A Master Gardener's Journal

Lawn Care:

Continue to mow the lawn until growth ceases for the year. As the season cools, some grasses (Kentucky bluegrass, tall fescue and perennial ryegrass) will actually grow faster, and more frequent mowing will be needed. If your lawn has already gone dormant due to drought, discontinue mowing. Unless you have a newly planted lawn, your lawn will need less water in the fall.

Fertilize your lawn in mid to late September to give it an early start for next spring.

Fall is an ideal time to establish a new lawn of the cool season grasses. This is also the best time to reseed bare spots in the lawn. Seed and water thoroughly, but infrequently (after grass has germinated) to encourage deep roots.

Keep weeds from forming seeds, remove seed heads promptly. Control winter annual or perennial weeds in the lawn by applying an appropriate herbicide if weeds are extensive.

Rose Care:

Do not deadhead or fertilize roses after Sept. 1st.

Prune only diseased or damaged canes. Other pruning should be done in the spring. Fall pruning increases the chance of winter drying and damage.

Order your roses for fall planting.

Herbs

Keep herbs producing new foliage by removing flowers and seedpods from basil, mint, parsley, sage and thyme.

Start potting up some chives, parsley, and other perennials for a kitchen winter garden.
Preserve herbs for winter use by freezing or drying them.

Tree and Shrub Maintenance

Prior to leaves dropping, prune all dead wood.

For an energy efficient landscape: place evergreens on the north and northwest sides to block winter winds. To block early morning sun, plant deciduous trees on the east, to block late afternoon sun, plant on the west. Do not plant on the south side: trees here would block cooling summer breezes.

When night temperatures are in the 40s and days are no longer warm, transplant trees and shrubs. Do not add fertilizer to the planting hole. It will stimulate late growth that could be damaged in winter.

If you are moving plants from one area of your garden to another, be certain that they are well watered for at least several weeks prior to moving. Plants that are drought stressed do not transplant well.

Now is a good time to move needle-leaved evergreens if they need to be moved to another area. Be sure to have a large enough rootball on each plant to sustain it.

Begin to decrease supplemental watering this month to allow woody plants time to prepare for winter. If it is a dry fall, you will need to water monthly through November.

Houseplant Maintenance

Clean up plants and prepare to bring them back indoors, before night temperatures fall below 55 degrees for the winter. Remove dead leaves and stems, as well as any soil on the outside of the pot. Check for insects prior to bringing plants back in.

Be sure to wash windows this fall so that houseplants placed nearby can have maximum sunlight over winter

Some herbs such as parsley or sage, can be dug up, potted, and used as houseplants.

Stop weekly feedings of Christmas cactus in September for re-bloom during the Christmas holidays. In October and November provide darkness for 15 hours a night in a cool place (50-60 degrees). Water plants about twice a month. Tip: Some have had success with leaving Christmas cactus outdoors for a few cool nights (around 40-50 degrees). The chill sets the buds, but they usually bloom before Christmas if you try this approach.

Do you have a gardening question? Call our Delaware County Master Gardeners hortline at 610-690-2671 on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 AM-12 NOON.

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