September Landscaping Tips and Information
General
- The days are becoming shorter, have you considered adding low voltage lighting to extend your outdoor fall usage.
- Start your fall planting. Fall planting allows for more extensive root development prior to next summer’s drought. Cooler fall temperatures are an ideal time to plant.
- Think about adding some fall season colors such as Mums, Pansies, cabbage, or Kale.
- Weed beds as needed.
- Be mindful of dangers while using outdoor fire pits and fireplaces.
Flower & Vegetable Gardens
- “Tip” or “Pinch” dead flowers once they have finished blooming.
- Keep beds mulched to retain moisture. Add grass clippings to gardens.
- Cut back perennials showing signs that their season is over. 6-12” from the ground.
- Remove fading annual flowers.
- Add the fall color mentioned above.
Tree & Shrub Beds
- Continue your comprehensive tree and shrub care program, or start one. If not doing it yourself, please use a licensed professional.
- Touch up mulch in your planting beds as needed to control weeds and retain moisture.
- Monitor for insect damage. The late summer insects such as; Scale, Aphids, Spider mites, Japanese beetles and Bag worms are still active
- Make sure new plantings are hand watered.
- Feed your shrubs.
Lawns
- Continue mowing at about 3” high as needed. “ Grass-cycle”- leave the clippings for free fertilizer. * Mow shorter (2”) prior to any renovation and over seeding.
- Make sure that your mower blade is kept sharp.
- Water using best practices such as timing watering to limit evaporation and lawns remaining wet overnight.
- Perform fall renovation work such as; aeration, thatching, and over-seeding. Fall is the time to seed. Apply lime as needed along with a “ Starter” fertilizer.
Watering
- Monitor moisture levels at the plants roots, not on the surface.
- Water new plantings by hand as well as by an irrigation system.
- Water lawns, if no rain, in the amount of 1” per week.
- Water responsibly using best practices.
