Ten Tips for the September Gardener

1. Now is the time to de-thatch and aerate lawns to promote root growth if necessary.

2. Remove and compost spent annuals and fallen leaves.

3. If frost threatens, bring houseplants indoors. Keep in mind that Sept. 16- 22 is National Indoor Plant Week!

4. Pot up or propagate herbs to bring indoors for winter use.

5. Fall is a great time to plant trees and shrubs. The new plants will have several months to grow new roots and will be ready to grow early next spring. Consider adding some plants with great fall color.

6. Continue to turn and moisten compost piles to speed decomposition.

7. Plant peonies now, but make sure the crowns are buried only one and a half to two inches below ground level. Planting them deeper than two inches may keep them from blooming.

8. If pesky seedlings of woody plants, such as maple, elm or hackberry are found growing in your yard, remove them as soon as possible so they won’t take over gardens and other landscape plantings.

9. Wood ashes contain phosphorous, potassium and calcium and can be placed on vegetable gardens and flower beds. Keep in mind the pH of wood ashes is 11.0 and only add them to beds where the pH also needs to be raised.

10. September is a great time to seed or overseed lawns.