September in the Garden
Bring in houseplants. If you haven't started conditioning your poinsettias or Christmas cactus, do so now (ten hours of light and 14 hours of darkness each day). Poinsettias need temperatures of 65-70°, and the cactus needs to be 50-60°.
Plant spring-flowering bulbs the next three months. They should be planted about three times the diameter of the bulb. Amend the soil and don't forget to water.
Keep an eye on those pesky weeds. They are still growing, and some are going to be setting seed. When you think that a weed is capable of producing thousands of seeds, it makes getting rid of them early worth the effort versus a big battle for years to come.
Fall color doesn't have to be limited to the trees! Get some winter pansies, some asters or mums, or any plant that flowers now. Group them in pots or plant them where you want a spot of color.
Pick, can, freeze, dry--your vegetables should be ready. Remember, with a good mulch cover fall root crops should be able to winter in the ground for harvest as you need them later on.
Perennials can be started from seed this month. Simply scatter the seeds in a row or in open beds. You can transplant them in the spring.
Fall planting of trees and shrubs gives them a chance to settle in before the next growing season.
Keep watering!
Enjoy the migration of the Monarch butterflies when they stop and cover your trees by the dozens this fall.
For more detailed information on gardening and lawn care in your area, contact:
http://www.yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu or your county extension office
Iowa Master Gardener Program (Call us with your questions 10am to noon and 1-4:30pm, M-F--515-294-3108 or contact us via e-mail: hortline@iastate.edu
Your local garden center.
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