September Gardening Tips: Getting Your Garden Ready for Fall in Fayetteville, NC

September in North Carolina can feel a little confusing in the garden. The calendar says fall is coming, but the afternoon temperatures may still feel very much like summer!

Even with the lingering heat, September is an important transition month for your landscape. Summer plants may be starting to look tired, cooler weather is on the horizon, and now is the time to begin preparing your garden for fall.

Here are a few things to focus on in your Fayetteville-area garden this September.

1. Keep Watering — Even Though Summer Is Ending

Don’t put away the hose just yet!

September can still bring plenty of hot, dry days to our area. Pay special attention to plants that were installed this spring or summer, as their root systems may not be fully established.

Deep, thorough watering is generally better than frequent shallow watering because it encourages roots to grow deeper into the soil. Container plants may need even more attention since pots can dry out quickly on warm, sunny days.

2. Refresh Tired Containers

If your summer containers are starting to look a little rough, September is a great time for a refresh.

You don’t necessarily have to replace everything at once. Remove struggling plants, trim back anything that’s become leggy, and start incorporating plants with colors and textures that transition nicely into fall.

As temperatures begin to cool, you can gradually move toward classic fall favorites like mums, pansies, violas, ornamental cabbage and kale.

3. Start Thinking About Fall Planting

Fall is one of our favorite times to plant!

As temperatures cool, fall provides an excellent opportunity to establish many trees, shrubs and perennials. The cooler air temperatures reduce stress on plants while the soil remains warm enough to encourage root development.

If you’ve been thinking about adding a new shrub border, replacing an old plant or filling an empty spot in your landscape, September is a great time to start planning.

4. Give Your Garden a Cleanup — But Don’t Overdo It

By September, some gardens can look a little wild after months of summer growth.

Remove obviously dead or diseased material and clean up fallen or damaged branches. You can also lightly tidy plants that need it.

However, resist the urge to aggressively prune everything in sight. Heavy pruning at the wrong time can encourage tender new growth or remove next year’s flower buds from certain shrubs.

When you’re unsure whether something should be cut back, ask us before grabbing the pruners!

5. Check Your Mulch

Take a look at your landscape beds. If mulch or pine straw has become thin, September is a good time to freshen things up.

A proper layer helps conserve soil moisture, suppress weeds and moderate soil temperatures as we transition into cooler weather.

Just remember: more isn’t always better. Avoid piling mulch against tree trunks or shrub stems.

6. Stay Ahead of Weeds

It can be tempting to ignore weeds as summer winds down, but don’t give them the chance to go to seed.

Pulling weeds now can save you a lot of frustration later. It’s also much easier to spot problem areas while you’re cleaning up beds and preparing them for fall planting.

7. Start Planning Your Spring Bulbs

Want daffodils, tulips or other spring-flowering bulbs next year?

Now is the time to start planning.

You don’t necessarily need to plant everything at the beginning of September—our soil can still be quite warm—but it’s a great time to decide where you want spring color and start purchasing bulbs before your favorites sell out.

8. Don’t Give Up on the Garden Yet!

September isn’t the end of gardening season in North Carolina. In many ways, it’s the beginning of one of the best gardening seasons we have.

The temperatures will eventually cool, fall color will arrive, and there are plenty of opportunities to refresh containers, add new plants and prepare your landscape for the months ahead.

Need help figuring out what to plant this September?

Stop by Green Side Up Garden & Gifts in Fayetteville, NC. Our team can help you choose plants that work for your space, sun exposure and landscape goals so you can head into fall with a garden you love.