Tony's Tips - September 2025
Spring is here!
September brings more change to the garden than any other month. Plants wake from their winter dormancy and burst into life almost overnight. Every day reveals something new and it’s the perfect time to soak it all in.
This rapid growth needs support, so feeding is essential to help plants recover from the cold and thrive in spring.
Tomatoes are ready to plant from early September, especially early-fruiting varieties like cherry tomatoes that cope well with cooler conditions. Remember the golden rules:
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Plant into compost-enriched soil that hasn’t grown tomatoes for at least two years, or use a fresh, high-quality potting mix.
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Hold off on feeding until flowering and fruit set begins, then switch to a high-potassium fertiliser to boost fruiting.
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Protect plants with Tomato Dust, a sprinkle of lime in the soil, and ensure good air circulation to ward off pests and disease.
As the soil warms, more vegetables will be ready for planting each week.
On the flower front, Petunias (both spreading and bedding types) are available now, along with Marigolds and Cosmos. By late September, look out for Impatiens too.
A highlight this month is the release of Lavender ‘The King’: a stunning variety smothered in purple blooms from spring right through summer. Growing up to 60cm high and 80cm wide, it flowers longer than traditional lavenders and like all lavenders, thrives in a sunny, well-drained spot. A light trim after flowering will keep it in shape.
And for tomato lovers, our favourite Truss Plum will be available mid-September. By the end of the month, we’ll have more than 30 varieties of tomato seedlings in stock, all of them packed with true tomato flavour!
Lavandula The King
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Spreading Petunias
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Things to Do:
1. Invest in some Kocide
Spray peaches and nectarines with Kocide at pink bud stage, green bud stage and again mid-season to prevent peach leaf curl.
It is also effective for disease prevention on roses and tomatoes.
2. Time to feed
Feed all plants to support strong spring growth.
Pay special attention to Gardenias (three feeds through spring), Citrus and Buxus.
Prune and feed Camellias now to set them up for next season.
3. Tend to your lawn
Control weeds in lawns early, then follow with fertiliser to encourage new growth.
This is especially important for warm-climate lawns such as Buffalo, Couch and Kikuyu, which often struggle after winter.
4. Get pruning
Prune Hibiscus, Bougainvillea, Plumbago and most Salvias now.
Lightly prune Oak Leaf Hydrangeas to tidy and shape.