It’s finally September and that means sweater weather and all things pumpkin spice. Yes, autumn is just around the corner but our green thumbs are still hard at work. Here are a few tips to show your lawn and garden some love.
Lawns
- Continue mowing your lawn as needed, keeping the height to 2.5-3 inches. In mid-October you will be able to gradually start decreasing your mowing height until you reach 2 inches for your last mow of the season.
- Continue watering your lawn to retain moisture through the entire root zone. Do not shut off your sprinklers until late in the season to ensure the root zone does not dry out.
- Fall is a great time to kill broadleaf weeds. Spray Fertilome Weed Free Zone to kill them off. This chemical can be applied with temps ranging from 45-80.
- Wait to apply Fertilome Winterizer fertilizer until October when the temperatures are lower.
Gardens
- Continue to harvest vegetables until completed.
- As plants finish, pull out annual plants and dispose. This will help reduce diseases next spring.
Perennials, Trees and Shrubs
- Some perennials such as Peonies, Iris and Lilies may be able to be cut back if their foliage has turned yellow/brown.
- Any shrubs that have stopped blooming can be trimmed. Keep in mind that spring bloomers will have their buds set and will be trimmed off.
- Remember to plant fall bulbs (bulbs that flower in the spring) this fall when temperature highs are in the sixties.
- After we receive a killing frost you can transplant and divide perennials. When dividing make sure each piece has an adequate root zone. Peonies and Iris can be done before a killing frost if foliage is beginning to dry down.
- This is a great time to be planting perennials, shrubs and trees! Warm soil temps and cool air temps is a perfect recipe for successful plantings. Remember to keep your new plantings well-watered.