Things to Do on the Allotment in September

dorsetcountrylife
3 days ago
3 min read

September has such a lovely feel to it down on the allotment. The light is softer, the mornings are dewy, and there’s that unmistakable hint of autumn in the air. I always think of it as a month of balance — still plenty to pick and enjoy, but also time to start thinking about tidying, clearing, and preparing for the colder months ahead.

Here’s what I’ve been up to (and what I’ve got on my list!) this September.

Harvest Time (and Gluts!)

This is the month where I’m coming home with bags full of produce — sometimes more than I know what to do with!

The beans are still going strong, and I’m picking courgettes almost daily (the ones I miss turn into marrows overnight, as they do…). Sweetcorn is picked and now frozen— nothing beats peeling back those husks and finding bright golden kernels inside.

The maincrop potatoes have now died back, so I’ve tipped them out of the sacks and taken them home to enjoy.

The curly kale and swiss chard have been simply delicious this year and in abundance.

Fruit-wise, the raspberries are just wonderful this year. The apples in the orchard have also done well so I’ve had to get a bit creative in the kitchen with all the windfalls — lots of crumbles, chutneys, and even a few jars of jam tucked away.

Planting & Sowing for Autumn

Even though it feels like the season is winding down, I’m still sowing here and there. A few trays of spinach and winter salads have gone in — they’ll keep us in leaves through the colder months.

I'm also considering ordering my onion sets and garlic ready for planting later this autumn. They always feel like such a solid investment — pop them in now, forget about them over winter, and you’re rewarded with a harvest next summer.

Brassicas Galore

This is the time to get the brassicas sorted. I’ve planted out some young spring cabbages and kale. They always need a bit of extra TLC: I net them against pigeons and keep an eye out for the last stragglers of the cabbage white butterflies. I firmed them in really well too — brassicas like to feel secure in the soil.

Tidying Beds & Adding Compost

I’ve started pulling up the spent bean and pea plants. I always leave the roots in the ground, because they’re packed with nitrogen. A nice natural feed for whatever follows.

Some beds have had a top-up with compost and a good mulch. It feels like tucking them in for the winter, ready for a rest before spring planting.

Seeds for Next Year

One of my favourite September jobs is seed saving. I’ve left a few beans and peas to dry on the plant, and I’m keeping some tomato seeds too. It feels like a gift to my future self — I’ll be so glad of them when I’m sowing next spring.

Runner bean seeds dries ready to store for the next year of growing

General Bits & Pieces

The allotment is definitely starting to look more “end of season” now. I’ve been:

Keeping on top of weeds, which are still determined to set seed.
Giving the compost heap a good turn .
Checking the shed roof and water butts ahead of the autumn rains.
Tidying away stray pots and tools — it feels good to have everything in order before the weather turns.

And Finally… Enjoying It All

Above everything else, September is a time to really enjoy the rewards of all those months of sowing, nurturing and watering. There’s something very grounding about cooking a meal that’s almost entirely from the plot. I’ve had simple dinners of roasted veg, steamed beans, and apple crumble for pudding — nothing fancy, but full of flavour.

The allotment in September feels generous and abundant, and I always try to pause and soak it all in before the quieter months roll around.

What will you be doing on your allotment this September?

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