GARDENERS SECOND CHANCE

            September is a second chance for gardeners to do all those things we didn’t get around to in the spring.  For an instant garden blast of color, fill your flowerbeds and empty spaces in your landscape with Chrysanthemums.  They come in a wide range of autumn colors from white, yellow and gold to bronze to maroon.  Lighter colors tend to bloom earlier than darker reds and purples.  So select different colors for a longer display of color.   Mums also work well as container plants to decorate patios, porches and decks.

Go easy on the water, however, to prevent root rot.  Potted mums do not do well inside the house, as lower light levels often result in yellowing leaves and droopy flowers.

     Flowering Cabbage and Kale also make nice fall plants to replace annual flowers.  Both will turn a beautiful color with the cold and will last until covered with snow.  Or try Fall Asters as they provide good color and many of them are hardy as well. 

       September is an excellent time to plant trees and shrubs.  If planted this month their roots will continue to grow into November, giving them plenty of time to get established before winter.  You might find some good clearance sales this time of year, but don’t let price dictate what you buy.  Leftovers at the end of the season can be just that.  Poor quality means they might require more help to survive.  Choose varieties that do well in your hardiness zone, as well as fit into the space you have available.  Allow ample room for growth as trees and shrubs mature. 

THINK SPRING       

It is time to think spring and plant those spring flowering bulbs.  The bulb package lists planting techniques but fails to suggest planting design.  I encourage mass plantings of one flower type.  The use of several dozen bulbs in one spot will produce a better effect than a mixture of many colors.  European gardens often contain several thousand bulbs of a single type to create a display that is impossible to describe.

Fall Watering: 

Remember the heat wave last fall that sent the plants into winter lacking enough moisture to survive? Many plants died and others were stressed and weakened. It is important to prepare plant for winter. Water newly planted tulips and other spring-flowering bulbs so they make roots before the soil freezes. If weather remains dry, water your bulb beds once a week,

It is also a good idea to water newly planted trees and shrubs every ten to fourteen days. Be careful, though, not to over-water if you have heavy, clay soil. Continue watering periodically. IF NECESSARY, until the soil freezes.  (Roots continue to grow as long as soil temperatures don't drop below forty degrees F.)

         Evergreens will come through winter in better shape if they're not moisture stressed. We used to think that just meant watering regularly in autumn, but it also involves watering in July and August whenever weather is hot and dry. Even though there's been plenty of rain this summer, it's a good idea to water these plants if we run into a dry spell in fall.

            Remember, the cooler it gets, the longer plants can go between watering. Every year some people lose newly transplanted trees and shrubs because they water them daily, thinking they are being helpful, when really they're just rotting the roots, especially in clay soils.

TOM’S TIMELY TIPS FOR SEPTEMBER

•           Seed a new lawn or renovate a poor quality one early in the month.

•           Continue to check for insect pests and treat accordingly.

•           Do not wait for frost warnings to move your plants indoors.  Temperatures of 45° F or lower can damage many tropical houseplants.

•           Prepare houseplants for return trip in-doors.  Scout for insects.  Thoroughly rinse leaves and container.

•           Begin two to three month dormancy for amaryllis.  Do not water.  Place in cool dark place.  Dormancy begins once leaves yellow.

Tom McNutt is a professor emeritus at The Ohio State University and a retired TV garden expert.