In September, the garden begins to wind down as cooler temperatures signal the end of summer, making it the perfect time to harvest late-season vegetables and prepare the soil for winter. It’s also a great month for planting fall crops and perennials, giving them a head start for a vibrant spring. Our expert tips will help you make the most of this month, so read on!

Plant Doctor Quips

Our South Virginia Plant Doctor, Steve Packer says, “One of my favorite veggies to grow is garlic. I plant mine in September/October and this is how I do it:  prepare the soil by adding Harvest Supreme and Bone Meal. Separate the cloves from the bulb and plant them  4 to 6 inches apart and 3 to 4 inches deep with the pointed ends up. I then cover the planted area with a thick layer of mulch to protect the garlic from weeds and cold temperatures. Then harvest the garlic when the tops begin to yellow and die back, usually in late spring or early summer.”

Our Moana Lane plant doctor, Jon Bruyn explains, “Cool season grasses, which are the grasses in our lawns, have a natural seasonal cycle: heavy growth in spring, followed by summer dormancy, and then a fall growth. We are now in the fall growth season and it’s a great time to do repairs such as over-seeding and encouraging a thicker turf. Many of us feel that the ”just add water” phrase is the cure, but fertilizer combined with how you water are likely the best methods. Think about encouraging deeper roots by forcing them to grow to the water. As the water slowly percolates deeper in the ground the roots will chase it. In the spring, consider the same methods to continue forming deep roots. The way this is accomplished is by watering less frequently, meaning less days, and adding a fertilizer formulated to encourage root growth (less nitrogen). The next summer your lawn will be green in our hundred degree temperatures, without disease because you will not need to water in the evening, and your whole yard will have less of an insect problem.”

Our Pyramid Way Plant Doctor, Nick Macaluso says, “With the summer heat behind us, remember to go back to your spring watering schedule. Most of us needed to add a day to our watering schedule to beat the heat, but the trees and shrubs won’t need the extra water in the fall. ”

Our Pyramid Way Plant Doctor, Jeni Lowery says, “Fall is the best time to plant! The trees, shrubs and perennials use their energy to build up their root system and get established vs using their resources for leaves, blooms or fruit. It’s a great time to come in and find your next lovely addition to your landscape, we are here to help you find the best fit for your yard.”

Bird Nerd, Lisa Braginton explains, “September is a great month for transitions, both for our landscapes and the birds and bird behaviors that we see. Resident birds may continue to molt but migrants that arrived this spring may be returning to their wintering grounds. Don’t miss out on opportunities to see and support lots of birds at your feeders! Offer a wide variety of foods and keep foods fresh. With the onset of shorter days and the potential for cooler nights as we go through the month, offering suet, Jim’s Birdacious Bark Butter®, peanuts, fruit, and nectar as well as a variety of loose seed and cylinders will maximize the number – and the health – of your winged visitors. Now is also a great time to prepare for the intensity of winter feeding; if you’re dealing with feeders that are difficult to fill and clean or don’t work for the food you want to feed, now is the perfect time for an upgrade!”

