September brings the first real lift in the garden. Soil is waking up, buds are moving, and it is time to set a steady spring rhythm.
Images by Amber Gardener
Find your climate
Across Australia, the month’s advice is grouped by climate — temperate, cool and alpine, subtropical, tropical and arid. Each region has its own priorities for what to sow now, and whether to direct sow, sow in trays, or transplant.
Shared tasks for all climates
These are the recurring September jobs I keep as a checklist at the potting bench:
Mulch garden beds while the soil is moist and gradually warming.
Last chance to plant bare rooted deciduous trees, shrubs and vines before real heat arrives. Container grown plants can go in through spring.
Plant evergreen shrubs and trees including citrus. This is also a good window to relocate established evergreens.
Feed fruit trees if you didn’t in late winter. Clean away spent growth on perennial herbaceous plants.
Propagate by cuttings or layering. Divide established perennials such as chives.
Tie in berry canes before the spring surge. Plant passionfruit where suitable.
Harden off August seedlings for 7 to 10 days before planting out.
Seeds and seedlings by climate
Here are quick, climate-specific highlights for sowing and planting in September.
Temperate
Begin warm season crops under cover, and direct sow cool tolerant staples.
Try: tomatoes, basil, climbing or bush beans, cucumber, zucchini, pumpkin, sweet corn, plus greens like lettuce, rocket and silverbeet. Start frost tender plants in trays if frost risk remains.
Cool and alpine
Frosts and even late snow are still possible in higher areas. Favour trays and protected spots for warmth.
Try: beetroot, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, lettuce, peas, silverbeet, spring onions and radish. Start warmth lovers such as tomatoes, basil, squash and sweet corn in trays, then transplant once conditions settle.
Subtropical
Conditions are mild to warm with some storm activity along the coast. A wide range is possible.
Try: beans, cucumber, eggplant, capsicum, pumpkin, sweet corn, okra, rockmelon, watermelon, herbs such as basil, dill and coriander, plus sweet potato and taro in suitable sites.
Tropical
Dry season heat builds with rising humidity. Choose crops that relish warmth.
Try: cowpeas, okra, sweet corn, sweet potato, taro, basil and zucchini.
Arid
Days are warming quickly. Work with heat adapted species and keep waterwise practices front of mind.
Try: tomato, eggplant, capsicum, zucchini, pumpkin, rockmelon, watermelon, okra, sweet corn, and herbs such as basil and oregano.
How I work with September
I organise spring sowing in small, frequent batches rather than one big push. It spreads the harvest, reduces risk and keeps the workload more even. If you are in a frost-prone pocket, keep warmth lovers in trays a little longer and plant out once nights are reliably mild.
Quick checklist
Mulch beds and top up paths.
Plant or relocate evergreens, and complete any bare root planting.
Feed fruit trees and tidy perennials.
Start spring sowing by climate, using trays for warmth lovers where frost is possible.
Tie berry canes, start passionfruit in suitable areas, and keep pond care light but regular.
Continue your gardening journey with me
If you enjoy this kind of content, my workshops offer more detail and guidance on design, productivity and seasonal care.
If you are building your garden from home right now, my ebooks on Wicking Bed Gardens and Introduction to Backyard Chicken Keeping offer practical step by step guidance that pairs well with the workshops.
You may want to check out my related content below:
Workshops are back. Gathering again for Spring – Discover the rest of the years workshops — from Garden Design, Productive Gardens, Wicking Beds and Medicinal Gardens.
Rooted in Reflection, Growing with Intention – Explore the intentionality behind creating a garden that serves both purpose and beauty.
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Thanks so much for following along.
Natasha xx
