This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

SEPTEMBER GARDEN TASKS

There still is plenty of time to enjoy your garden in the next couple of months!

September and October are great months to re-envision your garden.  Is there a section of your garden that seems bare?  Or is there a plant that has never really performed well?  Now is your last chance before winter to add in a few plants.  The days are shorter and less water is required to keep plants hydrated.  Also the rainy season is around the corner - hopefully!  

  • Fertilize citrus  Last month to do so.

Find out what's happening in San Leandrowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

  • Fertilize roses for a fall flush of blooms.

  • Plant spring bulbs  

  • Find out what's happening in San Leandrowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

  • Plant fall-blooming perennials like aster, chrysanthemum and salvia.

  • Plant winter-blooming annual and perennials like violets and primroses.  A month or two of warm weather will set them up properly for winter bloom.  Don’t forget the slug bait!

  • Plant groundcovers, shrubs, trees  Fall is a great time to plant for maximum spring growth and bloom.

  • Prune back plants that have gone leggy like Geranium, Hydrangea and Pelargonium.

  • Prune back evergreen shrubs for shape before cold weather sets in.  I like to do it now versus next month so the plants have time to grow back a bit and look natural during the winter months.

  • Remove under-performing plants or plants that are past their prime  Lavenders and wallflowers are good examples...they look good for a few years but should be replaced once they get too woody or out of shape.  

  • Water  Especially citrus, evergreen flowering shrubs and new trees  Citrus needs water for fruit production and camellias need water for setting buds.

  • Divide plants like Agapanthus, dayliliy, iris, Penstemon and shasta daisies  Pull up plant with shovel or pitchfork, ease roots or bulbs apart.  Replant and keep moist.  Share extras with neighbors.

  • Prevent ants  If you have a plant that ants like to crawl up and use to harvest their scale try Tanglefoot Insect Barrier on the trunk...its a chemical-free goo that stops the crawlers.

  • Remove spent blossoms on all flowering plants.  

  • Spray down plants to remove dust and spider mites.

  • Vegetable and Fruit Garden

    • Sow cool-season crops like beets, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, kale, lettuce, radishes and spinach.  Work in soil amendment, sow seeds and keep soil moist by gently showering them with water (not an open hose!)

    • Continue to harvest!  Pick all fruit and vegetables that are ready.  Clean up decaying matter off ground.  It’s good to have a clean environment around all plants to prevent insects and disease.   



    Read more of Angele's gardening and landscaping tips in the Patch Archives.


    We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

    The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?