Things to Do in September
- ESTABLISHED LAWNS - Fertilize around
mid-September. A
general recommendation to use is 10 lbs. of 10-10-10 per 1000
sf of lawn. (Helpful Hint: The three fescue-fertilizing
holidays are Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Valentine's Day.
- NEW OR RENOVATED LAWNS - Proper soil preparation,
seed
selection, and planting techniques now will pay dividends for
years to come. See Cool-Season Grasses.
- AUTUMN COLOR IDEAS - Ginkgo trees (Maidenhair
trees) are
becoming an important source of brilliant yellow color. Among
other good choices for foliage color from trees are: red maple,
southern sugar maple, Japanese maple, sourwood, crapemyrtle and
tulip poplar. Sasanqua camellias, coupled with autumn-flowering
chrysanthemums, contribute much to the colorful autumn scene. As
autumn merges into winter, you'll want to accent the landscape
with berry color from such plants as pyracantha, nandina,
viburnum, beautyberry, and many of the holly group. The ever-
popular shade-loving aucuba has a dwarf form which appears to be
more reliable regarding berry production. Don't forget the
brilliant red foliage of the burning bush (euonymus alata) or
rabbiteye blueberries.
- BULB PLANTING - If you are planning spring color
from
bulbs, now's the time to order for late October and November
plantings. For best landscape effect, plant groups of bulbs in
between shrubs, or scatter bulbs in wooded areas; avoid plant in
straight lines. Use a bulb fertilizer or use 10-10-10 at the
rate of 1 rounded teaspoon per sf, incorporated into the
rooting area.
- FRUIT TREES - Many well planned landscapes include
fruit
trees as seasonal accents to the front or side yard. A flowering
peach, apple, crabapple or cherry is every bit as showy as a
flowering dogwood in the spring.
- GARDEN COMPOST - Compost is nature's favorite
fertilizer
and soil conditioner. Recycle grass clippings, leaves, and non-
diseased garden refuse. Composting bins in a variety of sizes
are available at garden centers for small yards.
- C0NTROL WINTER WEEDS with a pre-emergent herbicide
applied
from September 1-15 on lawn and shrub plantings.
- OVERSEED WARM SEASON GRASSES with ryegrass in late
September.
- PELLETIZED LIME is formulated for surface
application. Do
not rototill into soil.
- PEACHTREE BORERS are serious pests of all members
of the
Prunus family: cherry, plum, peach, apricot, nectarine, cherry
and other laurels, and flowering varieties of fruit trees.
Timing is critical for control. Use Dursban or Thiodan in late
August/early September. Spray from the lowest set of branches
and thoroughly wet the trunk down to and around the soil line.
Repeat the application in early spring before fruits form.
- PREPARE PLANTS FOR DORMANCY - As day length
shortens and
temperatures begin to cool down, trees and shrubs prepare for the
winter. To permit the plant's internal processes to proceed
naturally, do not fertilize or prune, and gradually decrease
watering. Properly acclimated plants have a greater degree of
winter hardiness.
Last revised April 7, 1998
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