September garden tips

Can you believe the summer is gone, the kids are back in school and it's September already? Where does the time go? Before you know it, Christmas will be knocking on the door.

As the summer winds down to fall, it is time to clean up the garden and plan for next spring.
*Water trees and shrubs less, allowing them to harden off before winter sets in.
*Stop fertilizing your trees and flowering shrubs to allow this years growth to harden off before winter.
*Fall is a good time to select and plant trees and shrubs. Fall planting encourages good root development, allowing the plants to get established before spring. If weather is dry, provide water up until the ground freezes.
*Keep the ground cleared of plant debris and compost them – fallen leaves, spent annuals (including your garden plants), the last cuttings of your flowers, etc.
*Harvesting fruits and vegetables is the best part of growing them. As is often the case, you may have produced much more of certain type than your family can consume. Share the abundance of squash and tomatoes (now how did I know that's what you planted too much of?!) with friends and neighbors, and don't forget about our local food bank.
*Once the tops of onions have withered, the bulbs should be lifted and dried in a warm, dry, sunny location for about 10 days. Then they should be stored in a cool, dark, dry place.
*Some root crops, such as carrots, onions, and parsnips can be left in the ground and dug up as needed. Apply enough mulch to keep the ground from freezing, and the crop will be kept fresh until it is needed.
*After you have finished harvesting your summer vegetables, plant a cover crop of clovers, cow peas, soybeans, or vetches for the purpose of tilling under next spring. These nitrogen producing plants will provide good organic matter and food for your garden crops next year, as well as helping to control weeds over the winter.
*September is one of the best months of the entire year for seeding or sodding new lawns, or seeding to fill in bare patches.
*Fertilize your lawn as the weather starts to cool off.
*Aerate your lawn.
*One last effort at weeding will help to improve the appearance of your garden throughout the winter.


Look forward to next month for planting bulbs!