Tom’s Timely Tips For September

• Mow lawns regularly to keep grass at 2 1/2 “ height.

• Complete lawn restoration before September 15.

• 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.

• Plant peonies now, but make sure the crowns are buried only one a half
to two inches below ground level.  Planting them deeper than two inches
may keep them from blooming.

• Root cuttings from annual bedding plants such as begonias, coleus,
geraniums and impatiens.  These plants can be over-wintered in a sunny
window and provide plants for next year’s garden.

• Before the first frost, dig up caladiums.  Allow them to dry and store
them in a dry place for the winter.

• Perennial phlox can be divided about every third or fourth year.  Divide
big clumps of perennial phlox into thirds.  Early fall or early spring are
the best times to plant or transplant them.

• Prune rambler roses.

• Prune to remove any diseased and dead rose canes.

• Root prune wisteria that doesn’t bloom.

• Seed a new lawn or renovate a poor quality one early in the month.

• Fertilize established bluegrass lawns.  Use a slow release formulation.

• Pinch off tomato blossoms so plant will put energy into ripening
tomatoes.

• Fall is for planting.  In addition to lawns, it is a great time to plant trees,
shrubs an perennials.

• Purchase spring flowering bulbs.  Stagger blooming time of bulbs to
increase length of color in spring.  Shop early for best selection.

• Give houseplants a good cleaning prior to returning inside.

• Plant or transplant evergreens before the weather turns cool.

• Water when the soil is dry.

• Fill in old borders with hardy mums, kale, flowering cabbage or pansies.

• Pot up chives, parsley and other herbs to extend the growing season in
the house.

• Rake up leaves, twigs and fruit from crabapple trees and dispose of
them in the trash to help control apple scab disease.

• Wood ashes contain phosphorous, potassium and calcium.  It can be
placed on vegetable gardens and flower beds.

• Start a compost pile with fallen leaves and garden debris.

• Tree wound paints used after pruning are no longer recommended as
they can slow healing and may promote decay.

• Do not wait for frost warnings to move your plants indoors. Temperatures
of 45° F or lower can damage many tropical house plants.

• Collect seeds from perennials and annuals.

• Continue to cut flowers for drying:  yarrow, straw flower, 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.