Summer isn’t over yet. While Labor Day marks the end of the season for some, it technically doesn’t end until Sunday, September 22nd. There is still much to do including some vegetable planting! Read on to find out what you should put on your lawn and garden to-do list this month.
New England Nurseries’ Monthly Garden Guide: September
Lawn Care: One of the many benefits of working in a Garden Center is learning insider tips and tricks that you might not have otherwise come across when searching for answers online. One such tip I learned recently is that the fall is a great time to treat your lawn for weeds. I had been taught that you do this task in the spring, which you absolutely can continue to do if that is your practice. However, if you allow late summer weeds to overwinter, they may come back bigger and stronger in the spring. Best to take care of them now. But, know that you will want any weed control to be active for a month before you seed/overseed your lawn. Otherwise, the weed killer can inhibit the germination and growth of young grass.
Your other fall lawn tasks include aeration, overseeding, and fertilizing. Aeration reduces soil compaction, allows roots to breathe and grow stronger, and fertilizers will have a greater impact. When overseeding your lawn, you’ll want to choose a quality seed that can stand up to New England’s weather conditions. We recommend Jonathan Green Black Beauty seed as it roots deeply (up to 4 feet), is disease-resistant, drought tolerant, and contains Endophytes for natural insect resistance. We typically use a starter fertilizer at the time of seeding. We carry Greenview and Scott’s Starter Fertilizers. After your new grass has had time to germinate (around 4 – 6 weeks) it is time to add a more nutrient-rich fertilizer. We recommend Espoma or Greenview lawn care products. Lastly, when leaves begin dropping, be sure to remove them so they don’t smother your grass.
Pruning: Pruning in the fall should be done with care, as improper timing can lead to damage or reduced blooms for the following year. However, some shrubs and trees can be pruned in the fall. The following list includes some common shrubs and trees that can benefit from some fall pruning. Avoid heavy pruning for most trees and shrubs, as it can stimulate new growth that may not harden off before winter, leading to damage. The focus is on the removal of dead, diseased, or damaged branches, as well as crossing branches that may cause problems later.
· Hydrangeas (Hydrangea arborescens and Hydrangea paniculata): Prune these types of hydrangeas in the fall after they have finished blooming. Avoid pruning Hydrangea macrophylla (bigleaf hydrangea) in the fall, as it blooms on old wood. Not sure which variety of hydrangea you have? Email us an image of one of its blooms to info@newenglandnurseries.com and we’ll help you out.
· Roses (Rosa species): Prune hybrid tea roses and other repeat-blooming roses lightly in the fall, mainly to remove any dead or diseased wood. Save heavy pruning for early spring.
· Spirea (Spiraea japonica): Prune to remove dead or weak growth and shape the shrub.
· Potentilla (Potentilla fruticosa): Light pruning in the fall can help maintain the shape and remove dead or diseased branches.
· Summersweet (Clethra alnifolia): Prune lightly after flowering to remove spent blooms and thin out older growth.
· Maple (Acer species): Light pruning can be done in the fall to remove dead, damaged, or diseased branches, but heavy pruning should be done in late winter or early spring.
· Oak (Quercus species): If necessary, prune in late fall to reduce the risk of oak wilt disease, which can be transmitted by insects attracted to fresh wounds.
· Honey Locust (Gleditsia triacanthos): Prune to remove any suckers or watersprouts.
· Birch (Betula species): Like maples, light pruning can be done in the fall to remove dead or damaged branches.
· Sumac (Rhus species): Prune to maintain shape and remove any unwanted suckers.
If you have any questions about when to prune a specific tree or shrub that you purchased here, please feel free to contact us!
Garden Maintenance: You will want to harvest any remaining summer veggies like tomatoes, peppers, and squash. And, you can still plant cool-season crops like kale, spinach, and lettuce. These plants are both fast-growing and cold-tolerant. Divide and transplant spring and summer-blooming perennials.
Protect your shrubs and perennials from the cold of winter by adding a layer of mulch. Mulching will also help to conserve moisture and regulate soil temperature. Remove spent annuals and weeds from flower beds to prepare them for winter. Start planting spring-blooming bulbs like tulips, daffodils, and crocuses. And, trim back perennials after they have finished blooming.
