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September
Activities
TREES AND SHRUBS:
~Gardenias
may be fertilized now, as can magnolias.
~Continue feeding ever-hungry roses on a regular interval.
~Don’t forget to water the trees deeply. Simply getting a drink from the
sprinkler won’t do. Put a soaker hose around under the canopy of a large
tree and barely run for several hours.
PERENNIALS:
~Chrysanthemums
should be fertilized (liquid manure or compost tea is a favorite) for
outstanding fall blooms. Every two weeks is sufficient until buds form,
then a diluted mix weekly afterwards during their bloom cycle.
~Prepare a wildflower area. Seeds will go in at the end of this month.
ANNUALS/VEGETABLES:
~Fall
gardens are often more productive than are spring gardens. Look for
varieties that specify their appropriateness for fall or have short
germination and production times.
~Peas make a beautiful, edible vine. Seeds can be directly sown at
mid-late September.
~Start seed now for next crop of lettuce. ‘Black Seeded Simpson’ is an
old favorite, but also consider trying some of the more exotic salad fare:
French sorrel (Rumix scutatus), mizuna Brassica juncea var.
japonica) known as Japanese greens, arugula (Eruca vesicaria).
~Pumpkin seeds should be started by August for a Jack-o-lantern, but many
nurseries offer young plants as well.
~Herbs grow well as container plants. Look for perennial ones such as
rosemary to bring fragrance and life to a sunny patio.
GENERAL:
~Watch for
brown patch in St. Augustine. Symptoms include a brown patch (duh!) and
easy separation of the blade from the runners or roots. It will not kill
St. Augustine, but may weaken it so that other problems can occur.
Treatment according to package directions with a fungicide such as Daconil
or Terraclor can curb damage or prevent if this is a recurring problem.
Organic gardeners might try garlic tea for this fungal disease.
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