What to Do in September

On By durhammastergardenersIn Gardening calendar

Planting

  • September is a good time to set out landscape plants. Shop early to find the nicest shrubs.
  • When planting containerized plants, try to be certain to disturb or “open up” the plants’ root ball.
  • Set out new chrysanthemum plants this month.
  • Plant pansies to add color to your yard in the autumn, winter and spring months.
  • Groundcovers will become well established if planted now.
  • Transplant any evergreen trees or shrubs that need moving this month.
  • Plant the following fall vegetables in September: mustard, onion, radish and turnip.

Pruning

  • Do NOT prune shrubs in September or October..
  • Remove “weed” or unnecessary trees from your landscape.
  • Rootprune any trees or plants you plan to move next spring.

Spraying

  • Spray the following landscape shrubs for the following insect pests: arborvitae, hemlock and juniper(spider mites), azalea and pyracantha (lace bug) and euonymus (scale). .
  • Spray for peach tree borer on your nectarine and peach tree trunks.
  • Continue with rose spray program.
  • Keep a close eye on all fall vegetable plants. Insects and diseases are more severe in the autumn.
  • Control the following woody weeds by spraying the recommended herbicide: trumpet creeper, and blackberry.

Lawn Care

  • Tall fescue and bluegrass lawns should be seeded this month. Remember to mulch the newly seeded areas with wheat or barley straw. Keep watered.
  • Fertilize and lime your tall fescue lawns according to soil test results.
  • Do NOT fertilize zoysia now.
  • Homeowners can apply an insecticide for lawn grubs in early September if needed.

Propagation

  • Spring flowering bulbs can be divided and replanted this month. Daffodils will be the bulbs that most likely need this consideration.
  • Divide peonies.

Specific Chores

  • Clean up garden sprayers and lawn equipment if not in use.
  • Prepare house plants to reenter your home. Check them carefully for insect pests.
  • If you do not have a fall vegetable garden, it is a good time to chop, burn or discard dead vegetable plants.
  • Look for spring flowering bulbs to plant in October.
  • You can get last year’s poinsettia to flower by placing it in total uninterrupted darkness for 15 hours a day, starting the last week of the month and continuing until colored bracts appear. Give them plenty of sunlight during the day.

More information about fall lawn care is coming soon!

Calendar information from: http://catawba.ces.ncsu.edu/Garden%20Calendar%20September/