The following "reminder list" is based on a Zone 6a growing region, which is centrally located for the North American growing areas. For areas north of Zone 6a add roughly one week per zone for any times given. For areas south, subtract roughly one week per zone. Don't know your hardiness zone? Find it quick on our "Plant Hardiness Zone Map". Ahhhhh - September! The weather cools, rains begin anew, schools are open again and the gardens growing again with great gusto. This is the beginning of the second busiest time of the year for both gardeners and outdoor people alike - FALL! A whole new gardening and outdoor entertaining season begins this month and gardeners are reinvigorated from the hot, dry, sultry days of summer. Watering equipment starts getting a much deserved rest this month and utility bills start to go down before the winter heating season hits us all. Gardeners everywhere a given a second chance to catch up on their "to do" lists. Around The Garden Start paying attention to the weather the end of this month. Be prepared to cover tender plants when frost threatens. Start planting spring-flowering bulbs this month when the soil temperature nears or drops below 60 degrees F. Keep out a few to pot up for forcing this winter. Store these in a refrigerator until they start to sprout. When buying bulbs, "bigger is better". These bulbs are more mature, have more stored energy and a much greater chance of having fully developed stalk tissue inside. Add plenty of organic matter and some bulb fertilizer before planting. Try planting spring-flowering bulbs in semi-shady parts of your lawn for a natural woodland look next spring. Try taking handfuls of bulbs and giving them a toss over the area. Then proceed to plant each bulb where it landed with a bulb planter or bulb auger for a natural look. Transplant and divide most perennials. This is the best time to divide peonies. Be sure to have 3-5 eyes per division. Replant so eyes are no more than 2 inches deep. Replant annuals with frost tolerant plants such as pansies and flowering kale. Plant seeds of perennials now for replanting in the spring. Finish harvesting herbs such as sage and oregano by hanging bunches upside down in a warm dark space. Pot chives, oregano, basil or rosemary for winter use indoors. Continue harvesting vegetables to keep plants productive. Harvest fall crops of leafy vegetables, peas, etc. Pumpkins and winter squash are ready to harvest this month. Make sure they have hard rind before picking, otherwise storage may be compromised. Store in a warm, dry place out of the sun for a week to ten days before storing. Some root crops, such as carrots, onions, and parsnips can be left in the ground in cold climates and dug up as needed. Apply enough mulch (10 to 12 inches) to keep the ground from freezing, and the crop will be kept fresh until it is needed. Go through your beds thoroughly now to remove any remaining weeds. Many weeds will continue to grow all winter and will become quite large by spring and it will improve the look of your beds this winter. In areas not planted with fall crops, seed areas with winter rye, red clover, white Dutch clover, winter field peas or barley for a winter cover crop to be dug into the soil next spring and prevent winter erosion. As plant debris (non-diseased) is removed from the garden, chop or grind and add to the compost. Mix with manure, blood meal, nitrogen fertilizer and/or compost and soil to hasten decomposition. Dispose of diseased plant material into the trash or by burning. Take a soil test and add lime, gypsum or sulfur as needed to adjust the pH. Doing so now will allow you enough time to make further adjustments in late spring if needed. Do soil preparation for any new beds you want to have ready for spring planting. Add plenty of organic matter and dig deeply for a good root zone. Continue to save seeds of your best and favorite plants to replant next year. Only choose seeds from your biggest and best flowers, fruits and vegetables that are free of blemish, pest and disease. Gladiolus corms should be lifted once the foliage has died down or before the first hard freeze. Dry for 10 days in the sun if possible, then brush off the corms and store in a dark, frost-free and well-ventilated spot. Dig and store tender bulbs like dahlias, caladiums and callas after the first frost, but before the first hard freeze. Give the compost pile a good turn and wet it down as needed.
