September can often be one of our more pleasant and predictable months. I often think that if I was planning an outdoor garden activity, the month of September would probably be my first choice. The days are still warm, evenings are usually warm enough to eat outside on the deck, and the garden still looks great. It is the beginning of the time when we begin thinking about transforming the summer garden into the fall garden. I am always reluctant to make this change, especially early in the month when many summer flowers are still at their peak. This means that I wait until the end of the month, and if the weather cooperates, it may be October before I remove the summer annuals.
Roses
This past spring and summer has been a banner year for roses. The cool and wet spring delayed their normal bloom time by a couple of weeks, but once the weather became warm, it was like they exploded. There was lush growth that was soon followed by flower buds and then flowers, and it seemed like the multitude of flowers was more than usual. As I walk in my neighborhood, rose bushes have been beautiful. Keep the flowers cut and with warm weather continuing, so should the flowers. Always approach roses with a pair of gloves with a gauntlet and a pair of sharp hand pruners. The gloves will protect your arms from the rose thorns and having hand pruners allows you to do some light pruning if needed. By the end of the season, many rose bushes have become thick with foliage and canes and light pruning will allow better air circulation which can help keep the plant healthy.
BioAdvanced All-In-One Rose & Flower Concentrate
14 in stock in Pasco
Zenport, 1" Classic Pruner
10 in stock in Pasco
Felco, F8 Ergonomic Bypass Pruning Shear
4 in stock in Pasco
Bahco, Bypass Flower Pruner
Out of stock in Pasco Check nearby stores
Make Cuttings
This is the time to make cuttings of fuchsias and geraniums. Both plants are relatively easy to start from cuttings and if you have a favorite, start some cutting for planting outside next spring. Using a rooting hormone will help speed up the rooting process and perlite is a good medium to use.
Miracle-Gro Perlite Plant Food 8 qt.
4 in stock in Pasco
Therm-O-Rock, Supreme Coarse Perlite, 2 cu. ft.
2 in stock in Pasco
G&B Simples, Perlite, 8 qt.
5 in stock in Pasco
Potatoes
Potatoes in the garden will probably be ready to harvest. A good visual sign to look for is that when the tops die, it is time to harvest. Store potatoes in a dark location that is cool and dry.
Down to Earth, Premium Mycorrhizal & Bacterial Fertilizer, 25 lb
6 in stock in Pasco
Down to Earth, Bio-Live with Micor, 5 lb
12 in stock in Pasco
True Temper Potato Hook, 6.75 in., 54 in. Handle
3 in stock in Pasco
Tomatoes
In areas where there is a threat of a September frost, pick the tomatoes and bring indoors. Usually if there is some color showing on the fruit, they will ripen when placed in an area with natural light. Of course, there are recipes for using green tomatoes!
Bonide, Tomato & Vegetable 3 in 1 Spray, 32 oz
5 in stock in Pasco
Bonide, Ready-to-Use Tomato & Blossom Set Spray, 8 oz
6 in stock in Pasco
Norpro, 1951 Sauce Master
2 in stock in Pasco
Bonide, Rot-Stop Tomato Blossom End Rot Spray, 32 oz
6 in stock in Pasco
Cover Crops
As the vegetable garden finishes, consider planting a cover crop. This is usually a mixture of seeds of vetch, Austrian field peas, fava beans, and crimson clover. These plants are legumes and are often referred to as ‘nitrogen fixers’. Legumes have the ability to take nitrogen from the air and supply it to the soil which would then supply it to plants. Planting a cover crop over what was the vegetable garden is an excellent way to improve the soil. Not only will the spring garden have a source of nitrogen, but when the legume plants are worked into the soil, it is a source of beneficial organic matter.
Top Choice, Crimson Clover Seed, 2 lb.
17 in stock in Pasco
Stake Dahlias
Dahlias are at their prime in September and should be in full bloom. Keep the old flowers picked for continuous flowering. Often, tall growing dahlias with their large flowers, can be top heavy and plants will easily fall over in a slight wind. Secure the plants to a stake so you can continue to enjoy the flowers which usually last through October.
Bond, Redwood Tree Stakes
Out of stock in Pasco Check nearby stores
Rapiclip Plant Twist Tie, .04mm x 160-Ft.
Out of stock in Pasco Check nearby stores
Pre-Cut 8" Plant Twist Ties 100 Pk.
Out of stock in Pasco Check nearby stores
Bond, Twist Tie Spool, 160 ft.
Out of stock in Pasco Check nearby stores
As you walk through your September garden, make a note of what looks good and what could be improved. There are many choices and if a plant does not look like you think it should, some ‘editing’ might be in order. A garden is never ‘done’, and there are always some changes to be made. September is a good month to begin.
MIKE’S GARDEN IS LOCATED IN OREGON’S WILLAMETTE VALLEY AND HIS ADVICE IS CONSISTENT WITH THE MILD CLIMATE THERE.
We would love to see your garden growing, use #mywilcolife on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram and tag Wilco Stores.
