The September Allotment - Jobs to Do This Month

September is one of the most rewarding months on the allotment. The days may be getting shorter, but the soil is still warm, crops are ripening, and there’s plenty to harvest, preserve, and prepare for the cooler months ahead. For many growers, September marks the bridge between the height of summer abundance and the slower pace of autumn, making it a crucial time to both enjoy the fruits of your labour and set up your plot for success in the months to come.

Here are the key jobs to tackle on your allotment this September:

Harvesting Abundance

September is peak harvest time, and you’ll likely find yourself coming home with armfuls of produce. Keep on top of picking to avoid waste and encourage plants to keep cropping.

• Tomatoes – Pick regularly as they ripen. Any green tomatoes left towards the end of the month can be ripened indoors or turned into chutney.

  
  

• Courgettes and marrows – Harvest courgettes while they’re small to keep plants producing; if a few slip through and become marrows, use them in soups, stews, or chutneys.

  
  

• Beans and peas – Keep picking French and runner beans before they get stringy. Any surplus can be blanched and frozen.

  
  

• Sweetcorn – Test for ripeness by pressing a kernel with your fingernail; if a milky liquid comes out, it’s ready.

  
  

• Apples and pears – Early varieties are ready this month. Twist gently; if they come away easily, they’re ripe.

  
  

This is also a great time to store crops for winter. Onions, shallots, and garlic that were lifted earlier in summer should now be fully dried and ready for stringing or storing in nets. Maincrop potatoes can be dug up once the foliage has died back; let them dry before storing in paper sacks in a cool, dark place.

Sowing for Autumn and Winter

Although many think of September as the end of the growing season, there’s still plenty to sow for autumn harvests and even early spring cropping. The soil is warm and moist, making it ideal for germination.

• Leafy greens – Sow spinach, rocket, and oriental greens like pak choi or mizuna for cut-and-come-again leaves.

  
  

• Lettuce – Choose hardy varieties such as ‘Winter Density’ or ‘Arctic King’ for picking into the colder months.

  
  

• Spring onions – Sow now for early harvests next year.

  
  

• Broad beans – In milder areas, sow an overwintering variety towards the end of September.

  
  

• Green manure – Phacelia, mustard, or clover can be sown on bare ground to protect the soil and improve fertility.

  
  

These late sowings not only extend your harvest but also keep your plot productive when it might otherwise be bare.

Tidying and Preparing Beds

After a busy summer, September is the perfect month to tidy and refresh your allotment.

• Clear spent crops – Remove plants that are past their best, but chop and compost what you can.

• Weeding – Don’t let weeds go to seed; clear them before they spread.

• Mulching – Spread compost, manure, or leaf mould over cleared beds to feed the soil and lock in moisture.

• Covering – Consider using cloches, fleece, or polytunnels to extend the season and protect tender crops from early frosts.

Tidying now saves time later and sets you up for healthier crops in spring.

Looking After Fruit Bushes and Trees

Fruit plants benefit from some attention this month:

• Prune summer-fruiting raspberries – Cut the old canes that have fruited right back to the ground, leaving the new canes to crop next year.

• Tie in blackberries and loganberries – Secure new growth to supports for next summer’s harvest.

• Check apple and pear trees – Pick up and compost any fallen fruit to reduce disease. If branches are overloaded, use supports to prevent them snapping.

• Strawberries – Clear old foliage, remove runners unless you want new plants, and mulch around crowns.

Composting and Soil Care

September brings a lot of organic material onto the plot, from pulled-up plants to windfall fruit. Rather than waste it, turn it into rich compost.

• Chop up larger stems to speed decomposition.

• Layer green materials (like grass clippings, veg peelings) with browns (cardboard, straw, woody prunings).

• Keep the heap damp but not waterlogged.

• Turn it occasionally to aerate and mix.

A healthy compost heap is one of the best investments you can make in your allotment.

Planning Ahead

While much of September’s work is hands-on, it’s also a good time to plan.

• Order autumn-planting garlic, onions, and shallots to get them in the ground from October onwards.

• Think about crop rotation for next year – note where your crops grew to avoid planting the same family in the same spot.

• Clean and repair tools before the damp weather sets in.

• Check structures like sheds, fences, and water butts for wear and tear.

Taking a little time to plan and prepare now pays off in spring.

Enjoying the Season

Finally, don’t forget to pause and enjoy what September brings. The light is softer, the evenings are cooler, and allotments are full of colour and abundance. Share surplus crops with neighbours, swap seeds with fellow gardeners, or try new preserving recipes.

September is a month of gratitude and preparation: harvesting the rewards of summer while laying the foundations for the seasons ahead. Whether you’re sowing winter salads, stacking wood for paths, or simply enjoying a crisp apple straight from the tree, there’s something deeply satisfying about this moment in the gardening year.