Landscaping Tips for the Month of September

Planning:

  • Complete ordering spring-flowering bulbs and other plants for fall planting
  • Continue to assess areas in the garden which may need additional planting
  • Continue to work on a landscape plan for fall planting of trees and shrubs
  • Continue to take garden notes and /or photographs to plan future plantings

Chores and Maintenance:

  • If rain is still lacking continue to practice water-wise horticultural techniques
  • De -thatch and aerate existing lawns to promote root growth
  • Mow lawns regularly to keep grass at 2in. height
  • Complete lawn restoration before September 15
  • Collect seed from perennials and annuals
  • Continue to cut flowers for drying: yarrow, strawflower, gomphrena, cockscomb, etc
  • Remove and compost spent annuals and fallen leaves
  • Continue to aerate and moisten compost pile to speed decomposition
  • Continue to check for insect pests and treat accordingly
  • Continue to remove any fallen leaves and debris which can harbor insect pests and disease organisms
  • Continue to apply deer repellent
  • Take in tender aquatic plants and tropical fish from ponds
  • Begin to feed birds

Planting:

  • Plant and transplant broad-leaved and needle-leaved evergreens through October 15
  • Continue to propagate herbs from new growth and transplant into pots for winter use
  • Continue to divide and transplant early-blooming perennials
  • Divide daylilies after flowering
  • Plant lilies
  • Sow hardy annuals in prepared planting beds
  • If weather is cool, begin planting spring- flowering bulbs but wait until late October to plant tulips
  • Plant late season annuals like ornamental kale and cabbage for fall color
  • Sow parsley, radish, lettuce, carrot and onion
  • Complete planting out seedling biennials

Pruning/Fertilizing:

  • Prune rambler roses
  • Prune to remove any diseased and dead rose canes
  • Root prune wisteria that doesn’t bloom
  • Add organic matter such as manure, compost and/or leaf mold to improve garden soils
  • Fertilize roses one last time
  • Fertilize lawns with organic fertilizer to stimulate winter root development

Indoors:

  • If frost threatens, take in houseplants and pinch back houseplants before returning them indoors
  • Check houseplants for insect pests and treat as necessary before bringing them in
  • Begin to force poinsettias for Christmas. Move indoors to a sunny location and cover for 14 hours each night for a period of 6-10 weeks
  • Take cuttings of begonias, geraniums, solenstemon (coleus), etc. to grow on as houseplants

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