September has arrived, and the Arizona backyard feels the results of a protracted, sizzling summer season. Some crops are lifeless and crispy, peppers and tomatoes want pruning, the irrigation system may use a tune-up, and fallen branches from monsoon storms want clearing. The following planting season is simply across the nook, so it’s time to get to work.
On this article, you’ll discover the important duties to assist your September vegetable, panorama, flower, and fruit backyard transition to the subsequent season. We’ll additionally focus on widespread pests to be careful for and provides tips for watering throughout this pivotal month. Discover all my desert gardening assets in a single place on the Desert Gardening web page.
For particular particulars on what to plant and harvest in Arizona’s low desert throughout September, try my planting guides or the weblog put up, “September Planting Information for Arizona’s Low Desert.” Arizona Backyard in September (printable guidelines): As you propose duties, verify the September harvest information for the low desert to time your choosing.
The low desert consists of areas under 3,500 ft in elevation, such because the Phoenix and Tucson metro areas.
Click on on the title to leap to that part and study extra about what to do throughout September:
Extra September YouTube Movies
Vegetable Gardening
Assess your Present Backyard
In case your backyard has been struggling or hasn’t thrived as you’d hoped, it’s time to dig a little bit deeper—actually and figuratively. Begin by evaluating the basis causes after which do your finest to repair them.
Is your backyard getting watered accurately? Is your soil too dry or too moist? Dig into your beds and verify. Alter watering if wanted.
Are tree roots from neighboring bushes invading the area? Dig down and take away roots contained in the mattress, and discover the incoming roots outdoors the mattress. Pull again the roots and reduce so far as doable outdoors of the mattress.
How is your soil? It must be gentle and friable. The success of your raised mattress backyard largely depends upon the standard of your soil. The highest 12″ (30 cm) of your raised beds must be a high-quality raised mattress combine. I exploit the raised mattress combine from Arizona Worm Farm. You can also make your individual combine by combining compost, coconut coir, and vermiculite, or perlite. This combine ensures good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient availability, offering an optimum setting in your greens to thrive. Study extra on this weblog put up.
You may also take into account testing your soil. Based mostly on the outcomes, amend the soil accordingly. I exploit and advocate this soil testing equipment.
Plan Your Fall Backyard
Put together Beds For Fall Planting
All through the season, natural matter decomposes, and the soil degree in your raised beds will naturally drop and wish replenishing. Pull again the mulch and high the soil with worm castings and a recent layer of compost. If wanted, add a raised mattress combine to carry the soil degree again up. Study extra about making ready your soil for planting on this information.
What number of worm castings ought to I add to my backyard beds?
For established beds, apply 4 cups per 4×8 mattress.
In new beds, purpose for round 5% worm castings (11 gallons per 4×8 mattress).
Layer them on high of the soil and calmly water them in.
Study extra about the advantages of worm castings on this weblog put up.
If you happen to aren’t planting till October, plant a final spherical of canopy crops – black-eyed peas or buckwheat— later within the month. The crops don’t should get very giant earlier than they’re chopped and used as natural matter to feed the soil. Study extra about utilizing cowl crops on this article.
Have irrigation in place for backyard beds and planting areas. Examine present irrigation for leaks and ensure it’s working accurately. If you happen to use backyard grids from Backyard in Minutes, verify that the holes should not clogged from onerous water buildup. If they’re, use a push pin to reopen closed holes. Use code Angela10 to save lots of $10 off $100 or ANGELA to save lots of 7% on any measurement order.
Backyard Duties Throughout September
In case your backyard is something like mine, it’s in all probability a multitude, and it’s time to wash it up! Take away lifeless or dying crops. If they’re diseased or contaminated with pests, throw them away within the trash, not your compost. Clear up particles within the backyard. This could harbor pests and ailments.
If you happen to haven’t already and your crops are overgrown, reduce peppers, eggplants, and tomatoes to the latest leaves. This rejuvenates the crops for a superb fall crop. After reducing again, high crops with worm castings and compost.
Worms are inclined to make themselves scarce when the soil is sizzling. As temperatures cool, they may come again into your bins. As soon as nighttime temperatures are constantly under 80°F (26°C), it’s time to refresh in-bed vermicomposting bins or begin new bins. Find out how on this weblog put up.
Begin seeds indoors in your favourite cool-season crops. This weblog put up particulars which seeds to begin this month.
Discover seed potatoes and start “chitting” them so they are going to be able to plant later this month or in October. Study extra about methods to develop potatoes on this article.
That is the final probability to order garlic so you possibly can plant it in October. Retailer it within the fridge till planting time.
Pot any indoor-grown seedlings outgrowing their containers if it isn’t time to plant them outdoors. Fertilize indoor-grown seedlings each different watering.
Sustain with day by day okra harvests this month. Study my seven favourite methods to make use of okra on this weblog put up.
Roselle harvests start in earnest this month. Study extra about rising roselle on this article.
