September

• Seed or over seed new.

• Fertilize perennials and shrubs to help them make it through the winter.

• Scatter a 5-10-20 fertilizer on top of the ground above bulbs.

• Japanese Beetles lay eggs at about this time. Treat the lawn with beneficial nematodes that will control the grubs.

• Stop pruning shrubs.  Any new growth will be nipped by frost which is not good for the plant.

• If you haven't divided your herbaceous perennials, such as daylilies, irises, hostas and peonies, get it done. The soil is still nice and warm even if the temperature drops at night. It allows the roots time to settle in and establish themselves. This is what makes fall a good time to plant.

• Plant fall mums.

• Allow hips to form on roses. It tells the plant to harden off for winter.

• Water peonies and shrubs very heavily. It will have to last until spring.

• Divide peonies.

• Put all non-diseased plant debris in the compost bin. Add a bit of soil to help get the chemistry moving.

• If you haven't done a soil test, now is the time.

• Dig up gladiola, dahlia and tuberous begonia corms.

• Move or divide lily bulbs. The bulbs are "fleshy" so treat them gently. Replant them at the same depth as they were before and remember they like well drained, soft soil. If there are little bulbs present, separate them and plant them at about 3 times their height.

• Put poinsettias in a dark corner for at least 16 hours each day in order to set up their bracts to be colorful by Christmas time.

• Begin removing blossoms from tomato plants. This will tell the plant it's time to ripen up the tomatoes left on the vine, and stop putting out more.

• Start preparing indoor plants to come inside, being sure they are in before frost. Be sure they don't have insects hiding anywhere. You also want to clean off the pots.

• Amaryllis can come inside and go into a dark, cool corner.

• Take down hummingbird feeders at the end of the month, if you haven't already.

• Plant bulbs.