THIRSTY PLANTS
Ample soil moisture is just as important in Sept. as it is in the Spring. Large evergreens and mature trees especially need to have
adequate moisture available to their roots. If nature is lacking you should help out by watering.
A weekly, slow, deep soaking is much better for your plants than a quick sprinkle with the garden hose. Beds and borders can be watered
using any of the available soaker hoses, that allow the water to seep slowly into the ground.
Healthy plants that have been watered and well cared for are better able to withstand the rigors of winter, than those that go into
cold weather "thirsty".
DO NOT FEED
Newly planted perennials, woody plants & evergreens should not be given fertilizer at planting time. The plants should
be concentrating on root development now and any fertilizers applied, might stimulate top growth instead.
Plants should not be encouraged to make new growth in the fall. Any new top growth that does grow is subject to winter kill, because it has not had a chance to harden off.
You can improve the soil without stimulating growth by adding peat moss and or well-rotted compost, as they
are soil improvers and will not stimulate growth.
SMALL BULBS
Snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis) are early spring-blooming bulbs that should be planted in September. Like the rest of the small bulbs, they are
the first to go into the ground, because they are the first to bloom. Late winter-early spring
They are abundant in bloom even with the minimum of care or neglect. Every three years, or whenever the clump seems crowded, lift and separate the bulbs.
A south facing slope is an ideal growing location for them.
Bulbs should be set about 3-4 inches deep, in ordinary garden soil. Although Sept. is the usual planting time, they can be divided in the garden after
flowering.
SEEDS OF CHANGE
The wind can carry seeds high above the earth, over rooftops and even into the center of cities. Some seeds can travel great distances merely by clinging to feathery parachutes
or winged sails, that the plant provides.
Milkweed, butterfly weed and dandelions will all cling to the end of a parachute tenaciously. Pine seeds sail on a flying saucer that wings it through the forest. Most plant fruits
break open in the fall to release these traveling seeds, providing them with free tickets in hopes that they land on fertile ground.
Nettles and thistle seeds are kinda lazy, they merely hook rides on dogs' ears, pants, socks, sweaters or anything that will aid them in moving from one spot to another.
PEONIES
September is a good month for lifting and dividing your peonies, or planting newly bought roots of them. If the roots are set out properly in well prepared soil, they will last for many years.
Choose a site for your bed that is open and sunny, and away from tree roots. The bed should be worked deeply and the soil should be improved with peat moss, compost and bonemeal.
Only plant strong divisions with 3-5 eyes on them. The roots should be spaced about 4 feet apart. When planting, make sure that the top is just under the soil surface, and no more that 2 inches deep.
SEPTEMBER WILDFLOWERS
| ....... |
Blue Aster
Black-eyed Susan
Cardinal Flower
Elecampane
Fleabane
Fringed Gentian
Golden-Rod
Iron-weed
|
..... |
Meadow Rue
Milkweed
New England Aster
Nightshade
Pokeweed
Pond lily
Turtle-head
Witch-hazel
|
.. |
