September's garden to-do list

Gardening activity picks up in September, due to the change of seasons and cooler weather. Here is a list of things to do.

The first frost of fall is a major concern if you are growing tender greenery that suffers in the cold. Frost comes this month or next. The average date for frost in Lynchburg is Oct. 27.

It is time to make room indoors for any houseplants now growing outdoors on a porch, deck or carport. Most houseplants are tropical in nature, and they suffer when night temperatures dip below 60 degrees. This does not include geraniums.

The plant to stop watering is amaryllis. If forced into dormancy by dry, dark conditions, amaryllis bulbs will be ready to start the blooming process in early winter.

There are vegetables to harvest and plant in September. Okra, tomato, eggplant, bean, cucumber and other crops you planted months ago could still be yielding plenty of food for your table. Bell peppers are at their sweetest at this time of year as they turn yellow, orange and red.

The list of vegetables to plant features lettuce, spinach, arugula, radish, plus cooking greens such as kale, collard, mustard and turnip. Empty space in your garden can also be planted with a cover crop like winter rye.

Other September plantings include fall flowers, so visit local retailers for a selection of asters, pansies, violas, calendulas and chrysanthemums. For best results, plant these flowers when showing flower buds and before they are in full bloom.

Lawn planting season is now in full swing, and the seeding time continues until Oct. 15. Fertilize before seeding, using a low-nitrogen/high-phosphate starter fertilizer. Soil testing could identify a plentiful supply of phosphate already in your soil, and nitrogen may be all you need to add.

September is also a prime time to de-thatch, aerify, overseed and fertilize established lawns. Chickweed is taking root right now, so you could include weed control in your to-do list.

Timing is everything where lawn fertilization is concerned. The fescue, ryegrass and bluegrass lawns common in our area grow best if given their nitrogen in September and October. For top quality, you also fertilize in November.

Nitrogen put down on your lawn in fall builds up the root system. It has the opposite effect in spring.

Pruning is possible in September. Shrubbery and hedges can be clipped and sheared to remove excess growth. Branches may be cut out of trees.

Moderation is the key to pruning at summer’s end. It is better to trim them than to whack, because too much pruning could stimulate tender growth vulnerable to cold.

Insects are on the move this month and some of them may try to come indoors. Homes are particularly attractive to brown field crickets and the East Asian stinkbug. Keep your vacuum handy.

Don Davis is an Extension Agent for the Virginia Cooperative Extension. He can be reached by calling 455-3740.