September in the Southeast is a busy but rewarding time for gardeners in Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina. I love using this month to prep beds, plant cool-season crops, and tidy up the garden before the heat fades.
From pruning and mulching to sowing seeds that will thrive in fall, there’s plenty to keep your hands in the soil. Here’s a friendly guide to the key tasks that will help your garden flourish as the season changes.
1. Plant Fall Vegetables
Now’s the perfect time to get cool-season crops into Alabama gardens! Lettuce, spinach, kale, and collards thrive when planted now and will provide harvests well into winter.
Georgia and South Carolina gardeners should also add radishes and carrots to their planting list. These root vegetables develop sweeter flavors when maturing in cooling temperatures.
2. Divide Perennials
Overcrowded perennials need your attention now! Carefully dig up congested plants like daylilies, hostas, and irises, then separate them into smaller sections with healthy roots.
South Carolina gardeners find September’s milder temperatures ideal for this task, while Alabama and Georgia residents should water newly divided plants thoroughly. Your divided perennials will establish before winter and reward you with stronger blooms next year.
3. Refresh Mulch Layers
Summer heat likely deteriorated your mulch. Add a fresh 2-3 inch layer around trees and shrubs to insulate soil against temperature fluctuations common in Georgia during fall.
Alabama gardeners should use pine straw or bark mulch to suppress weeds and retain moisture. South Carolina residents benefit from mulching now to protect plant roots during occasional early cold snaps while keeping soil temperatures stable.
4. Collect Seeds
Gather seeds from your favorite garden performers! Alabama gardeners can harvest zinnia, marigold, and sunflower seeds once flower heads have dried but before they drop their bounty naturally.
Store collected seeds in paper envelopes in cool, dry places. Georgia and South Carolina gardeners appreciate this money-saving practice that preserves locally-adapted plants perfectly suited to Southeast growing conditions.
5. Plant Cover Crops
Empty garden beds benefit from cover crops! Crimson clover and winter rye prevent erosion while adding valuable organic matter to Georgia’s clay soils when turned under next spring.
South Carolina gardeners should consider Austrian winter peas or hairy vetch for nitrogen fixing benefits. Alabama gardeners find that cover crops suppress winter weeds while improving soil structure – a win-win for minimal effort.
6. Start Herb Cuttings
Take cuttings from tender herbs before frost! Rosemary, sage, and thyme root easily when 4-inch snippings are placed in water or damp potting mix in South Carolina homes.
Alabama gardeners can transition these to indoor pots for winter harvests. Georgia herb enthusiasts appreciate having fresh propagated plants ready for spring gardens without spending extra money at nurseries.
7. Fertilize Lawns
September is prime time for lawn feeding in the Southeast! Georgia centipede and Bermuda lawns benefit from a low-nitrogen, high-potassium fertilizer that strengthens roots without promoting excessive top growth.
Alabama fescue lawns should receive their main yearly feeding now. South Carolina gardeners should follow soil test recommendations, as over-fertilizing contributes to water pollution and doesn’t necessarily improve lawn health.
8. Prepare Soil Beds
Empty vegetable beds need attention now! Add compost, aged manure, and lime if needed based on soil tests. Alabama gardeners find that working amendments in now allows them to break down before spring planting.
Georgia clay soils especially benefit from organic matter incorporation. South Carolina gardeners should consider adding a layer of leaves, letting them decompose over winter to improve soil structure and fertility naturally.
9. Control Fire Ants
Fire ant activity increases as temperatures moderate! Apply approved baits around your South Carolina landscape when workers are actively foraging, typically during mild afternoons.
Alabama gardeners should treat mounds individually for quick control. Georgia residents find that consistent management now prevents spring population explosions, making outdoor activities more enjoyable throughout the cooler months ahead.
10. Plant Trees and Shrubs
Fall is ideal for establishing woody plants! Cooler temperatures and typically reliable rainfall across Georgia help new trees and shrubs develop strong root systems before summer stress returns.
Alabama gardeners appreciate that September-planted specimens require less watering than spring installations. South Carolina landscapes benefit from native selections like oakleaf hydrangea or Eastern redbud, which adapt perfectly to regional conditions.
11. Harvest Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes reach peak harvest time! Alabama gardeners should dig carefully when vines yellow, avoiding cuts or bruises that lead to spoilage. Allow tubers to cure in warm, humid conditions for 1-2 weeks.
Georgia and South Carolina growers find that proper curing develops sweetness and improves storage life. Don’t wash your harvest until ready to use – simply brush off excess soil and store in cool, dark places.
12. Monitor For Pests
Fall gardens face unique pest challenges! Watch for cabbage loopers and aphids on cool-season vegetables in Alabama. Treat problems with organic solutions like insecticidal soap or Bt for caterpillars.
Georgia gardeners should inspect citrus trees for whiteflies and scale. South Carolina growers benefit from installing row covers over new seedlings to prevent insect damage while plants are most vulnerable during establishment.
13. Clean Garden Tools
Take time for tool maintenance! Clean soil from garden implements, sharpen blades, and apply light oil to prevent rust. Georgia’s humidity makes proper tool care especially important.
Alabama gardeners should sanitize pruners with rubbing alcohol between plants to prevent disease spread. South Carolina tool sheds benefit from this organization now, ensuring everything’s ready for both fall gardening and spring’s return.
14. Plant Spring Bulbs
Start gathering spring-flowering bulbs! While Georgia soil remains too warm for immediate planting, September is perfect for selecting and purchasing daffodils, tulips, and hyacinths while supplies are fresh.
Alabama gardeners should prepare planting sites now. South Carolina residents can begin planting narcissus varieties late this month, following with other bulbs as temperatures continue dropping through fall.
15. Water Strategically
Adjust irrigation practices now! South Carolina gardens typically need less frequent watering as temperatures moderate, but deeper soaking when you do water. Check soil moisture before automatically irrigating.
Alabama gardeners should focus on new plantings and containers which dry more quickly. Georgia residents benefit from morning watering that allows foliage to dry completely, reducing fungal disease problems common during fall’s humidity fluctuations.