Monthly Gardening Tasks – September September 1st, 2016

Tasks for September

• Irrigation controller seasonal adjustment should be set to 70%
• Fruit trees are bearing, so water frequently and deeply for plump fruit.
• Plant winter vegetables while the soil is still warm- broccoli, cauliflower, snow peas, cabbage, and beets, onions etc
• Prune all sap bleeders such as maple, walnut and large magnolias
• Apply pre-emergent weed control to prevent the most stubborn weeds of spring
• Best time to plant lawn- Sept 15-Oct 15. The soil is still warm enough to promote root growth and seed germination
• Feed acid loving plant with Azalea/Rhododendron food
• PERENNIALS. Plant perennials now so roots get established through late fall and winter
• CARE FOR ROSES To encourage a good flush of flowers in fall, give plants a shot of fertilizer now. Make sure the soil is moist before applying it; water well afterward. Also remove faded blooms and rose hips to encourage bud formation. If powdery mildew is starting to show up on leaves, or if spider mites are present, spray foliage with a nontoxic fungicide made from sulfur.
• Water in the early morning. Water the soil, not the leaves. Water deeply and occasionally rather than shallow and often.