Early fall is a good time to plant trees and shrubs. The cooler temps don’t stress the plants quite as much as transplanting in the heat of summer. And it gives them time to establish roots before winter.
Other important garden-related tasks for this month include cleaning and storing garden tools. A wise man once told me (many, many times – love you Gramps!) that if you take care of your tools, your tools will take care of you. So, make sure you clean, sharpen, prepare, and store your summer tools. Turn over your compost pile, and add leaves and garden debris. If you don’t have a compost pile, it’s never too late to start one! Keep an eye on the weather for the first frost dates of the season, and be ready to cover your tender plants.
Our Monthly Top 10
September is National Honey Month! So, let’s focus on bee and pollinator-loving plants that bloom thoughout this month.
New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae): Vibrant purple flowers, a favorite of bees and butterflies.
2. Goldenrod (Solidago spp.): Bright yellow flowers, highly attractive to bees and butterflies.
3. Joe-Pye Weed (Eutrochium purpureum): Tall plant with clusters of pinkish-purple flowers, a magnet for butterflies.
4. Sedum (Sedum spp.): Succulent with clusters of small, star-shaped flowers in pink, red, or white, popular with bees.
5. Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta): Bright yellow petals with a dark center, attracting bees and butterflies.
6. Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis): Striking red flowers, particularly attractive to hummingbirds.
7. Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea): Pinkish-purple flowers with a prominent cone, a favorite of bees and butterflies.
8. Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum spp.): Small, pale flowers with a strong minty fragrance, highly attractive to a wide range of pollinators.
9. Ironweed (Vernonia noveboracensis): Tall plant with deep purple flowers, popular with bees and butterflies.
10. Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum): White, fluffy flowers that bloom late in the season, attracting various pollinators.
Current Gardening Trends
With fall just around the corner, it’s a great time to start looking at fall containers. Fall containers are a great way to add interest and color to your porch or deck. Our staff is available to assist you in plant and pot selection for your own custom porch pot. To get started on this fun and unique DIY adventure, take a look at some guidelines below.
Consider the Weather: As you're planting late in the growing season, you can focus on short-term goals without worrying too much about long-term planning. Pay attention to which plants perform well as temperatures drop, and remove any struggling annuals.
Choose your Plants: Many fall plants can handle freezing temperatures, making cold-tolerant annuals or perennials great choices.
Consider using this formula:
A Thriller: A tall plant with eye-catching blooms or unique textures to stand out among other plants. This plant should be placed in the back, or middle, of the planter. Avoid the edges so you don’t block smaller plants.
A Filler: A medium-sized plant that complements or contrasts with the thriller, filling in around its base.
A Spiller: A trailing plant that cascades over the sides of the container, softening its edges. This could be a flowering plant or attractive foliage. Other excellent options include cabbage, kale, heather, and lantanas.
Group Containers: Arrange several containers with single plants to form a larger display. Grouping containers can also transform the look of a space, such as a deck, porch, or yard. Rearrange them as needed to showcase the best-looking plants as others fade.
Lastly, Incorporate Other Elements: Enhance your arrangements by adding plant material from your garden. For a cohesive look, consider limiting your color palette to shades like purple, burgundy, orange, and yellow.
Did You Know – Fun Plant Facts
This month we’re going to look a little deeper into what makes Sunflowers unique. The centers of sunflowers are made up of thousands of tiny flowers. Naturally, this makes them great pollinators. They are known for their Heliotropism, which means track the sun as it moves across the sky. They do this until they are mature, and then they face east permanently. There are 67 different species of sunflowers. They vary in height, endurance, flower shape, and color – including brown, red, and purple. Every part of a sunflower is edible, with the seeds being the most popular part of the plant. A single sunflower can produce up to 2,000 seeds. Sunflowers symbolize joy, happiness, and positivity; and can be used as gifts to express love, friendship, and general well wishes. Last fun fact: Sunflowers have been used to soak up nuclear radiation. Now that is one interesting plant!
Greenery or Gear: Monthly Plant or Tool Spotlight
It’s time to aerate your lawn! Aerating your lawn has many benefits including reducing soil compaction, improving air exchange, promoting stronger roots for a thicker lawn, and enhancing water and fertilizer uptake. We love these Terra Verde Spiked Shoes. They strap onto your existing shoes and have 24, 2” spikes!
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