We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn More ›
September might feel like the ultimate transitional lull in the garden, leaving you twiddling your green thumb while waiting for fall crops to mature and watching summer’s last tomatoes fade. But before you dismiss this month as completely blasé, consider all the creative ways you can elevate your garden during this time of year. With cooler temperatures and less pressure to weed or prune, you have the freedom to play, experiment, and transform your outdoor space. “September is not an ending; it is a golden hour for creativity and a quiet invitation to dream up what comes next,” says Zeeshan Haider, CEO and founder of Greenry Enthusiast in Sheridan, Wyoming.
Here are five expert-approved September gardening tasks to help you make the best of your green oasis.
Set the mood with deep autumn colors.
This time of year means Halloween and harvests are just around the corner. Lean into it by displaying a rich autumn palette in your garden, such as deep burgundy, near-black purple, rust orange, a touch of mustard yellow, and a whisper of silver or cream to balance it out. “I love turning quiet corners into moody fall container gardens, mixing deep purple mums, ornamental peppers, and frilly cabbage that actually gets more vibrant as the temperature drops,” says Haider. “It feels like painting with living colors.”
When planting in September, choose coral bells (Heuchera) for its wine-colored, ruffled leaves; black mondo grass (Ophiopogon planiscapus ‘Nigrescens’) for a near-black, spiky contrast; and dusty miller (Jacoba maritima) for a silvery, ghostly edge that makes the deep purples pop even more. “Ornamental kale is another favorite of mine; alongside cabbage, it holds up beautifully once frost hits and almost looks hand-painted,” says Haider.
For containers, he recommends using dark glazed ceramic or aged concrete rather than anything glossy or bright. “The matte, weathered look lets the plants do the talking.” Galvanized metal tubs also work well if you want a slightly industrial, rustic edge. Finally, try tucking a few plants in wicker baskets, too, since the texture plays so nicely against the frilly cabbage leaves.
Display a hydrangea wreath.
This is the perfect time to turn your plants into art that welcomes guests to your home. “Cut down the prettiest limelight hydrangea blossoms you have—look for white/green/pink petals, ideally no brown,” suggests Erin Williams, gardener, flower educator, and founder of Gathered from the Garden in New Jersey. Then purchase a grapevine wreath from your local craft store. You don’t need wire; just start slotting the flowers into the wreath at an angle. Cut the stems sticking out in the back and save the baby blooms for the last bits when you need to cover any extra grapevine. “It’s perfect for hanging on your door for a floral fall vibe,” notes Williams.
Add a small container water feature.
If you have been wishing for a soothing water feature in your yard, then this is an opportune time to make it happen. While you can simply purchase one, you can also turn this dream into a fun DIY project. “Take a glazed ceramic pot or a half whiskey barrel, seal the drainage hole with marine-grade silicone, drop in a low-voltage solar or plug-in pump rated around 80 to 130 gallons per hour, and let the sound do the work,” says Loren Taylor, owner of Outdoor Fountain Pros in Camas, Washington.
Consider adding floating plants, but check your state’s noxious weed list first, as several popular floating pond plants are banned or restricted in parts of the country. “I usually stick to a hardy dwarf water lily or a native rush suited to the region, sourced from a local nursery that knows the rules,” says Taylor. The entire project takes an afternoon and costs less than a nice shrub, he says.
Plant bulbs in layered pots.
Haider also enjoys planting spring-flowering bulbs in creative, layered pots rather than straight rows for a September gardening project. He likes mixing tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, crocuses, and alliums in the same container rather than planting one variety per pot. “When I say layered, I mean planting them in a single pot at different depths, not using different sized pots, which is often called bulb lasagna,” he explains. You put the largest, latest-blooming bulbs like tulips or daffodils at the bottom, add a layer of soil, place mid-size bulbs like hyacinths in the middle, add more soil, then finish with small, early bloomers like crocuses near the top.
“Layering is beneficial because it staggers bloom times; so instead of one week of flowers, you get a rotating show that lasts from late winter through spring, and it also maximizes color in a small space since you’re using vertical layers instead of spreading everything out horizontally.”
Build herb-drying stations.
For a whimsical touch, build small herb-drying stations, says Haider. He ties the last of his basil, sage, or thyme cuttings in small bundles and hangs them somewhere with good airflow, like a covered porch corner or a garden shed hook, so they dry naturally over the following weeks. “It’s a nice complementary September task: while the bulbs are quietly working underground, the herbs are visibly transforming above ground, so the whole space feels alive with little projects rather than dormant,” he explains.
