September knows how to make an entrance. Don’t you just love a good holiday? I also embrace the intentional reset that this time of year offers. With cooler mornings teasing their return, I’m using this month to get my outdoor spaces in shape for many seasons of gatherings. From casual backyard brunches to major celebrations that stretch into next summer, each weekend of preparation helps me set the stage for seasons full of great memories.
Maybe you’ve got an unused corner of the yard, an overgrown fence line, or a forgotten patio that’s begging to become part of your entertaining space. For me, it’s the northwest side of the yard, where we had a fire pit near the back deck. Renovating that area and reconnecting it to the heart of the yard just makes sense.
I’ve broken the project into manageable two-hour blocks, just enough time to make progress without burning out. Every weekend, four of us will tackle a small project, followed by a satisfying brunch built around simple, seasonal ingredients, many of them Fresh From Florida (a program of the Florida Department of Agriculture). If DIY isn’t your thing, invest in professional services; you can still enjoy the planning, brunching, and hosting without lifting a paver.
Here’s how I’m breaking it down; adopt or adapt whatever suits you. Maybe you’ll tackle the same projects, or maybe you’ll chart your own course. Even if it’s just the menus that stick, I’m here to inspire and share what is working for me.
Weekend One: Fire Pit Revival
We’ll clear out and rebuild the fire pit area using the broken pieces of a very large terra-cotta pot to create a cozy, unique focal point.
Our brunch pairing for this project will be shrimp and beef skewers with squash and mango, served alongside a crisp cucumber salad.
Weekend Two: Paint and Polish
Plant stands, seating, and deck railings all get a fresh coat. Yes, we’ll probably be wearing our work in our hair—turquoise highlights, anyone?
The brunch pairing we’ll reward ourselves with is chicken marsala with a side of cheesy squash casserole—comfort food at its finest.
Weekend Three: Structure and Stonework
On the agenda is completing the paver walkways, erecting the shade structure for the grill, and anchoring the prep table.
We will refresh ourselves with a brunch pairing of French toast stuffed with starfruit jam and cheesecake filling. Every bite will be earned.
Weekend Four: Finishing Touches
It’s time for the final flourishes: laying mulch, refreshing annuals, and adding greenery for instant charm.
Our finale brunch pairing will be orange-and-starfruit-glazed red snapper with mango salsa over avocado toast—a vibrant, fresh, and very Florida-Friendly end to a month filled with sustainable progress.
Whether you have big plans or no plans at all for the upcoming season, if you decide to use September to prepare for the potential, don’t rush. Establish a rhythm, balancing productivity with pleasure and progress with rest. Whether you do the work yourself or bring in reinforcements, what matters is making space for connection, intention, and mango salsa. October is on the horizon, bringing cooler mornings and migrating birds of all types. It is the perfect time to use Florida-Friendly Landscaping tips to refresh the rest of your landscape and put it on cruise control all winter long.
Nickie Munroe is an environmental horticulture agent with the University of Florida’s IFAS Indian River County Extension.
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