September is when we all begin to feel like

LAWNS

• Apply step 3 Fertilome lawn fertilizer with weed preventer. Click here for a link to our DIY homeowner 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.
• If you prefer sod to grass seed, lay sod and water accordingly.
• Spot spray weeds that pop up when the weather cools with Fertilome’s Weed Free Zone which can be applied in cooler temperatures.

HOUSEPLANTS

• • Houseplants will want to come indoors later this month depending on temperatures. When temperatures begin to drop below 50 in the evenings, it’s time for them to come indoors.
  • Think about slowly transitioning houseplants getting more sun to areas with less sun each day as you prepare to transition them for winter
  • Apply Systemic Insect Granules to the soil and spray houseplants with an insecticide such as Neem Oil before bringing them indoors. Avoid direct sunlight for several days after spraying Neem Oil.

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)
• Purchase spring blooming flower bulbs now to have the best selection – but don’t plant until around November 1st. You can actually freeze them for about 6 weeks before planting!
• Spray around your home for pests that may try to overwinter indoors.

VEGETABLE GARDENS

• Keep harvesting those summer veggies for plants that are still producing.
• Remove spent summer vegetable crops to make room for fall vegetables and limit the amount of late fall cleanup.
• If any plants are diseased or bug ridden, burn them or bag and dispose of them. Never put plants or plant scraps that have signs of disease or pests in the compost pile.
• You can start fall crop seeds early this month or directly plant transplants at anytime of the month. We have a great selection of seed and plants for you to choose from!
• Harvest herbs to dry. Read more about storing herbs here.
• Mulch around strawberries later this month to help protect during winter.

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. Repeat blooming Daylily such as Stella d’ Oro often have dried bloom stalks that can be easily removed from the plant at this time.
• 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.

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.
• You can keep your summer flowers in the pot if you wish but you can also begin switching out faded plants for fresh fall annuals.
• 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.
• If you have houseplants outdoors, consider moving them closer to the house where they will get less sunlight to begin preparing them for the transition indoors.
• Divide Iris and Daylily.

WATER GARDENS

• Adding fish is often done in Spring & Summer but can be done at any time of the year from Spring thru Fall.
• Any time more than 20-25% of the pond’s water volume is added new, a dechlorinater product should be added to ensure that your fish are not killed. Heavy volumes of chlorine like present in tap water are toxic to fish. Always keep some Dechlorinater on hand.  Many 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. Questions about a particular plant or task? Just reach out to us at 423-245-4769, message us on social, or e-mail us at info@evergreenofch.com