As soon as daytime temperatures are constantly under 90℉ (32°C), take away the shade material (if utilizing).
Cowl newly planted seeds and seedlings with tulle to maintain the birds from digging up seeds or consuming seedlings.
Flip and spray down your compost. It’s in all probability dried out over the summer season. Add extra greens if wanted to warmth it again up. Study extra about composting right here.
Planting Cool Season Crops in September
Pay shut consideration to the climate this month. If temperatures are nonetheless within the 100s and the nights are nonetheless sizzling, wait to plant cool-season crops. If the soil temperatures are at or above 85°F, the soil continues to be very heat—wait to plant. Learn this put up for extra details about methods to measure your soil temperature.
For particular particulars on what to plant throughout September, try my planting guides or the ‘September Planting Information.’
If you happen to’re able to dive deeper into gardening, discover my gardening lessons. I supply each on-line and in-person choices that develop on the matters lined on this put up—seasonal planting, raised beds, soil well being, and gardening within the low desert—so you possibly can develop with confidence.
My September Backyard Journals
Twice a month, I ship my private backyard journal to members of “Rising within the Backyard Academy.” From the primary seedling to the final harvest, you possibly can comply with my gardening adventures in Arizona’s distinctive low desert. As a member, you possibly can entry the previous three years of backyard journals and month-to-month lessons.
Be part of me, and let’s make your backyard thrive beneath the desert solar!
Low Desert Arizona in September: Pests & Wildlife to Watch Out For This Month
Sadly, the marginally cooler temperatures of September are inviting for pests.
Right now of 12 months, Tecoma crops, yellow bells, and bougainvillea could also be infested with caterpillars. If the plant is giant, it normally survives the infestation with out affecting the tree’s total well being. If you happen to determine to deal with, you could have a couple of decisions: spray off with water or use BT. When the climate cools a bit, the caterpillars can have moved on. Prune off severely contaminated branches.
Whiteflies are lively within the heat climate of late summer season and early fall. To maintain infestations down, apply a soapy water answer of 1 Tablespoon Daybreak to 1 gallon of water to the undersides of leaves day by day.
Grasshoppers are widespread this month. Handpick. Hopefully, the birds assist you out, too.
Spider mites could be problematic this month. Learn this put up for therapy choices.
Squash and Jap Bordered Plant Bugs. This text shares prevention and therapy choices.
If rollie-pollies are consuming seedlings (they love beans!), sprinkle a small quantity of this slug and snail bait if you plant. Study extra on this weblog put up.
Helpful bugs and different wildlife within the backyard throughout September:
Bees, murderer bugs, wasps, cicadas, hummingbirds, praying mantids, lizards, and butterflies like Swallowtails and Gulf Fritillary.
Want a fast definition for complicated gardening phrases you discover on this put up? See the Sensible Gardening Glossary.
Container Gardening Duties
It’s typically finest to begin over with recent raised mattress combine or one other high-quality potting combine in containers. You possibly can add spent container soil to fill empty backyard beds, use it as mulch for bushes, or add it to your compost.
Nevertheless, it’s doable to replenish and reinvigorate the soil utilized in your containers. This weblog put up explains methods to do it.
To refresh giant containers, pull again the mulch and take away giant roots. Moisten the soil and verify for drainage. Fill the remaining room with new raised mattress combine. Add in a balanced natural fertilizer.
Arizona September Backyard Duties: Flower Gardening
September is a time of change within the annual flower mattress. By the tip of the month, you’ll wish to filter summer season blooming annuals. Amend beds nicely with about an inch of compost (no more). If the soil is simply too wealthy, you’ll have many leaves however no flowers.
As soon as daytime temperatures constantly fall under 100℉ (38°C) and nights quiet down under 80°F (27°C), plant cool-season annuals from seed and transplants. Water newly planted annuals every day till they present new development and are established.
October is a key planting month for wildflowers and winter flowers; you wish to be prepared. Order seeds, bulbs and corms and begin winter flower seeds indoors.
Accumulate seeds from blooming 4 o’clock flowers this month. Discover ways to develop 4 o’clock flowers on this article. Save seeds from zinnias, sundown cosmos, and different summer season flowers.
Make a fast be aware of flowers that carried out nicely for you this summer season. Observe when and the place you planted them. Study out of your successes every year!
Arizona Annual Flowers Planting Calendar helps you study when to plant flowers in Arizona and when to begin seeds indoors.
Caring for Roses Throughout September in Arizona
Start calmly fertilizing roses once more this month. Sustain with watering each few days till temperatures cool in October.
As soon as nighttime temperatures are within the 70s (21-26°C), prune roses calmly to take away lifeless or diseased canes. (This is likely to be in October)
Consider your roses. They could look haggard, but when crops are severely burned or struggling, take into account transferring them to a shadier location subsequent month.