September
Moana Nursery High Desert Gardening
Timely Tips

  • Continue to deadhead – for trees and shrubs that are regularly affected by pests, plan on using a dormant season treatment as leaves begin to fall. 
  • Treat chlorotic (washed out green/yellowish color) trees and shrubs with Hi-Yield Iron Plus Soil Acidifier. Perform a pH test or full soil analysis in chronic problem soils
  • Do not fertilize trees and shrubs with fast acting fertilizer between September 1 and March 15th. If your landscape is nutrient deficient, consider mulching with G&B Organics Purely Compost or G&B Organics Soil Building Conditioner over a slow-release fertilizer like G&B Organics Paradise.
  • Continue to deadhead roses by cutting flowers back to the first set of five leaflets. Do not fertilize roses until next spring.
  • Apply Fertilome Tree & Shrub Insect Control to trees and shrubs to prevent early spring infestations of aphids and other troublesome insects.
  • Perform a pH test or full soil analysis in chronic problem soils.
  • From late August through fall, it is natural for evergreens to drop their needles on the inside of the branches, closest to the trunk. However, if needles on the outer ends of branches begin to turn yellow, brown or drop, there is likely a problem that should be treated immediately. To determine the exact cause and treatment plan, visit one of our plant doctors.
  • Refresh flower beds and containers with cool-season favorites such as pansies, ornamental cabbage & kale, chrysanthemums, or fall-blooming asters.
  • Purchase spring blooming bulbs now for best selection, but don’t plant until later in October and November.
  • Allow certain dried flower heads to remain standing for fall and winter interest and a food source for birds; these include astilbe, coneflower and globe thistle.
  • Divide daylilies, peonies & iris.
  • Continue deadheading annuals and perennials to encourage more flowering. 
  • Plant cool-season vegetables – lettuce, spinach, onions, garlic, and endive at two-week intervals to keep a supply coming into cooler weather. If they bolt, remove seed heads.
  • Give your warm-season vegetables one final feeding with G&B Organics Tomato Vegetable and Herb fertilizer now.
  • Continue to harvest warm-season vegetables as they ripen. Warm season crops like peppers and tomatoes must be picked as soon as possible. If an early frost threatens, cover these plants with DeWitt Frost Blankets.  
  • Begin to harvest late-season squash and early pumpkins.  
  • Allow collards, kale, and Brussels sprouts to be hit with frost before harvesting to improve their flavor.
  • Continue to harvest herbs to use fresh, dry, or freeze in small batches in an ice cube tray. Pinch off developing flowers to retain essential oils and flavor in the plant’s foliage.
  • Gather your canning supplies and food dehydrator and start researching pickling recipes to prepare for your harvest
  • Put out Quail Blocks to feed those large recently hatched families of quail and other ground feeding birds.
  • Some hummingbirds will stay until October, if not longer, so continue to keep feeders full of nectar until then. (Hummingbird nectar: 4 parts water to 1-part granulated sugar – do not use honey, organic sugar or red dye.) Be sure to change every few days to avoid spoilage. Consider adding Nectar Defender to extend the life of nectar in feeders.
  • Many birds continue their main molt (replacement of their feathers) which requires extra protein to grow strong feathers for proper flight and effective insulation. Proper nutrition for molting adults and developing juveniles can make or break a bird’s future success. Continue to offer high-protein and fat bird foods, such as nyjer, peanuts, black oil sunflower, sunflower chips, Jim’s Birdacious Bark Butter® and mealworms, to ensure they have a reliable source of protein to help them with this essential but energy-intensive task.
  • Add movement to birdbaths with water wigglers to attract more birds.
  • Continue to supply fresh water. To prevent the chance of disease, change the water daily during the hot weather and clean birdbath weekly with a weak bleach solution (1-part bleach to 9 parts water) and rinse well.
  • Store bird food in a sealed container and keep in a cool dry place to prevent spoilage.
  • To ensure that bird seed is eaten quickly and stays fresh, keep feeders filled with a one- or two-day supply of seed.
  • Install a customized Wild Birds Unlimited bird feeding station where you can easily watch the birds it attracts. It can be installed in the ground or on a deck.
  • Our Seasonal Color Team can help you with custom containers, annual planting beds or a simple refresh of your existing garden. Schedule a free consultation today! 
  • Need help with your indoor plants? Contact our Interior Plant Services team. They can help you design, install and maintain your indoor plants! Want a WOW plant presentation? Ask about installing a LIVING PLANT WALL! Examples of plant walls are available to see at both our Moana Lane and Pyramid Way locations.
  • Did you know that our plant doctors can help with the following:
    • Diagnose disease & insect problems on trees, shrubs & lawns
    • Identify existing plants in your landscape and how to care for them
    • Provide plant placement for DIY customers
    • Stop by any location to ask questions or email plantdoctors@moananursery.com.