As late summer progresses into autumn and the days become noticeably shorter, you may be busy harvesting your fruits and vegetables or collecting seeds for next summer’s colours.
September is ideal for transplanting or planting new evergreens, shade trees, flowering shrubs and many perennials. It’s also the perfect time to brighten your outdoor landscape with gorgeous garden mums and colourful mixed planters.
Here are seven tips to keep in mind to make the most of your gardens and the remaining warmth during September:
- The time to fertilize trees and shrubs is now over. Fertilizing now will produce new tender growth that may not have time to harden off before frost.
- The time for pruning trees and shrubs is also over. Contrary to popular belief, there is no benefit to pruning any woody shrubs in the fall, and in many cases it could actually cause harm, for the following reasons:
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- some overwintering insects will exploit pruning cuts and infect plants for the following year
- pruning cuts that don’t have time to completely heal before the cold sets in can leave some plants more susceptible to disease and cold damage
- many flowering shrubs have already set flower buds for the next year – pruning now will remove them, resulting in fewer blooms next spring!
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- As the weather becomes cooler, it’s a great time to divide perennials. This is easiest when the ground is moist from a recent rain or thorough watering.
- Remember your hanging basket maintenance – a little deadheading, watering and feeding can keep them going until mid-autumn.
- Apply nematodes for grub control. We cannot stress this enough as a means to reduce the number of grubs and hence garden pests, such as the Japanese beetle, next summer.
- Mow your lawn less frequently, and raise the height of the cut as the growth rate of the grass slows down.
- Rejuvenate and add longevity to your garden and patio with colourful garden mums and fall planters.
Our experienced staff are happy to answer your gardening questions. Or explore our gardening knowledge base for additional information and tips.