September Gardening Activities - Region 3

Gardening Tips for September

Northeast, Midwest and Central Plains Gardens

Learn2Grow Region 3 Map

States in the region:

Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, New York, Massachusetts, Rhode Island
Connecticut, Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan
Wisconsin, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Iowa
South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana

Key Issues for September

  • Finally - the season is almost over for any last lingering chinch bugs in home lawns. As the weather cools, so will their appetites. If you've still got an infestation problem, carefully treat with a fast-acting recommended insecticide according to label directions.
  • Powdery mildew can be troublesome in the late summer garden. At this point in the growing season, it's too late to treat with a fungicide. Garden cleanup will be key this fall; all infected plants should be bagged and thrown away.
  • Get ready for grub season. These young beetle larvae aggressively feed on the roots of lawn grasses. Late summer through early fall is the ideal time to control large grub populations. (Note: It's when you see 10 or more grubs per square foot that you need to treat your lawn. As always, be sure to carefully read and follow all insecticide label directions for proper, safe use.)
  • Stay on the lookout for stinging insects! Bees, wasps and hornets still make their ugly presence known this time of the year.
  • Remember, there's more to fall blooms than just chrysanthemums. Looking for something a little unusual? Japanese anemone is a beautiful fall bloomer worth looking for. This easy-to-grow perennial features clusters of 2- to 3-inch-wide, pink or white flowers in late summer and early fall. The plant needs partial sun, well-drained soil and a little water during extended drought.
  • Continue to harvest your homegrown vegetables as they ripen. Store extra produce for future enjoyment, or donate it to a local soup kitchen or food pantry.
  • Prepare your outdoor-summering houseplants for their return indoors. Before you bring houseplants back inside, do a careful inspection of each one so you don't bring any unwanted multi-legged pests inside your home!
  • Create new interest in your perennial garden with ornamental grasses for fall. 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.
  • Retire your tired-looking, heat-exhausted summer plants to the compost pile (without any guilt). They've served you and your garden well, but now it's time to bring back the pizzazz with fall-loving beauties like pansies, ornamental cabbage, kale and snapdragons! These cool-weather annuals (and more) are naturals for fall-themed containers, as well as in landscape beds and borders.
  • Buy your bulbs early! Remember all those daffodils that you admired in your neighbor's garden this past spring? Experienced gardeners buy their spring-flowering bulbs - like daffodils, tulips, crocus and hyacinths - now for planting later in October and November. Avoid having a disappointing selection come planting time by buying what you want now, while the selection is good. Not sure how to pick the best bulbs? Select ones that are firm, not soft or mushy.
  • 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 start seeding a new lawn or repairing a damaged, established one.
  • Create some privacy for your property. After a long summer of open views to your neighbor's back yard, now could be the ideal time to create a privacy screen so you and your family can enjoy an isolated outdoor space. Try planting a few evergreens - 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!)
  • Resist the temptation to fertilize perennials, roses, trees and shrubs. Fertilizing these plants now will stimulate new growth that won't harden off before winter. (It's better to wait to fertilize them until they're completely dormant or until next spring.) On the flip side, do fertilize the lawn. (Always follow package directions.) After a long, stressful summer, cool-season grasses are beginning to enjoy the return of cooler weather, so give them a much needed boost.
  • 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 tender plants before that first frost hits.
  • Clean and prepare birdfeeders for the beginning of the long feeding season - from now until natural food becomes available to our feathered friends again late next spring!
  • Keep scouting for pests in the fall vegetable garden!
  • Come to The Garden Party and share your gardening adventures and ideas with other green thumbs in your region, as well as nationwide. Post pictures of your garden, write a blog, or ask expert gardeners for more help, tips or suggestions on how to enhance your outdoor living experience.