Top News

Even though flowers start to die down in autumn, it can actually be one of the busiest times in the garden. From pruning flowers to cutting back woody stems and weeding the soil, September is the month of preparation.

Gardeners can also use this time to plant bulbs and prepare for another blossoming spring. However, fertile, healthy soil is the foundation of everything in the garden. So, experts recommend starting one task now to ensure your soil is nutrient-rich for flowers to blossom next year.

According to Country Living, now is a great time to start a compost heap, because September's cuttings make excellent compost material. Compost helps the soil retain moisture and nutrients, improving its structure for healthier plant growth.

Penny Hemming, head gardener at the Riverford Field Kitchen in Devon, said: "Come spring, you'll be able to spread three inches of homemade compost over your beds to get them off to a flying start."

Aim for equal parts brown and green materials for your compost heap and cover it to ensure it stays warm and dry.

Woody stems and twigs make up the necessary brown material, while weeds, grass cuttings and leafy parts of plants make up the green materials. Make sure you shred or cut up woody material before composting.

You could also try adding leftover coffee grounds to your heap to bulk up the green materials, or even add old paper and cardboard to make up additional brown materials.

If you already have a compost bin, you could start adding a generous top dressing of compost over the next couple of months to protect and enrich the soil over winter.

During September, you can also begin planting certain Spring bulbs to ensure your garden blooms next year.