Gardener's Calendar for September 14–20, 2026: Harvesting and Preparing for Winter

UA NEWS 14 September 2026 07:00

Mid-September is a crucial time for gardeners, when harvesting the remaining crops goes hand in hand with actively preparing the soil for the next season and planting winter crops.

From September 14 to 20, warm days and cool nights are ideal for harvesting root vegetables, pruning dead plants, making compost, and applying organic fertilizers. At this time, it’s important to remove plant debris from the garden beds promptly to prevent the development of fungal diseases and to begin preparing the plot for upcoming frosts.

September 14 and 15 are best spent harvesting late root vegetables and squash crops. On these days, it is recommended to harvest carrots, beets, parsnips, and late potatoes, as crops harvested in dry weather will store for a long time without rotting. You should also harvest ripe pumpkins and zucchini, storing them in a dry, well-ventilated area to allow the skin to harden. The cleared beds should be immediately cleared of plant debris, loosened, and sown with green manure crops, such as mustard or phacelia, to restore soil health and improve its structure.

From September 16 to 18, focus on caring for fruit trees, berry bushes, and perennials. This is a good time to prune dry and diseased branches, treat trunks against pests, and fertilize the garden with phosphorus-potassium fertilizers. It is also recommended during this period to plant young raspberry, currant, and gooseberry seedlings, as well as to prepare beds for fall planting of garlic and onions by tilling the soil and adding humus or compost.

The end of the week, September 19 and 20, will be the ideal time for planting winter crops, preparing greenhouses, and setting up compost piles. Toward the end of the week, you can begin planting winter garlic and onion sets to a depth of about 5 centimeters, making sure to mulch with dry leaves or sawdust. In greenhouses, remove any remaining tomatoes and cucumbers, disinfect the structures, and turn the soil; then, layer the collected plant material with soil and ash in a compost pit.