September Gardening Activities – Region 4
Southeast and Mid-Atlantic Gardens
States in this region include: Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, DC, New Jersey, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, Louisiana, Texas (eastern), Arkansas, and Tennessee.
-
Remember, fall is for planting! Add a new planting of shrubs, trees, roses or perennials this month and next. Since fall rainfall can be rather low, remember to water newly planted species so their root balls don't dry out.
-
Plant seeds and seedlings of cool-season vegetables and annuals for a productive autumn garden - including seeds of radish, lettuce and beets, as well as seedlings of kale, snapdragons and violas. (This is the month to plant them!)
-
Try autumn-blooming bulbs - ones that are planted in the fall and bloom in the fall! Fall-flowering crocus (Crocus specious), autumn crocus (Colchicum) and autumn daffodil (Sternbergia lutea) can be planted in your garden this month.
-
Cool-season weeds will begin to sprout again soon. Either replenish mulch layers, hoe the weeds out when these seedlings are still tiny, or carefully spread pre-emergent herbicides now. But warning: Do not apply any pre-emergent in same areas where you'll be sowing vegetable, grass or flower seeds this fall!
-
Put your pruning shears and hand pruners away for the year. Unless you see a dead branch, do not do any pruning, since any new sprouting growth that follows will be particularly tender to upcoming frosts.
-
Rework or expand your perennial border now by dividing those summer-flowering perennial clumps that are now going to seed. (Don't touch the flowering asters, mums or ornamental grasses until early spring, though.)
-
Create new interest to the fall perennial garden with ornamental grasses. Color, texture and sound are a few of the wonderful attributes that grasses bring to the landscape. The show won't end in fall either - grasses continue their attraction during the gray winter months by adding color and winter respite for small wildlife.
-
Add new evergreens to your property, whether as screening or privacy or as an additional foundation planting around your home. The cooler temperatures of fall are ideal for these types of plants. Rhododendrons, hollies and yews (and more) should all be available at your local garden center for instant results. (Remember to always water all new plantings well!)
-
Prepare your outdoor-summering houseplants for their return indoors. Do a careful inspection of all plants before they come back into your home, so you don't bring any unwanted multi-legged pests indoors!
-
Tackle your less-than-desirable lawn. (The wait is over!) Cooler temperatures and the hopeful return of fall rains make this an ideal month to either start a new lawn or repair an established one.
-
While homegrown veggies are still fresh in your mind (and on your table), assess your vegetable garden for successes and failures. Keep a journal and make notations on what worked and what didn't, so you'll be even more prepared next year. And remember, a picture's worth a thousand words - grab the camera and capture the good (and the bad) in your garden!
-
Pay close attention to the weather forecasts for predictions of early frosts, and be prepared to adjust your gardening practices accordingly. The typical first frost of the season is an average date - it could be surprisingly earlier or even later. Don't get caught with your plants down! Harvest your remaining produce and protect your tender plants before that first frost hits.
-
Keep harvesting those veggies - and spread the joy! Share your bounty with friends, neighbors or a local soup kitchen, or keep enjoying those wonderful flavors throughout the year by storing and preserving the extras.
-
Come to The Garden Party and share your gardening adventures with other home gardeners around the country. Post pictures of your garden, write a blog, or ask expert green thumbs for more help, tips or suggestions on how to enhance your outdoor living experience.
|
|