It’s September, that transitional month between summer and autumn. Some days it’s back out with dresses and others it’s better suited to woolens and a raincoat. Up here on our farm in Northern Ireland I feel the landscape has gently moved into autumn. The blackberries (arriving later than warmer parts of Ireland and the UK) have been a joy this month, and together with a group of foragers we made some delicious apple and blackberry jelly which I’ve used as a companion in many scones so far and even a bramble victoria sponge.
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The gardening has begun to slow down and instead of a constant stream of sowing seeds we’ve been harvesting the fruits of all that hard work in Spring. Squash, pumpkins (I planted a bluey green variety called Invincible which has done beautifully) and of course those tomatoes! There’s plenty to pickle, ferment and store.
I try not to get too personal on these podcasts but I do feel like September has been an odd month for me. My little 19month old boy finally got his hip spica cast off after 3 grueling months where we both felt a little bit like prisoners in the house. It’s a huge cast, heavy and it really does make going out and about near impossible. So this month has been a combination of waiting and then re-education as suddenly baby Roo is learning all about his legs again. I cant wait until he can crawl! So it’s been a transitional month personally too for us both!
Anyway back to beautiful nature and what we can expect to see unfold before our eyes as we trundle towards a new season.
GROW-What to do in the Garden in September
Order in bare-root trees
Cut back lavender
Scarify the lawn
Plant fruit trees
Grow a tree from seed.
Plant shallots and hardy onion sets outside for overwintering
Semi-ripe cuttings
Harvest fruit
Make leaf mould
Save seeds
Bring tender plants indoors
Storing and using the harvest
Dry flowers
Prepare beds for next spring
Houseplants
Transplant spring cabbage outside harvest A-May.
Sow broad beans, carrots and peas to overwinter
Plant rhubarb plants
EAT-What’s in season in September
Onions (harvesting and storing in September)
Brussels
Broccoli
Cabbage
Cauliflower
Kale
French beans
Runner beans
Jer. Artichokes
Squash
Courgette
Pumpkin
Sweetcorn
Peppers
Tomatoes
Chard
Radish
Cucumber
Chicory
Spinach
Swedes
Turnips
Potaoes
Parsnips
Celeriac
Carrots
Beetroot
Wild Food/herbs in Season
sea buckthorn
Elderberry
Dandelion root
Dock root
Rose hips
Hazel nuts
Silver weed roots
Blackberry
Plantain leaves and seeds
Nettle roots
Haws of hawthorn & geulder rose
Cramp bark
Mushrooms
SEE- What to see in nature in September
The changing leaves and seeds on trees
As hedgehogs start to think about hibernation they are hungry. Leave out some food for them and fingers crossed you’ll see one!
DO- Slow Living Ideas for September
Force Hyacinths for indoor flowers (post coming soon)
Make a get well tonic for back to school colds (this book has great ideas)
Make jam
Go blackberry picking
Order in some new books for the cosy longer evenings
Make the most of the gluts and pick up cheaper, ripe produce and try your hand at preserving.
Pick seed heads to decorate your vases. Honesty have the most incredible seed pods that look stunning indoors.
Go on a mushroom walk with an expert and try some puffball fried in garlic and butter-yum!!
