September Vegetables & Herbs Calendar

Go to:-  Main Calendars Page  |  September Fruit Calendar

General

September is a bumper time for harvesting as many crops will be in full swing. Clearing plants which have finished cropping as you go will save on having to do a big job all in one big task and will make digging the land over much easier.

After digging vacant ground can be covered with black polythene to stop  weeds growing

Much of the vegetation will be suitable for making compost, so if you haven't already got one, now is a good time to start a compost heap.

Harvesting & Storing Vegetables in September

Continue harvesting all crops regularly as and when they are ready

Harvest maincrop potatoes and store unblemished roots in a cool, dark well ventilated place

Complete the harvesting of onions once the leaves yellow and die back. Allow the bulbs to dry out before storing in a cool airy place

Continue harvesting sweetcorn as and when the silk threads turn dark brown. This should be complete by the middle of September

Start harvesting heads of celery

Dry fresh herbs for use in the kitchen during the winter

Care, Sowing & Planting Vegetables & Herbs in September

Start collecting ripened seed for sowing next year

Sow overwintering broad beans where they are to grow

Plant out spring cabbages

Start planting autumn onion and shallot  sets towards the end of the month

Plant Garlic bulbs

Plant a few cut-and-come-again salads for quick growing baby salad leaves in autumn

Sow winter salad seeds for harvesting during the winter 

Cut back asparagus fronds if not already done

Cut off the tops of finished bean and pea plants but leave the roots and dig in as these provide valuable nitrogen to the soil

Start lifting and divide perennial herbs. Sections can also be potted up

Continue pinching off any flower heads of herbs as will keep the plant producing leaves for culinary use.

Keep greenhouse plants well watered

Protecting Vegetables & Herbs in September

Protect newly planted crops from pigeons with netting

Start earthing up Celery

Remove all plant debris from the vegetable patch or allotment, to reduce the spread of disease and pests and burn all leaves and plants which look as though they may be diseased

Protect cauliflower curds by bending a few of the leaves over the heads

Planning and Buying Vegetables in September

Order Seed Catalogues in late September

Start thinking about planning your veg and herb beds, borders and plots for next year

See Individual growing pages