• Northwest, and Northern
  California Gardens
• Southwest, Desert &
  Southern Cal Gardens
• Northeast, Midwest &
  Central Plains Gardens
• Southeast &
  Mid-Atlantic Gardens
• Rocky Moutains &
  California Mtn Gardens
• Tropical &
  Sub-Tropical Gardens

Gardening Tips for September

Southeast and Mid-Atlantic Gardens

• Plant in fall! 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.
• It's still not too late to plant a fall vegetable crop in early September. Choose cool-season plants like cabbage, kale, broccoli, mustard and collard greens, lettuce, spinach, radish, carrots, beets, cauliflower and kohlrabi.
• Watch out for unwanted plants - cool-season weeds will begin to sprout again soon. Manage weeds by either replenishing mulch layers, hoeing them out when seedlings are still small, or carefully spreading 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!
• Try fall-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.
• Rework or expand your perennial border by dividing summer-flowering perennial clumps that are now going to seed. (Don't touch the flowering asters, mums or ornamental grasses until early spring, though.)
• Put your pruning shears and hand pruners away for the year. Unless you see a dead branch, do not do any pruning, because any new sprouting growth that follows will be particularly tender to upcoming frosts. When you know when to prune, your garden will look its best!
• 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.
• 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.
• 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!)
• 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.
• While homegrown veggies are still fresh in your mind (and on your table), assess your vegetable garden for successes and failures. If you keep a garden journal (and you should), make notations on what worked and what didn't, so you'll be even more prepared next year. Remember, a picture's worth a thousand words - grab the camera and capture the good (and the bad) in your garden!

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.