Bert Swope
September is a great time to plan and start some gardening projects. Some ideas are to grow your own salad greens, plant spring flower bulbs, plant trees, and shrubs, and to prepare and mulch planting beds. Here is a printable checklist to help you get started. If you subscribe to our newsletter, you can also find more information and download it.
Grow your own salad greens
Fall is an excellent time to start your garden. The cooler weather is ideal for root crops and leafy greens. By growing your own salads, you can enjoy a healthier, more nutrient-rich salad. To grow your own lettuce, begin by planting the seeds about 1cm deep in a shallow row. Once the seeds have germinated, cover them lightly with soil or cover them with a cloche. Sow the seeds again every three to four weeks.
Salad greens grow best in moist, well-fertilized soil. You can add compost or organic fertilizer to your soil before planting the seeds. You can also water the plants with a liquid fertilizer once a week. Use a combination of organic and synthetic fertilizers to ensure a healthy crop.
You can also try growing different types of lettuce. Many varieties of lettuce germinate in soil that is as low as 40degF. They also grow well in containers. They’re nutrient-rich and versatile, making them a great addition to a salad garden.
Plant spring flower bulbs
The fall is the ideal time to plant spring flower bulbs. This will allow them to grow and set roots before the cold winter months arrive. However, this doesn’t always happen in the same place every year. Therefore, it is important to follow the planting schedule for different types of bulbs to ensure success.
Crocus: One of the earliest spring flowers, crocus grows from four to six inches and prefers well-drained soil. They also grow well in full or partial shade. In lawns, they add a touch of color and look good before mowing time. Other spring flowering bulbs include daffodils and snowdrops.
Amaryllis belladonna: In Orange County, September is a great month to dig and divide Amaryllis belladonna bulbs. Divide the bulbs after they finish blooming.
Plant trees and shrubs
September is a great time to plant trees and shrubs in your yard. The temperatures have cooled and the rain has returned, giving new plants ample time to establish roots before the first frost. September is also one of the best months to plant evergreen trees, which make excellent specimen plants and windbreaks. They prefer a sunny location with an acid pH and nutrient-rich soil.
After planting trees and shrubs, make sure to prune and deadhead them so new growth doesn’t become susceptible to frost. If you’ve already planted them, you can go ahead and divide them in September, allowing them to establish themselves over the next few months. Fertilizing your trees and shrubs in September can also encourage new growth, but be careful not to over-fertilize or you’ll risk early frost damage.
While you’re at it, plant a few perennials as well as some herbs and trees. In September, you’ll find that the days are shorter, and many of your favorite perennials begin to bloom. Chrysanthemums and asters are blooming in their fall colors. Also, you can plant herbs and perennials now to prepare for spring flowering bulbs.
Prep and mulch planting beds
To prepare your beds for the fall planting season, you must remove weeds. Weeds that are left unattended will sprout up in spring and overtake your garden. To prevent this, you can use a pre-emergent herbicide. This will stop any weed growth and prevent any early flowering seeds from sprouting.
The fall is also a good time to add compost to your garden. This will help the soil retain moisture and will also provide enough nutrients for the growing season. The right amount of compost will improve soil quickly. You can apply it to the soil while it is moist and work it in well to a depth of 12 inches.
In September, you can start planting perennials. Make a map of the area where you plan to place them to make sure you get them in the right place. If you’re planting any evergreens, you should also use transplant fertilizer.
Make late-summer show in pots
The end of summer can take a toll on your potted plants, but there are a few easy fixes that can rejuvenate them. In the Southeast, the summer heat can be oppressive, and rain and drought can leave your container plants droopy and worn-out. Here are some tips for rejuvenating your containers and making them look their best well into the fall.
First, look for plants that are good for shade. Hummingbirds prefer red, so choose pots with bright red flowers. Their long, skinny beaks help them suck nectar from these flowers. You can use Impatiens, Petunias, and other popular summer annuals to attract hummingbirds.
Plant more perennials
In the fall, it is time to start thinking about fall garden plans. While annuals are a great choice for late-season interest, it is also important to plant a variety of perennials to create a multi-season garden. The cooler weather in September is ideal for planting a wide variety of perennials.
Perennials, which flower for months, can be divided and replanted periodically. This will encourage new growth and blooms for the following year. A few perennials that are great for this purpose are agapanthus, daylily, rudbeckia, Shasta daisy, and yarrow. Make sure to remove spent blooms to encourage new blooms. Some flowers can even be dried and used in arrangements.
The shorter days in September will signal the arrival of fall blooms on perennial plants, like asters and chrysanthemums. It will also be a good time to amend soil, water plants, and remove fallen leaves.
Put Out bird feeders and birdbaths
Putting out bird feeders and birdbaths is a great way to attract more birds to your garden. It is also a great way to attract other wildlife. Not only will birds love your bird feeders and birdbath, but you’ll also attract other creatures like squirrels and raccoons. In addition to birds, you’ll be able to attract other animals to your garden by planting native plants that offer food, shelter, and water. Providing water for birds is as important as providing food. You can even install heated birdbaths in colder months to help keep birds healthy during the winter.
When putting out bird feeders and birdbaths, choose seed types that attract the species you want to attract. Goldfinches, for example, are attracted to golden safflower. You can also offer Nyjer mixes to attract these birds, which is great for feeding them all year round. You can also put out a heated birdbath to attract birds that don’t normally visit birdbaths. If you have a heated birdbath, make sure to clean it with white vinegar to prevent lime scale buildup. When selecting seed, choose seeds and mixes without shells, as these are easier for birds to consume and are less likely to cause a mess.
Overseed and Fertilize the lawn
Overseeding your lawn is a great way to improve the appearance of your lawn and it will help prevent diseases and weeds. It is also a great way to add nutrients to the soil. Overseeding requires proper preparation and timing. In order to ensure the success of your seeding, you should perform a soil test. This will help you determine if there are any deficiencies in nutrients. It will also allow you to decide whether you should add fertilizer or lime to your lawn.
Overseeding is best done in the late summer or early fall. It can help restore the health of drought-damaged lawns. The process consists of raking the lawn, applying fertilizer, and spreading grass seed over it. In addition, you need to provide sufficient moisture to the lawn in order for the grass seed to grow successfully. If you plan to fertilize your lawn frequently, be sure to space the application of fertilizer 7 to 10 days apart.
Fertilizing the lawn should also be performed during the month of September. Fertilizers are essential for the health of your lawn, especially if you plant tall fescues. Several research studies have shown that the best time to fertilize a lawn is early September. Fall fertilization will help your lawn grow faster in the spring, deepening the root system and making it more drought-resistant.