to help you choose the right plants for your space.
