Gardening in September is all about transitioning from the summer heat to cooler fall weather, making it a great time to plant leafy greens and fall flowers. With the milder temperatures, you can enjoy longer growing success while preparing their landscapes for the upcoming winter. Read on for more timely tips!

Plant Doctor Quips

Nick Macaluso, Plant Doctor at our Pyramid Way store, explains, “The cool weather in early fall means that it is a great time to reseed your lawn and/or lay sod down. If you are reseeding or laying down sod it is very important to till the soil before doing either. I would suggest tilling in the G&B Planting Mix and maybe even some humate. This will provide a nutrient and oxygen rich environment for the new grass to grow in. When laying down seed it is important to cover it with a thin layer of planting mix. This will help keep the seeds moist and also protect them from any pesky critter that is looking for an easy meal. After the seed has been sown or the sod is laid it is important to keep the area from drying out fully, watering daily may be necessary. It is also a good idea to apply a new lawn fertilizer to encourage strong root growth. It can be challenging to have a healthy lawn in the high desert, but starting with a good foundation is the key to success. As always if you have any questions about getting your lawn started come in and see us.”

Steve Packer, Plant Doctor at our S. Virginia store, explains, “That’s right – with cool fall air and soil still warm from summer heat, autumn is the perfect season to plant lawns, perennials, shrubs, and trees. Any planting you do now will have a head start next spring! Moana Nursery is fully stocked and ready to fulfill all your planting needs.”

Jeni Ware, Plant Doctor at our S. Virginia store, says, “Wanting some fresh color in your landscape? Now is the time for Chrysanthemums, Asters, and Ornamental Cabbage and Kale. These bright and beautiful plants bring that color pop we start to crave as we head into fall. We carry so many colors to choose from that the biggest challenge is only picking what you have room for. Remember, the mums and asters are perennial, so over the years they will fill out and get bushier for you. Mums can be tedious to prune, but well worth it when the hidden buds underneath are exposed to sunlight and give you another round of color.“

Bird Nerd, Annemarie Tillotson explains, “September is a great time to start offering Black Oil Sunflower, Bark Butter Bits, and Suet in hopes of attracting visiting winter birds. Chickadees will soon begin caching (hiding) Black Oil Sunflower to eat on chilly days, so be sure to have some on standby. Suet and Bark Butter will attract newly arrived Yellow-Rumped Warblers and Northern Flickers. Keep an eye on temperatures and prepare to swap to regular (not No-Melt) suet to be ready for this fall!“

September
Moana Nursery High Desert Gardening
Timely Tips

  • For trees and shrubs that are regularly affected by pests, plan on using a dormant season treatment as leaves begin to fall.
  • Treat chlorotic (washed out green/yellowish color) trees and shrubs with Hi-Yield Iron Plus Soil Acidifier. Perform a pH test or full soil analysis in chronic problem soils.
  • Do not fertilize trees and shrubs with fast acting fertilizer between September 1 and March 15th. If your landscape is nutrient deficient, consider mulching with G&B Organics Purely Compost or G&B Organics Soil Building Conditioner over a slow-release fertilizer like G&B Organics Paradise Fertilizer.
  • Continue to deadhead roses by cutting flowers back to the first set of five leaflets. Do not fertilize roses until next spring.
  • Apply Fertilome Tree & Shrub Drench to trees and shrubs to prevent early spring infestations of aphids and other troublesome insects.
    Perform a pH test or full soil analysis in chronic problem soils.
  • From late August through fall, it is natural for evergreens to drop their needles on the inside of the branches, closest to the trunk. However, if needles on the outer ends of branches begin to turn yellow, brown or drop, there is likely a problem that should be treated immediately. To determine the exact cause and treatment plan, visit one of our plant doctors.
  • Plant cool-season vegetables – lettuce, spinach, onions, garlic, and endive at two-week intervals to keep a supply coming into cooler weather.  If they bolt, remove seed heads.
  • Give your warm-season vegetables one final feeding with G&B Organics Tomato Vegetable and Herb Fertilizer now.
  • Continue to harvest warm-season vegetables as they ripen.  Warm season crops like peppers and tomatoes must be picked as soon as possible.  If an early frost threatens, cover these plants with DeWitt Frost Blankets.  
  • Begin to harvest late-season squash and early pumpkins.  
  • Allow collards, kale, and Brussels sprouts to be hit with frost before harvesting to improve their flavor.
  • Continue to harvest herbs to use fresh, dry, or freeze in small batches in an ice cube tray.  Pinch off developing flowers to retain essential oils and flavor in the plant’s foliage.
  • Gather your canning supplies and food dehydrator and start researching pickling recipes to prepare for your harvest.
  • Refresh flower beds and containers with cool-season favorites such as pansies, ornamental cabbage & kale, chrysanthemums, or fall-blooming asters.
  • Purchase spring blooming bulbs now for best selection, but don’t plant until later in October and November.
  • Allow certain dried flower heads to remain standing for fall and winter interest and a food source for birds; these include astilbe, coneflower and globe thistle.
  • Divide daylilies, peonies & iris.
  • Continue deadheading annuals and perennials to encourage more flowering.
  • Gather your canning supplies and food dehydrator and start researching pickling recipes to prepare for your harvest.
  • Put out Quail Blocks to feed those large recently hatched families of quail and other ground feeding birds.
  • Some hummingbirds will stay until October, if not longer, so continue to keep feeders full of nectar until then. (Hummingbird nectar: 4 parts water to 1-part granulated sugar – do not use honey, organic sugar or red dye). Be sure to change every few days to avoid spoilage. Consider adding Nectar Defender to extend the life of nectar in feeders.
  • Many birds continue their main molt (replacement of their feathers) which requires extra protein to grow strong feathers for proper flight and effective insulation. Proper nutrition for molting adults and developing juveniles can make or break a bird’s future success. Continue to offer high-protein and fat bird foods, such as Nyjer, Peanuts, Black Oil Sunflower, Sunflower Chips, Jim’s Birdacious Bark Butter® and Mealworms, to ensure they have a reliable source of protein to help them with this essential but energy-intensive task.
  • Add movement to birdbaths with water wigglers to attract more birds.
  • Continue to supply fresh water. To prevent the chance of disease, change the water daily during the hot weather and clean birdbath weekly with a weak bleach solution (1-part bleach to 9 parts water) and rinse well.
  • Store bird food in a sealed container and keep in a cool dry place to prevent spoilage.
  • To ensure that bird seed is eaten quickly and stays fresh, keep feeders filled with a one or two day supply of seed.
  • Install a customized Wild Birds Unlimited bird feeding station where you can easily watch the birds it attracts. It can be installed in the ground or on a deck.
  • Our Seasonal Color Team can help you with custom containers, annual planting beds or a simple refresh of your existing garden. Schedule a free consultation today!
  • Need help with your indoor plants? Contact our Interior Plant Services team. They can help you design, install, and maintain your indoor plants! Want a WOW plant presentation? Ask about installing a LIVING PLANT WALL! Examples of plant walls are available to see at both our Moana Lane and Pyramid Way locations.
  • Our expert Plant Doctors can help you with your high desert gardening;
    • Diagnose disease & insect problems on trees, shrubs & lawns;
    • Identify existing plants in your landscape and how to care for them;
    • Provide plant placement for DIY customers.
    • Stop by any location to ask questions or email plantdoctor@moananursery.com.