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September Lawn and Garden Care

We hope everyone had a nice Labor Day Weekend and got to enjoy their gardens. The weather is starting to cool to wonderful temperature for being outdoors and enjoying our landscapes.  While you are out there check out what you can prune, fertalize and plant.  Also, check out how to care for your lawn and the pests that may be harming your landscape! 

These pests may be feasting on your garden! 

  • Budworms
  • Spider mites
  • Aphids
  • Lace bugs tend to be a problem on photinia, toyon and baccharis.

How to treat: A mix of insecticidal soap and Orthene gives good control of lace bugs. Insecticidal soap can also be used to control the aphids and Spider Mites.  Repeat application may be needed for complete control.


plantWhat to Plant: It is time to get your winter annuals in which include:

  • Annual candy tuff
  • Bachelor button
  • Calendula
  • Chrysanthemum
  • Cyclamen

garden

  • Dianthus
  • Forget-me-not
  • Lobelia
  • Pansy
  • Poppy
  • Snapdragon

care

  • Stock
  • Viola

It’s also a good idea to divide and replant overgrown perennials like Asparagus, bergenia, coral bells, day lily, Shasta daisy and yarrow.

 

 

Fertilizing 

Apply a balanced fertilizer to newly planted annuals. Use a low nitrogen fertilizer on the rest of the landscape unless specific plants show signs of nitrogen deficiency (general yellowing of the older leaves). Note: Over watering can leach nutrients and reduce the plants ability to take up the nutrients that are in the soil. Since this is a common problem for our heavy clay soils, check soil to see if too much water is causing the problem. Apply little or no nitrogen to frost sensitive plants as it will only push new growth which will burn with the frost this winter.

It’s Time to Prune Shrubs and hedges! 

These should be trimmed lightly to maintain form, and keep pruning roses and crape myrtle’s lightly to maintain good air circulation as this helps reduce mildew problems and encourages fall blooming.

What to know about Lawns

lawn care

 Cool season turf varieties such as Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass and fescues are beginning to get a break from the Summer heat so their growth will begin to speed up a little even without fertilizer.  Apply a selective broadleaf weed killer as weeds are very vulnerable now. Consider aerating your lawn now if you did not do it this spring, or if your lawn gets lots of traffic and play.

As a Note

Late September and early October are the best times to renovate lawns and it is also the time to over seed warm season grasses that will soon be going dormant. The soil is warm and the days are often cool which is ideal for seed or sod-establishment.