Here are a few things you might want to accomplish in the garden this month:

Buy fall bulbs

You may want to wait until October to plant them, but now is the time to source your bulbs. You’ll find a better selection of daffodils, tulips, hyacinths and even garlic if you shop early.

Keep harvested beds covered

As garden beds are harvested and plants are removed, consider keeping those beds covered to deter weeds and build soil. Use fallen leaves, mulch or cover crops to protect bare soil. Keeping the soil covered helps protect it from erosion and adds organic matter as materials break down.

Divide spring- and summer-blooming perennials

September is a great month to lift and divide overgrown perennials such as lilies, hostas, Oriental poppies and peonies. Dividing perennials can invigorate older plants while giving you more plants to add to other areas of your yard. It’s an easy form of propagation that allows you to make the most of plants you already have.

Plant cool-season vegetables

Photo by Meredith Seaver

Now is the time to plant fall crops such as kale, spinach and lettuce directly into the garden. Warm soil temperatures combined with cooler days encourage quick germination, but take care to keep the soil consistently moist. Carrots can be especially tricky to germinate during warm weather. One trick is to cover newly planted seeds with moist burlap and keep it moist until the seeds germinate. This helps maintain moisture around the seeds and keeps the soil from crusting or washing away when you water.

Save seeds

Do you have a favorite heirloom tomato, bean or pepper? September is an ideal time to save seeds. Harvest seeds from fruits that are fully ripe. For example, wait until that jalapeño pepper has turned red before saving its seeds. Allowing fruits to fully mature gives the seeds time to reach maturity as well.

Tomato seeds are a little trickier to save. Place the mature seeds in a dish of water and let them soak for a few days until a layer of scum develops on the surface. This fermentation process breaks down the gummy coating surrounding the seeds. Rinse the seeds thoroughly, then spread them on a paper plate and allow them to dry completely for about a week. Once they are fully dry, store them in a cool, dry place until you’re ready to plant them.

Refresh your planters

Replace tired summer planters with cool-season annuals such as pansies and ornamental kale or add fall-colored perennials such as chrysanthemums. By September, many summer containers are looking worn out and ready for a seasonal change. A few fresh plants can give your porch, patio or entryway a beautiful burst of fall color.

September is a wonderful month to slow down and enjoy the garden while still taking advantage of the cooler weather. The work of spring and summer is finally paying off, and there is something especially satisfying about harvesting what you have grown and preparing the garden for the seasons ahead.

Photo by Meredith Seaver

Elizabeth Binks is a horticulture assistant at the USU/Utah County Extension Service.

Many perennials occasionally need to be divided in the fall to keep them looking their best. Dividing perennials also gives you more plants for other areas in your landscape.

September is the start of garlic planting season. Use large, healthy cloves.

Swapping out old warm season annuals for fresh cool season plants like pansies or flowering cabbage will keep container gardens looking good throughout the fall.

Kale is a champion garden green. It grows well in spring or fall, germinates well in the fall and withstands fall frosts for a prolonged harvest.