Making the Most of September on the Allotment

September can be one of the best months on the allotment. Baskets are still coming back full, but cooler mornings and shorter evenings bring a noticeable change of pace. Rather than simply clearing away summer, this is the month to decide how you want your plot to work through autumn and winter.

What to Sow in September

September doesn't have to mean the end of sowing. The soil retains some summer warmth, while cooler conditions suit a number of leafy crops.

Try sowing:

• Winter spinach
• Rocket
• Mizuna
• Lamb's lettuce
• Winter lettuce
• Radishes
• Pak choi
• Land cress

Growth will slow as temperatures and daylight levels fall, so earlier September sowings generally have the best chance of establishing well.

A greenhouse, polytunnel, cold frame or cloche can extend the season considerably and provide fresh leaves when outdoor growth has slowed.

Turn September Waste into Next Year's Compost

September's clear-up can produce a surprising amount of compostable material, making it a great time to replenish or restart the compost heap.

Spent vegetable plants, grass clippings and fresh prunnings provide plenty of nitrogen-rich 'greens' . Balance these with carbon-rich.

Balance these with carbon-rich 'browns' such as shredded cardboard, dry stems, small amounts of woody material and fallen leaves. Aim for a varied mixture rather than adding large quantities of one material at once.

Chop up tough stems and larger plants before adding them. Smaller pieces have more surface area for composting organisms to work on and will generally break down more quickly.

If the heap looks dry, add a little water; if it becomes wet and compacted, mix in more dry brown material. Turning the contents occasionally will introduce air and help decomposition.

As autumn leaves begin to fall, consider collecting some separately to make leaf mould . Pack damp leaves into a simple wire cage or reusable sack with air holes and leave nature to do the work. It takes longer than ordinary compost, but the finished leaf mould makes an excellent mulch and soil conditioner.

Most importantly, be selective about what goes onto the heap. Avoid adding diseased plant material and troublesome perennial weeds that could survive the composting process. A little attention now can turn this season's allotment waste into something valuable for next year's soil.

Pick, Check & Store

Apples and pears can produce one of the month's biggest harvests, but don't assume every fruit on a tree is ready at once.

Gently lift and twist the fruit. If it comes away easily, it is usually ready to pick. Check trees regularly as different varieties — and even different parts of the same tree — can ripen at slightly different times.

Fruit intended for storage needs careful handling. Set aside bruised, damaged or blemished fruit to use first and store only sound specimens.

Clear windfalls regularly. Fallen fruit can attract wasps and other pests and quickly begins to rot.

Don't Make the Plot Too Tidy

The instinct to clear everything away in autumn isn't always helpful.

Seed heads, hollow stems, small log piles and undisturbed corners can provide food and shelter for insects, birds and other allotment wildlife.

Late flowers are particularly valuable. Dahlias, asters, sedums, rudbeckia, cosmos and verbena can continue supplying nectar and pollen while conditions remain mild.

Remove diseased plant material and anything causing a problem, but consider whether the rest genuinely needs to be cleared.

Five Jobs for the End of September

Before the month is over:
Photograph your plot .It is surprisingly useful when planning next year's layout and crop rotation.

Label stored produce. Add the variety and harvest date, particularly to potatoes, squash and apples.

Check water collection. Clear gutters and make sure water butts are ready to capture autumn rainfall.

Inspect structures. Secure loose greenhouse panels, shed roofing, netting and other structures before autumn winds arrive.

Write down what worked. Record successful varieties, disappointing crops, pest problems and anything you want to grow differently next year.

By spring, you may have forgotten far more than you expect.

Looking Towards October

By the end of September, the allotment can look very different from the beginning of the month.

More beds will become available, leaves will be falling and attention will increasingly turn towards garlic, autumn onion sets, winter protection and improving the soil.

There is no need to clear everything at once. Work through the plot as crops finish, keep productive plants going for as long as conditions allow and protect the ground you won't be using.

September on the Allotment

September isn't simply about putting the allotment to bed. It is a month for getting more from the current season while quietly beginning the next one.

Harvest what is ready, sow where there is still an opportunity, protect empty soil and make a record of this year's successes and failures. A few well-chosen September jobs can keep the plot productive through autumn and make life considerably easier when spring comes around again.