HURRAH! SEPTEMBER IS FINALLY HERE
September is the beginning month of the FALL IS FOR PLANTING SEASON.
I want to share my thoughts on August. Yes, August was hot. Nothing too unusual. But the last week of August was lovely. Westend Richmond and Northern Chesterfield got a good soaking of rain, much needed as we get into September. Our surface soil is not dry and is ready for planting. Yes, September can be hot and dry but the weather tends to be a little cooler with more rainfall.
HERE ARE A FEW GARDENING TIPS FOR SEPTEMBER
PRUNING
As I review the SHRUB PRUNING CALENDAR, there are no shrubs you want to prune during September.
PLANTING PEONIES
Bare-root peonies are now here and ready for planting. Remember, the crowns are buried only one and a half to two inches below ground level. Deeper planting keeps the plants from blooming. On a side note with peonies—if you have existing peonies in your landscape, now is an excellent time to dig up the crowded crowns and divide.
LAWN CARE
September is the beginning month for the S.O.D. (September, October, & December) lawn care program. Now is an excellent time to find a good quality fescue seed and sow the seed over your existing turf. Also, this is when you want to apply your first application of a lawn starter fertilizer.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16 @ 10 am
FALL GARDENER’S FAIR
FREE SEMINAR
BEAUTIFUL LAWNS START HERE
Special Guest Speakers: Mike Pipkin of BFG & Steve Leyland of VPG / The ferti-loam people
Check out our website for more information
VEGETABLES
September is a great month to plant all your cool-season vegetables, such as lettuce, spinach, broccoli, kale, collards, and more.
PANSIES
Winter hardy pansies have arrived. It’s pansy season now. Pansies do great in adding color to container gardens.
BULBS
Our spring-blooming bulbs are here!!! September is an excellent month to plant daffodils, crocus, hyacinths, and other late winter/ early spring blooming bulbs. As for tulip bulbs—now is the time to buy, but hold off on planting your bulbs until closer to Thanksgiving after we have cooled down and our soil is cooler.
HOUSEPLANTS
Now is the time to start thinking about preparing your houseplants to come back inside. You want to do this before the outside temperature drops below 50 degrees.
VISIT US THIS SEPTEMBER
As you may sense, September presents some exciting times for gardening. I gave you a few tips for gardening activities for September. I could have gone on and on but I stopped myself. Please see us this month for all your gardening questions and needs.
PLANT A LITTLE HAPPINESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!