September in the Garden

Sweet, sweet September. The dog days have passed, leaving us the golden afternoons of Indian summer. Warm days and cool nights tell the garden to slow down and get ready for winter when dormancy is the hibernation of the plant world.

September can be a bittersweet month -- the garden has never looked better. The fall colors of chrysanthemums, marigolds, September clematis, asters, sedums and Montauk daisies compliment annuals and perennials in the borders.

For backyard homesteaders, the harvest is upon us with the fruits of our labors ready to be picked, preserved or “put up.” The summer vegetable garden has peaked; once overnight temperatures dip below the 70s, ripening will be markedly slow.  

There is still much to do, however, in this transitional time.

No more pruning or fertilizing. The purpose of pruning and fertilizing is to stimulate growth and at this time it is too close to the frost. New shoots would put plants at great risk for exposure to temperatures and conditions unfavorable for survival.

Bring vacationing houseplants indoors. Inspect plants for hitchhiking pests, treating them with a warm, soapy rinse or mild insecticide if necessary. Prune off any dead or dying branches or leaves. Lift plant out of its pot and make sure roots are not yellowing or wound tightly around the dirt. Prune off rotted roots and loosen slightly, re-potting with new soil in a larger pot.

Begin fall cleanup in garden beds. Cut back perennials that have finished blooming and remove anything that appears withered or diseased. Turn over compost.

Purchase row covers for tender plants to protect against a sudden or early frost. (These can be used in the spring on vegetable gardens as well.) There are several grades or weights to look for: A good row cover is made of lightweight spun bonded polyester or polypropylene. A row cover must be light enough to rest on top of the plants in order to provide protection against plants and pests while allowing water, light and fertilizer to pass through. The fabrics come in 0.5 oz – 2.0 oz per square yard. Light fabrics do not trap as much heat as heavier fabrics. Heavy fabrics are used in the evenings, giving 2-4 degrees of frost protection in spring and more in fall when the ground is warmer. Fabric can be doubled for especially heavy frosts.

All weights provide insect protection--be sure to make sure that plants are free from pests before installation as the added heat can make insects very happy campers. Secure fabrics with special pins or heavy objects allowing plenty of room for tallest plants such as eggplants and tomatoes. Do not stretch tightly.

Dig up tender bulbs such as dahlias, caladiums, cannas, tuberous begonias and gladiolas. Brush off dirt  and wrap in newspaper or pack in peat moss, storing in a cool dark place. Check periodically for desiccation and mold, tossing rotting bulbs in the compost. Order spring bulbs for October planting.

Now is the time to assess the successes and failures of the garden. Take pictures of where everything is now and make notes of areas for improvement. Take advantage of sales at local nurseries, making investments in specimen plants as accents. Plants trees and shrubs while the ground is warm enough to give roots time to become established before the ground freezes. Water new plantings generously, testing to make sure roots for wetness.

Make sure to harvest vegetables before the frost. Tomatoes will not fully ripen in temperatures consistently below the 70s; bring green tomatoes inside and place on a sunny windowsill, blossom side down. If you have a lot of them, wrap them in newspapers in up to two layers in a shallow box or crate or place a few in a bag with an apple.