September In the Garden
Summer has flown by, as I often find to be the case. For many of us, September is a bittersweet time. Summer is coming to an end, the hottest days are behind us, and it’s a time to settle back into routines. I always love summer for the heat, the outdoor activities, the natural inclination to do things with friends and family.
But around this time of year, I start thinking of cozy sweaters, fallen leaves, that first pot of homemade chili—if only our autumn season lasted longer than a few weeks.
September is a time of transition, of preparation, and of settling in for what’s ahead. In life and in the garden.
If your fruit and vegetables are continuing to produce, continue to encourage them as long as you can. Trim off dead or unnecessary branches, and remove produce that’s ready on the vine—tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers. If you haven’t already dug up your potato mounds, do so when at least half of the plant has died back. Check a near-surface potato, and if the skin is firm and doesn’t peel off against your thumb, the produce is ready to emerge.
Many fruit trees reach their ripest in September—it can feel a little like threading the needle to harvest ripe fruit before it begins falling to the ground. Avoid bruised or damaged fallen fruit, which can attract pests and disease. There are some local options for undamaged excess fruit, such as Crossmount’s Community Apple Drive, where they accept windfall apples larger than a golf ball for their Community Cider batch. You can also use bruised or rotting apples in compost for a nitrogen boost. Take a look around your area for other ways to utilize uneaten fruit and vegetables!
As we know here in Saskatchewan, September weather can be unpredictable. We may have weeks yet (or even into October), but watch the weather forecast for that first hard frost. Cover sensitive plants with a blanket or cloth on chilly nights.
Hardier crops like carrots, beets, and other root vegetables can survive a little longer, and they will take the extra time to grow sweeter.
Plant garlic bulbs in the ground four to six weeks before the first hard frost to give them a chance to grow roots before the cold sets in. Likewise, spring bulbs can go into the ground in early or mid September for spring blooming. Daffodils, tulips, crocuses, alliums, and hyacinth need to establish themselves and experience the winter cold.
Large bulbs need to be planted at a depth at least two to three times their height. Ensure your bulbs aren’t sitting in waterlogged soil, which can cause them to rot. Water thoroughly after planting, and add leaf mulch to the surface if in a windy spot.
Stop fertilizing your outdoor plants (they need to harden off for dormancy), but do mulch them! A good, thick layer of mulch (at least 4-6 cm) can make the difference between your perennials and shrubs surviving the winter or not. Especially if you’re growing delicate roses that aren’t meant for zone 3! Not only does mulching protect the surface from erosion, but it moderates water intake and evaporation, insulates the soil year-round, and inhibits root growth. Certain organic mulches even add nutrients to the soil when they break down.
Dividing your crowded perennials can also offer a number of benefits. Splitting dense plants can encourage air circulation and prevent rot, and allow for greater growth in the spring time. And who doesn’t like extra free plants?
Hostas, day lilies, irises, peonies, and ornamental grasses benefit from division. But plants with a main stalk like lupines or baby’s breath cannot be divided from their taproot. Fall is the ideal time to divide spring bloomers, because they will be going dormant and moving energy into the roots. Division and relocation can put the plant into a state of shock, so allow enough time for the plant to settle in and take root before the frost arrives.
Similarly, these coming weeks can be a good time to plant new, young trees or shrubs. Getting them into the ground now can give a young perennial time to establish roots and take in enough water to prepare for the winter ahead. When planting new plants in autumn, cool weather is better than overly hot. Just be sure to provide plenty of deep watering—and loosen up those roots well. Many young plants, by the time they reach your yard, have spent so long in their nursery pots that their roots are coiled into a tight ball. A gentle loosening allows a plant the best chance to get established.
Of course, this transitional period is also one of cleaning and organizing. Dig up those spent annuals (and the weeds along with them) to prevent pests and diseases from overwintering. Clean and store your garden tools, pots, hoses, and other equipment in a safe spot for the cold months ahead.
Consider leaving some of your spent perennials to allow for ground-burrowing bees and other critters to have a safe spot to tuck away for their winter. It will also provide pollinators with a much-needed source of food for the early weeks of spring before new plants are in bloom.
Trim any dead, cumbersome branches from your shrubs and trees, but not more than is necessary. Fresh cut points redirect the plant’s limited energy that it needs to prepare for winter, and can allow for the winter cold to sneak in.
We don’t always touch on indoor plants in this segment, but this time is also the beginning of dormancy for many houseplants. This means less frequent fertilizing and watering, and slower (or halted) growth. Check soil before watering to prevent root rot, and keep an eye on the leaves for signs of pests or disease. All houseplant families are a little different, but like their outdoor counterparts, indoor plants have a cyclical routine, and less sunlight means redirecting their energy. Some houseplants (especially those with variegated leaves) can benefit from a grow light during the winter.
And as always, stop in and visit Floral Acres! We have great sales on seasonal merchandise and decor, a wide range of autumn plants and planters, and a year-round supply of common and rare houseplants. We’re open every day from 10am-6pm, so make a trip down Valley Road a part of your autumn routine.
Until next time!