Plants in Flower:

Crape Myrtle, Rose-of-Sharon, Sasanqua Camellia, Japonica Camellia, Dahlia, Canna, Ginger Lily, Chrysanthemum, Spider Lily, Fall Crocus, Liriope, Sedum and Summer Annuals.

What to Fertilize:

--None. See what's happening in lawn care.

What to Plant:

--Mid-September is a great time to set out landscape plants.
--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.

What to Prune:

--Do NOT prune shrubs in September, October or early November!
--Remove "weed" or unnecessary trees from your landscape.
--Rootprune any trees or plants you plan to move next spring.

Pest Outlook:

--Check the following landscape shrubs for the following insect pests: arborvitae, hemlock and juniper - spider mites, azalea and pyracantha - lacebug, and euonymus - scale.
--Crape myrtle leaves may be blackened from sooty mold. This is caused indirectly from aphid feeding on the foliage. Help loosen sooty mold by spraying the leaves with summer oil.
--Protect ornamental cherry trees, purple-leaf plums and cherry laurel plants with an insecticide that controls borers.
--Spray for peach tree borer on your plum, nectarine and peach tree trunks.
--Continue with weekly rose spray program.
--Spray red-tip photinia for leaf spot if needed.
-- 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, Bermudagrass(wiregrass), and blackberry.

Lawn Care:

--Tall fescue and bluegrass lawns should be seeded early this month. Remember to mulch the newly seeded areas with wheat straw to protect the young seedlings from drying out.
--Fertilize and lime your tall fescue-bluegrass lawns according to soil test results. This is the second feeding for the year.
--Do NOT fertilize warm season grasses like centipede grass, Bermudagrass and zoysia now.
--Homeowners can continue to apply an insecticide for lawn grubs in early September, if not done in August.

Propagation:

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

Specific Chores:

--Purchase apples produced at local orchards.
--Mulch your favorite landscape plants before winter arrives.
--Mark trees in the woods to be transplanted next March.
--Clean up garden sprayers and lawn equipment if not in use.
--Prepare houseplants to reenter your home. Bring them inside a little each day and rid them of any insect pests.
--If you do not have a fall vegetable garden, it is a good time to chop, burn or discard this summer's 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 through Thanksgiving. Do NOT leave in darkness all day!
--Order seasoned firewood for the winter.