SEPTEMBER TIPS: WEEKS ONE & TWO
Flowers
Divide perennials this month. Spring and summer blooming perennials are best divided in the fall; fall blooming perennials are best divided in the spring.
Leave spent coneflower blooms for the birds to glean.
Leave evergreen perennials such as Artemisia, lavender and Santolina, for spring pruning and shaping as the top foliage protects the crown of the plant through the winter. Trim back other perennials during fall garden clean-up.
A side-dressing of composted leaves applied after the soil cools will protect the plant crowns, and provide nutrients to the plants.
Retrieving tender bulbs:
Caladiums and begonias need to be lifted before the first killing frost.
Gladiolus need to be dug when the top leaves turn yellow.
Dahlia and Canna roots can be dug after the first heavy frost
Houseplants
Water indoor plants less frequently and discontinue fertilizer application toward the end of the month.
When bringing plants in after a summer outdoors, slowing place plant in areas of decreasing light to acclimate to its new setting, and drench the soil mass with water and insecticidal soap to flush out pill bugs and other critters that need to stay outside.
Vegetables
Plant fall radishes and spinach this week. Fall-planted spinach won't go to seed and the smaller plants will even survive a mild winter, becoming next year's first crop.
Lawn
Aerate turf areas on steep slopes or that have been compacted with heavy foot traffic especially vehicle traffic. Make several passes in several directions with core aerating machine creating spaces for root development, better air circulation and water and nutrient penetration.
Leave the cores / plugs of soil on the turf as a top dressing. These will break down over a few weeks and serve the development of the lawn by bringing nutrients from lower soil layers to the surface.
Landscape
Collect and destroy all leaves from apple and pear trees, including leaves from nearby trees, to control apple scab, pear scab and pear leaf spot. Good sanitation practices decrease chances of pathogens over wintering and developing even larger problems next season.
Prepare beds and plant plugs of ground cover up until Oct 15 for best root development before colder weather sets in. Water-in well and apply mild fertilizer high in phosphorus for best root development.
SEPTEMBER TIPS: WEEK THREE
Lawn
Inspect turf in shaded areas for presence of moss. Moss infestations may be associated with dense shade, poor air circulation and / or low fertility.
Limb up lower branches of trees and remove leaves from shaded turf areas to ensure light reaches the grass plants.
Vigorous, dense grass, which is mowed 2 ½-3" high, is the best prevention of weeds in the lawn. Sunlight cannot penetrate to the soil and thus germination won't occur.
Landscape
Remove and destroy all galls of cedar-apple rust from nearby cedars and junipers which persist from the spring to minimize the problem next season.
Space the two hosts of cedar-apple rust at least 100 feet apart in the landscaping to minimize the problem or avoid planting one of the hosts all together.
Fruits and Vegetables
Continue watering strawberries sufficiently after bearing fruit and through the fall to ensure bumper crop next year.
Collect and destroy all mummified fruit beneath trees and left hanging on tree limbs to control brown rot.
Rake and destroy old cherry leaves to control leaf spot.
Flowers
Purchase summer-blooming bulbs now, but wait to plant until mid October.
Transplant perennials this month that bloomed earlier in the season this month. . The soil is warm and roots can develop to hold the plants in place during winter freezing and thawing.
Avoid disturbing Heuchera in the fall since they establish root systems best if planted or transplanted in spring.
Fruits & Vegetables
Plant fall radishes and spinach in mid-month. Fall-planted spinach won't go to seed and the smaller plants will even survive a mild winter, becoming next year's first crop.
Continue watering strawberries sufficiently after bearing fruit and through the fall to ensure bumper crop next year.
Collect and destroy all mummified fruit beneath trees and left hanging on tree limbs to control brown rot.
Rake and destroy old cherry leaves to control leaf spot.
Root prune tomatoes to speed up ripening process before frost by inserting the spade 6 inches from the stalk.
Eco-Tip
Identify poisonous sumac by its drooping, white berries. The poisonous type usually is found in wet soils. Non-poisonous varieties have red berries and grow in drier settings
SEPTEMBER TIPS: WEEK FOUR
Landscape
Leave plumes of most ornamental grasses to provide winter interest and seeds for birds.
Trim plumes of Pennesetum 'Moudry' (Black Fountain Grass) and other grasses that generously self seed to prevent unwanted seedlings in garden beds.
Remove leaves from lawns. Shred leaves and add to compost use for mulch in garden beds.
Deep water all shrubs and trees through fall before winter weather sets in.
House plants
Reduce watering of Amaryllis for 3 weeks in late summer and before frost. Then discontinue watering and allow resting for 2-3 months in a cool, dry, well ventilated place.
Vegetables
Plant parsley and cool-season salad greens, preferably in cold frames for protection from temperature extremes.
Cover fall-planted crops in the cabbage family with floating row cover to prevent looper and cabbage worm damage.
Mulch heat-loving crops such as peppers and eggplant and cover with floating row covers to prolong production.
Enrich garden soil with a layer of compost or by planting a cover crop such as alfalfa or annual rye.
Fruits
Prune out spent bramble canes after fruiting has finished.
Gently bend raspberry canes to the ground and pin/secure in place to encourage rooting by layering.
Houseplants
Examine plants for insect populations. For spider mite problems, take plant outside and spray all foliage with strong stream of water. If pest persists, treat with ryania or insecticidal soap concentrate diluted with half water and half denatured alcohol. Make sure solution reaches underside of all leaves and leaf / stem notches. Repeat every 5-7 days until all eggs hatch.
Water indoor plants less frequently and discontinue organic fertilizer application toward the end of the month.
Reduce watering of amaryllis for 3 weeks in late summer and before frost. Then discontinue watering and allow resting for 2-3 months in a cool, dry, well ventilated place.
Pest Patrol
Handpick any bagworms found hanging like small tree ornaments from twigs and branches and drop in hot soapy water to kill the worm inside.
Eco -Tip
Identify poisonous sumac by its drooping, white berries. The poisonous type usually is found in wet soils. Non-poisonous varieties have red berries and grow in drier settings.
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