It ’s September – a magical time of year when the late good afternoon sunshine casts a golden glow over the entire landscape . The melodic phrase , though still warm , feel coolheaded following the dog day of summertime and the days are growing noticeably short . As temperature begin to cool down , it ’s clip to sweep into action to prepare the cosmetic garden for the changeover into fall .
Many annual , such as petunias , marigolds and zinnias , start to look leggy , floppy , or just plain stock by September . Begin your fall garden cleanupby removing spent annuals and compost them unless , of course , they are diseased , in which case , they should go straight into the trash .
Other annuals , such as begonias , coleus , geraniums and lantana , should still be going strong . To keep the flowered show going for as long as possible , protect tender plantssuch as these when night - time temperatures wrench chilly .
If you ’re thinking about digging up some of your annuals and bringing them indoors for the winter , do n’t do it ! They ’re not likely to survive the transition indoors . You ’ll have far salutary success if you takestem cuttingsand root them in weed . Give them a cheery smudge on a window sill or other desirable well - light place so that you’re able to delight them indoors this winter . Then , next bounce , you will be able to return the flora to the garden .
Do you loveearly - blooming yearbook , such as larkspur , sexual love - in - a - mist ( Nigella ) , snapdragon , and calendula ? These plants like nerveless uprise conditions . try on unmediated sow the seeds in the downslope rather than next springtime .
get toprepare your houseplantsfor the return indoors . Day - time temperatures may still feel hot to you , peculiarly during the first half of the month , but nights will be noticeably cooler . When night - fourth dimension temperatures begin to pass into the 50s , move house set indoors . To prepare for the changeover , move your sign of the zodiac plants to a shady spot about 2 weeks in advance so that they get used to lower light levels . Remember – you step by step acclimated your plant for their transition to the sunny alfresco this spring . Now you need to reverse the process .
Before you add those pot plant indoors , thoroughly scrutinise them for insects . Scale , white fly front , mealy bugs and fungus gnatsare just some of the beasties that may catch a drive indoors on your plant .
One last thought on business firm plant . Thoroughlywipe down all potted works containersto remove dirt , debris , spider webs , and insect bollock or larvae . audit the nates of container as well as the prat of saucers for insects that may be hiding there . Those are idealistic places for spiders to hide as well as cache their ballock casing .
Early fall is an ideal sentence todivide and transplant outpouring - blossom plants . Many perennials , such as daylilies , garden phlox , iris , and oriental poppies , should be fraction every three to four years . Pick a nerveless day for this job . As you divide plants and transpose them , irrigate them well and continue to keep them watered so that they become well established in the garden before the onrush of winter .
September or early October isthe ideal time to separate or move peoniesso that they become well establish before wintertime . Peony tubers are very fragile , so be particularly careful to keep the ancestor stack as integral as possible . Space the plants at least three feet apart . This is important : Plant the roots so that the buds are only about one to two inches below the soil surface . If you imbed them deeper , they will not flower .
Fall is traditionally the best time of year toplant new trees and shrubsin the landscape painting . To give those woody ornamental the best possible chance for winner , keep them well watered throughout the fall . Inadequate wet can emphasize the flora making it more susceptible to winter damage . Do n’t bank on rainfall alone to maintain adequate moisture levels . To help contain in moisture as well as moderate the grime temperature , spread a three - column inch level of mulch over the rootball surface area after it has been well water . Be thrifty not to stack mulch against the plant ’s base or trunk .
As you design ahead for next year ’s spring garden , expand your horizon and experimentation with bulbs other than daffodil and tulip . Invest in early - blooming bulbssuch as snowdrops , crocus , squill , overshadow too soon - blooming iris , winter aconite , narcissus , glorification - of - the - snow , and other easy - to - naturalize hardy incandescent lamp for planting this fall . A naturalised video display of blue grape hyacinths ( Muscari ) , for example , can be sensational in the early spring . As extra bonus for you to imbed these former bloomers , deer , field mouse , and other plaguey critters generally do not bother them .
Note for next season ’s garden : If you ’re not already doing this , try incorporating morenative plantsinto your late summer / former fall garden . strain Joe Pye Weed , goldenrod ( Solidago ) , aster , ironweed , and boltonia in sunny , well drained sites . All of these plants are butterfly magnets . For the shade garden , judge snakehead ( Chelone ) , timber aster ( Aster divaricatus ) , or primal flower ( Lobelia cardinalis ) .
