As the temperature starts to cool down a bit in September, it is a great time to head out to enjoy the garden.
To help you keep up with all that is going on, we’ve put together a list of gardening tasks to do now with links for more information on each topic. If you have questions or need more information, please contact the N.C. Cooperative Extension–Transylvania County Center at 828.884.3109 or send us an email.
Fertilizing- Fertilize cool season lawns with one pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet. Cool season lawn information
- Apply lime according to the soil test report.
- Do NOT fertilize shrubs in August, September, October, or November.
Planting
- Plant pansies, mums, and ornamental kale for autumn color.
- Plant herbaceous perennials. Planting perennials and bulbs
- Plant container-grown trees and shrubs. Planting trees and shrubs
- Seed cool season lawns at the beginning of the month. Cool season lawn information
- Plant the following fall vegetable plants early this month: mustard greens, onions, and lettuce. A Beginner’s Guide to Vegetable Gardening
- Plant cover crops such as winter rye. Cover crops for home gardens
Pruning
- Do not prune shrubs in August, September, or October.
- Divide peonies late in the month.
Managing Pests and Diseases
- If not already done in August, spray trunks of peach, nectarine, cherry, and plum trees, including ornamental varieties the first week in September to prevent peach tree borers. Borers may be killed by inserting a wire into the hole, taking care not to damage the tree.
- Monitor for insects and if needed, spray the following fall vegetables for insects: broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower (worms), squash (borers). Vegetable pests control
- Continue to spray rose bushes. Fungus on roses
- Remove Japanese stiltgrass before it blooms and goes to seed. Controlling stiltgrass
Lawn CareLawn Information
- Core-aerate cool season lawn if needed.
- Seed cool-season grasses at the beginning of the month
- Keep newly seeded areas watered.
- Fertilize cool-season lawns.
- Apply lime if required.
Miscellaneous To Do
- Apply pre-emergent herbicides in garden beds in mid-September to control cool-season annuals such as chickweed and annual bluegrass Weed control
- Remove crop residue as garden harvest is complete and destroy if diseased or insects are present.
- Strawberry beds need one inch of water each week now for good flower bud development.
- Compost leaves and other garden refuse. Composting
- Order spring bulbs to be planted in October and November.
- Take soil samples. Soil samples
