September in Minnesota marks a beautiful transition from summer’s vibrant growth to fall’s rich colors and cooler temperatures. It’s the perfect time to tidy up your garden, prep your lawn, and start planning for a landscape that shines well into the colder months.

Whether you’re planting low-maintenance plants, preparing your concrete patio for fall, or looking ahead to new landscape design ideas, Otten Bros—a family-owned nursery since 1953—is here to guide you every step of the way.

1. Refresh Garden Beds and Plant for Fall Interest

Don’t let your garden fade with summer! September is the ideal time to refresh beds with fall-blooming perennials and ornamental grasses. Consider adding low-maintenance plants like:

• Asters
  
• Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’
  
• Russian Sage
  
• Ornamental grasses (like Little Bluestem or Switchgrass)
  

These options not only provide gorgeous texture and color, but they also thrive in Minnesota’s climate—making them excellent additions to low-maintenance landscape designs.

Tip: Use fall plantings to enhance your landscape front yard designs or line stepping stone walkway designs for eye-catching curb appeal.

2. Prune, Deadhead, and Divide Perennials

In early September, continue deadheading spent flowers to extend blooming. Later in the month, focus on dividing perennials like daylilies and hostas—especially if they’ve outgrown their space.

Now is also a great time to cut back:

• Leggy annuals
  
• Yellowing leaves
  
• Diseased foliage
  

If you’re unsure which plants need pruning, Otten Bros’ landscape specialists can help with personalized advice or full-service landscape gardening plans.

3. Prep the Lawn for Fall Growth

September is prime time for lawn care in Minnesota. The soil is warm, the air is cool, and conditions are perfect for turfgrass to thrive.

Lawn Care Checklist:

-Aerate to reduce compaction
-Overseed thin or patchy areas
-Apply a fall fertilizer for root growth
-Mow high and leave grass clippings for nutrients

Tip: If your lawn has standing water or poor drainage, fall is a great time to address landscape drainage or install a retaining wall to manage runoff. Our team can recommend the best landscaping and water drainage solutions for your property.

4. Harvest & Clean Up the Vegetable Garden

Don’t let your summer veggie patch go to waste! Harvest tomatoes, peppers, squash, and herbs before the first frost, and pull out any spent plants.

Compost healthy plant material, and dispose of anything diseased to reduce pests and disease next season. Add compost or leaf mulch to enrich the soil for spring planting.

If you’re ready to expand your edible garden, we can help with backyard landscape ideas that incorporate raised beds or easy backyard landscape designs that blend function and beauty.

5. Plant Spring-Flowering Bulbs

Now through mid-October is the perfect window to plant spring bulbs like tulips, daffodils, crocus, and allium. Tuck them into borders, beneath custom retaining walls, or around your paver walkway design for bursts of spring color next year.

Pro Tip: Add bulbs to areas you see from your windows or outdoor living spaces to brighten early spring days.

6. Plan (or Install) Fall Hardscape Projects

If you’ve been dreaming about upgrading your yard, September is an excellent time to install hardscaping features while the ground is workable and the weather is mild.

Otten Bros can help design and install:

• Concrete patios for fall entertaining
  
• Paver walkway designs to improve flow and safety
  
• Concrete block retaining walls to manage elevation and create visual interest
  
• Landscape design walkways to connect outdoor zones
  

These features are especially useful in luxury landscapes or low-maintenance yard designs, where beauty meets function.

7. Decorate for Fall

It’s also time to lean into cozy, seasonal style! Our Garden Center is stocked with:

• Pumpkins and gourds
  
• Fall planters
  
• Mums and ornamental kale
  
• Cornstalks and straw bales
  

Add fall touches near your front walkway, landscape beds, or outdoor living spaces to create a warm, welcoming vibe.

FAQ: September Gardening in Minnesota

Is it too late to plant in September?

Nope! September is a great time for perennials, ornamental grasses, shrubs, and spring bulbs. The cooler weather helps reduce transplant stress.

Can I start new landscaping projects in the fall?

Absolutely. Fall is ideal for installing retaining walls, patios, and new plantings. You’ll beat the spring rush and enjoy an established look come spring.

What should I do with my annuals?

Remove faded annuals, and consider swapping in fall-friendly containers with mums, asters, or kale.

How do I prep my lawn for winter?

Aerate, overseed, and fertilize in early September to ensure healthy root growth. Continue mowing until grass stops growing.

Final Thoughts

September is one of the most productive months in the Minnesota gardening calendar. With cooler temps and warm soil, it’s the perfect time to nurture your landscape, lay the groundwork for spring, and even begin new landscape design projects.

Whether you’re planting bulbs, refreshing beds, or planning a new backyard landscape design, Otten Bros has everything you need—from expert advice and quality plants to the best tools and materials.