Early Fall Gardener's Checklist

What to Do In September

Fall is the best time to plant trees and shrubs.

Posted on August 31, 2013 by durhammastergardeners

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.
• Root prune any trees or plants you plan to move next spring.

Aerate your cool season grasses.

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.