Around The Landscape Prune back wisteria and other vigorous climbers. Plum trees should be pruned right after harvest, to insure a bountiful crop next year. Plant mums into well-drained areas. Planting on a slight mound may help to provide proper drainage to get mums through the winter. Mark your perennials with permanent tags, or create a map showing their locations so you'll know where and what they are when they die back at the end of the season. This will help you to avoid digging up something you intended to keep when you plant bulbs and plants this fall and next spring. If you have not already done so, discontinue rose fertilization so they can harden off before winter. Lower your lawn mower back down to springtime settings and water as necessary. Apply fall fertilizer (5-10-10 or similar) to lawn grass. This is the most important one of the year for your lawn. Reseed bare or thin areas with improved cultivars. Consider renting a slit seeder to get seed down into soil of existing lawns. Reduce thatch if more than one half inch by using a power dethatcher or hand raking. Aerate the lawn with a core aerifier to improve soil permeability and reduce compaction. Establish turf by seed (best time). Prepare soil properly and get good seed into soil contact by rolling. Select turf mixes and blends appropriate to the site and to maintenance practices. September is the best month to lay sod on smoothed, well-drained, properly prepared soil. Apply a light application of 05-10-10 fertilizer to the soil before laying the sod to get it off to a good start and keep it constantly moist. Plant most trees and shrubs. Be sure not to plant too deep. Trunk flare should be visible after planting. Leave the root ball slightly higher than it was growing in the nursery. Consider adding trees and shrubs for fall color to your landscape. Red maple, viburnum and barberry are just a few examples. But there are many others that will work just as well. Check with your local nursery for what grows best in your area. Take advantage of end-of-season specials. Discontinue fertilizing all trees and shrubs so they can properly go into winter dormancy and avoid injury from freezing while still trying to grow actively. Add more fall color to your garden by planting late-blooming perennial flowers such as sedums, asters, mums, and ornamental grasses to enjoy up until a hard freeze. Continue your watering regimen as needed, but slowly decrease the frequency of watering as fall and winter dormancy grows near. Let the plant tell you when to decrease watering. When it starts to slow down its growth, start decreasing water. But still water deeply each time you water. Water trees and shrubs. Plants, especially evergreens, should be well hydrated entering winter. Avoid severe pruning now if possible. Wait until February or March for most trees and shrubs. Spring bloomers should be pruned right after bloom. Hand-pick bagworms from evergreens. Pesticide sprays are not effective at this time because worms are not active. Spray with Bt products next year mid-late June. Prepare soil now for a spring planting of blueberries or rhododendrons. A soil test will indicate how much sulfur to add to lower the pH to 4.8-5.2. Also add plenty of organic matter such as leaf compost. Lightly prune hedges as needed. September is a good month to dig, redesign, remodel and revamp beds so that plants are established by spring and ready to delight you next year. Make notes about garden changes or plants that you might want to move in the spring. If you grow heathers, prune them later this month. Continue keeping fallen fruits cleaned up to reduce the risk of disease and insect infestations. Some insects will overwinter in the fallen fruits. Dry hydrangeas and other flowers for winter enjoyment. Cut off any remaining old canes of blackberries and raspberries after fruiting and tie in the new shoots. As an alternative you can bury the tips of blackberry and raspberry canes (layering). They will develop roots next spring and the new plants can then be separated. Remove faded rose blooms by pruning back to a good bud lower down the stem. September is a good time to do landscaping projects, such as walls, walkways, patios, and decks because the weather is cooler and it is not yet freezing. Continue to watch for snails and slugs. They will remain active until cold weather drives them into hibernation.
On The Patio Start moving houseplants back in before the nighttime temperatures start dipping into the 50's. Before you move them indoors, spray the plants with an organic dormant oil spray and insecticidal soap to prevent bringing in critters that will multiply quickly in your warm home. Give all of your indoor plants a good shower before bringing indoors to remove dirt deposits on their leaves. Repot any plants that have outgrown their pots before bringing indoors. Once they're past their prime, empty containers of annuals and store frost-sensitive containers in the basement or the garage later this month. Save the soil in containers such as covered trash cans. It can be amended with slow-release fertilizer, compost and peat moss next year and reused to save you money next spring.
In The Shed Get bird feeders ready to hang the end of this month. While you're getting the feeders ready, make sure you have a good stock of various foods ready to serve. Your feathered visitors will be starting a long journey and will need a reliable food source. If you provide water and shelter as well, many will be enticed to stay the winter. Store your bird food in rodent proof, water tight containers. Get snow shovels and other snow and ice removal equipment ready for winters use now before you need it. Get snow throwers and other winter power equipment serviced and ready for winters use now before the winter rush. Make sure you have an adequate supply of ice-melting material ready before winter snows and ice hit. Get the cold frame or cloche ready to put into service. Install cloches at the first signs of cold weather to extend the growing season of many cool-season crops.
In The Home For yourself Back To Top
The information presented in a gardeners calendar is derived from many sources including practical experience of the writer. While we strive to present only fact5ual information, no guarantee is given, whether expressed or implied as to its completeness or accuracy. PO'Folks Ozark Mountain Enterprises accepts no responsibility for any damages resulting from the use of this material. As with all things, PO'Folks Ozark Mountain Enterprises urges all readers to exercise sound reasoning before applying any information they may obtain from any source. |
