September Garden Tips for Better Results Next Season

By Blake Jackson

As September arrives, gardeners begin moving from the busy summer growing season toward fall. Although many crops and flowers are fading, this is an ideal time to evaluate the garden and record lessons that can help improve next year’s results.

Bruce Spangenberg, a horticulture outreach specialist with the University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension, recommends taking notes while the season is still fresh in your mind.

Vegetable gardeners should pay particular attention to crop rotation, an important practice for reducing the buildup of pests and diseases. Keeping a simple garden map that shows where each crop was planted can make future rotation decisions much easier.

Before removing plants, record the varieties grown, their overall performance, harvest quality and quantity, disease problems, and other observations. These notes can guide decisions about which crops and cultivars to grow next season.

When planning future planting locations, remember that crops belonging to the same plant family should generally be separated for several seasons. Related crops often face similar pests and diseases.

For instance, tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and potatoes belong to the same plant family, so planting peppers in an area previously occupied by tomatoes would not provide effective rotation.

Perennial flower gardens also deserve a seasonal review. If a perennial produced fewer or lower-quality flowers than usual, it may be a sign that the plant needs to be divided.

For many perennial species, spring is a better time for division, so gardeners should make a note now rather than waiting until next season.

Changes in the surrounding landscape can also affect perennial performance. Trees and shrubs may have grown enough to create additional shade, making a location unsuitable for plants that require full sun. Moving those plants to a brighter location may improve their growth.

Finally, marking perennial locations with small stakes can be helpful. New shoots may look very different from mature plants, and some warm-season ornamental grasses emerge later than other perennials. Clearly marked planting areas can make spring garden maintenance, plant identification, and planning much easier.

Photo Credit: university-of-wisconsin-madison