Cleanup and Maintenance

• • • Now is a great time to clear out new planting beds and apply compost (or leaves and grass clippings) to be ready for spring planting. Or to start talking to one of our designers to get you project planned for fall or spring installation.
    • Attack those weeds! Commercial herbicides are particularly effective this time of year, as weeds are storing up nutrients in their roots and quickly absorb the herbicide where it counts. We like Hi-Yield Killzall. READ THE LABEL BEFOPRE APPLYING

• • • Label your perennials and bulbs before they die back to the ground so you know what is where. We like to take photos with labels in case the labels get lost over the winter months.
    • Put out extra bird feeders to support migrating birds. Just be sure not to put the feeder somewhere where you dont want weeds coming up and PLEASE keep away from your ornamental ponds. Rodents love the seeds and we;ve seen many mice and rats nest in and amongst the stones where the rodents eventually destroy pond liners.

Pests

• • • Slugs are particularly active in September – apply slug bait, diatomaceous earth, or other slug-control products during this time.
    • In the fall, slugs lay clusters of eggs about the size of a small BB. Look under stones, boards, and around the edge of your lawn for these colorless eggs and destroy any you find.

Plan Ahead

• • • If you haven’t already ordered your fall bulbs, do so now! Hold off on planting them until after the first frost.
    • Simplify leaf clean-up by installing gutter guard, covering open drainpipes, sharpen mower, chipper and pruner blades, and tuning up or repairing lawn equipment.

• • • Stock up on your lawn disposal and work supplies such as clipping bags, weed eater string, gloves, dust masks, eye protection
    • Build a compost bin to collect fall leaves

Lawn

• • • The first half of September is prime lawn time! Take advantage of the season to ensure a strong, tough lawn in the future.
    • Stock up on grass seed and fertilizers for this fall and winter.

• • • Start with core aeration and dethatching, leaving about ½” of thatch to decompose.
    • If you are planting seed, or if your lawn is thin or weedy, sow seeds before mid-month. Let the new shoots grow through 2-3 mowings before applying regular-strength fertilizer or a “weed and feed” product.
    • Fertilize with a “3-1-2”  fertilizer to encourage top growth and winter hardiness. (Ratio: 21-7-14 has a ratio of 3-1-2. Both 10-20-10 and 5-10-5 have ratios of 1-2 -1.)
    • TROUBLESHOOTING you lawn
      • Keep checking for grubs.  Treat if necessary (if you find more than 5-7 grubs in a square foot of turf).  Best time for non-chemical control with beneficial nematodes; soil must be kept moist.
      • Keep checking for broadleaf and perennial weeds.  Use a liquid spot treatment September/October, but not if you’re overseeding or seeding.
      • Annual weeds may germinate again from seed.  Use a pre-emergent or, if actively growing, with a liquid spot treatment.   Don’t use a pre-emergent weed control if you’re overseeding or seeding.

Shrubs and Trees

• • • B&B and Container grown trees and shrubs can be planted now.
    • Remove any dead shrubs and trees.
    • Transplant trees and shrubs after the leaves begin to turn.
    • Clean up fallen fruit to deter pests and disease.
    • Address diseases now. Remove and destroy (do not compost) unhealthy leaves and branches after treating.
    • Remove spent blooms, but don’t do any heavy pruning that would encourage new growth which would be killed by the first frost.
    • Hold off on fertilizing trees and shrubs to allow them to harden before winter.

Annuals and Perennials

• • • Divide and/or transplant perennials, making sure to feed the roots with a good source of phosphorus.
    • Don’t disturb asters, chrysanthemums, Russian sage, ornamental grasses, or other plants that are of interest in the fall and winter.
    • September is the month to plant or transplant peonies.
    • Plant annuals such as ornamental cabbage, pansies, violas, and snapdragons.
    • After first frost in zones 7 and below, dig up and store tender bulbs such as caladium, canna, taro, elephant ear, dahlia, and tuberous begonia.

Lastly

• • • Shop Local, Shop Small.

By Dail Hong