(Note: Some tasks from last month can carry over into this month due to the closeness in the season. If you have already performed any of these tasks, enjoy the feeling of having that task complete!)
LAWNS
- Apply step 3 Fertilome lawn fertilizer with weed preventer. Click here for a link to Evergreen’s 4 Step DIY lawncare program. (DO NOT apply if you will be overseeding with grass seed this fall. In that case, just apply your Fertilome Classic Lawn Food to prepare for the grass seed.)
- If possible, wait until October to sow grass seed.
TREES & SHRUBS
- Deadhead any faded and spent blooms on your Roses.
- Although trees and shrubs can be planted year round, Fall is the BEST time for planting.
GENERAL LANDSCAPE
- Early Fall is often the hottest and driest period in our area. Watch for the hot early days of September where plants tend to dry out frequently and make sure to water accordingly. (1-2 inches per week without rain)
VEGETABLE GARDENS
- Keep harvesting those summer veggies for plants that are still producing. Read more here.
- Remove spent summer vegetable crops to make room for fall vegetables and limit the amount of late fall cleanup.
- You can start fall crop seeds or directly plant transplants now. We have a great selection of seed and plants for you to choose from!
PERENNIALS
- Remove any faded blooms or stalks also known as “deadheading”. This helps prolong blooming and encourages more new blooms to appear while maintaining a neat appearance.
- Divide and replant Bearded Iris this month. After blooming, cut back foliage by 2/3, divide rhizomes (remove any dead rhizomes) and replant with 1/3 of the rhizome above soil level. Read more about Bearded Iris this month here.
FLOWER BEDS & CONTAINERS
- When watering Mums, don’t forget to water from the bottom or the inside middle of the pot. When Mums are watered directly overhead, the blooms get wet which causes them to fade out prematurely.
- Now that the weather is starting to cool down – you can plan and plant great choices such as Pansies, ornamental Cabbage/Kale, & more for a fresh burst of color.
- Pick herbs for fresh use and drying. Use dried lavender in satchels to freshen drawers and closets. (They also make great gifts!) It’s best to gather herbs mid-morning after the dew dries but before the mid-afternoon sun causes them to wilt.
- Keep hummingbird friendly plants on hand such as bee balm, trumpet vine, and salvia. They are in search of food as they migrate this month.
WATER GARDENS
- Adding new plants and fish are among those things often done in spring but can be done at any time of the year from Spring thru fall.
- Always keep some Dechlorinator “Pond Detox” on hand in the case of an accidental condition of overfilling with tap water. Often pond owners will add water to the water garden from their tap water source having chlorine and other metals present. Any time more than 20-25% of the pond’s water volume is added new, a dechlorinator product should be added to ensure that your fish are not killed. Chlorine in heavier volume will kill pond hard fish. Most pond owners have experienced accidentally leaving on a water hose too long to only find out that they don’t have a dechlorinating product on hand. We advise to always keep some on hand for when this may occur.