Make plans for planting roses subsequent month. Selecting the best varieties helps guarantee your roses survive the summer season warmth. Roses equivalent to Memorial Day, Iceberg, Mom of Pearl, and Julia Youngster are wonderful decisions as they’re recognized for his or her resilience and skill to resist excessive temperatures.
I get all of my roses from Heirloom Roses. I really like that they’re own-root roses (no grafts!) and have the very best requirements for ailments. You realize you might be getting sturdy, disease-free roses with robust roots if you get them from Heirloom Roses. Use Code GARDENAZ20 for 20% off any rose order by way of December 31, 2025. Order now and have them shipped when you’re able to plant (as much as 8 months later).
Fruit and Fruit Bushes
Poor summer season watering practices trigger citrus rinds to thicken, they usually cut up when the fruit expands within the fall. Solar-damaged fruit can also be widespread. Choose and discard any cut up or sun-damaged fruit this month. Do your finest to supply common deep watering for these fruit bushes.
Many types of pomegranates will likely be prepared to reap in October or November. Take away fallen and infested fruit to maintain leaf-footed bugs beneath management.
Apply the final spherical of citrus fertilizer early within the month—water nicely the day earlier than and once more after fertilizing. Skip fertilizing grapefruit this time; they require much less fertilizer than different kinds of citrus bushes. If you happen to’re utilizing the worm casting, compost, and mulch methodology, doing this on all bushes is ok.
One of the best time to plant strawberries is in mid-September. Planting in heat soil permits the roots to turn into established. Study extra about methods to develop strawberries on this weblog put up.
Lemons start to ripen in September. Pores and skin colour just isn’t at all times an indicator of ripeness, so style the fruit to see when it’s prepared. Fruit shops finest on the tree. The longer the fruit stays on the tree, the sweeter the fruit turns into. Fruit is not going to ripen as soon as picked. Ripe citrus fruit could be left on the tree for as much as 6 months, relying on the variability.
Herb Gardening
The Arizona Herb Planting Information helps you study when to plant over 30 herbs in Arizona and whether or not to plant seeds or transplants.
Panorama Duties in September
Planting:
September is an effective time to plant agave, cactus, and yuccas. However October is the finest time to plant most different panorama crops. If you happen to can wait till then, there will likely be a bigger choice, and plenty of locations (just like the Desert Botanical Backyard) have plant gross sales.
Whereas ready to plant, go searching your neighborhood for crops you want that survived the summer season. Use a plant ID app to establish them. These crops is likely to be good decisions to exchange lifeless crops in your yard. Attempt to plant them in the identical publicity. Observe the mature measurement of the plant and permit sufficient room.
Different panorama duties:
For present crops, when you see new development and temperatures under 100℉ (37°C), you possibly can start to chop again some perennials and vines.
Amend perennials with compost.
Hose off crops susceptible to spider mites about as soon as per week.
Pull weeds that emerge after monsoon rains. Don’t allow them to set seed.
Arizona Backyard in September Watering Tips
Take into consideration methods to reap or channel rainfall and direct it in your property. Learn this put up to study extra about utilizing rainwater harvesting and swales and berms to gather and use rainwater.
Watering Containers Throughout September
I normally water my containers each 3-4 days in September and replenish the ollas every time I water. I exploit ollas from Growoya.
Watering Annuals and Backyard Beds Throughout September
As nighttime temperatures decline, regularly lengthen the time between watering. Water to a depth of about 8-12 inches each 2-5 days, permitting the highest of the soil to dry out earlier than watering once more. I normally water my raised beds each 3-4 days in September. I exploit the backyard grids from Backyard in Minutes to water them. (Use code Angela10 to save lots of $10 off $100 or ANGELA to save lots of 7% on any measurement order.)
Tree and Vine Watering Tips: 1, 2
When daytime temperatures are under 100℉ (37°C), start to regulate the time between watering citrus and different fruit bushes to round twice a month. Do that regularly by including 1-2 days onto the watering frequency till your bushes are being watered twice a month.
Established citrus bushes must be watered as soon as each 7-14 days to a 2-3 ft depth.
Water annual fruit and excessive water use vines each 2-5 days to a depth of 8-12″.
Water established fruit bushes each 7-10 days to a depth of 18-24″.
Grape vines want deep watering each 5 days.
Water annual fruit and excessive water use vines each 2-5 days to a depth of 8-12″.
Desert-adapted bushes, shrubs & vines each 7-21 days (water to a depth of 24-36″ bushes / 18-24″ shrubs / 8-12″ vines).
Excessive water use bushes each 7-10 days (water to a depth of 18-24″).
Excessive water use shrubs each 5-7 days (water to a depth of 8-12″).
Sources:
1 – For added info on watering practices, go to: “Affiliation of Municipal Water Customers Authority. (2023). Landscaping with Fashion within the Arizona Desert.” https://www.amwua.org/landscaping-with-style.
2 – https://extension.arizona.edu/websites/extension.arizona.edu/recordsdata/pubs/az1151-2021percent20percent282percent29.pdf
