Let us give a quick recap of August. August began with beautiful rain, and the first week of August was pleasant and nearly autumn-like, with low temperatures. Then the usual scorching weather returned. In August, we experienced some really hot and humid days.
However, it is not this year. That’s the last week of August, and our earth has soaked. I don’t recall ever using “saturated” to describe August. We will gladly accept it! As we enter the first days of September, the last week of August has hot and dry.
Fall does not officially begin until Wednesday, September 22. However, like our weather forecasters on TV, the plant business considers the entire month of September to be the start of fall. Therefore, before you look for modern raised garden beds, let’s start!
Lawn Care
Lawn maintenance is at the top of my September to-do list. The SOD (September, October, and December) lawn care program begins in September. Now is the time to select a high-quality grass seed for your lawn and apply the first autumn application of a lawn starter fertilizer.
Once the seed and fertilizer have spread, the grass should water in the morning daily. This fresh grass seed will germinate in 7 to 10 days due to the warmth of the soil and the extra moisture.
Vegetable Gardening
Vegetable growing almost made it number one since it has lately become a fashionable trend among households. It’s time to start planning your fall food garden. Right now, you may grow lettuce, spinach, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, collards, Swiss chard, carrots, beets, and a variety of other vegetables. You should also buy raised garden beds which will be beneficial for your food garden.
All of these crops can withstand colder temps and soil temperatures. And they should yield late into the fall or early winter. Remember that you may grow veggies in pots on a sunny deck, balcony, or porch.
Divide Peonies
September is indeed an excellent month for moving and dividing peonies. Moving established peonies is a straightforward procedure. You have to cut the stems close to the ground, then gently dig around and beneath the plant.
Keep as much of the root system as feasible. Plant the peony in a sunny, well-drained spot. If you decide to divide your peony, make sure that each division contains at least three or four “eyes” (buds) and a large amount of the root system.
Remember that transplanted or divided peonies may not bloom well the first year. But they should come back in full blossom output by the second or third year.
Plant Spring-Birding Bulbs
Now, maybe the time to sow flower bulbs is for the next spring’s color. Daffodils, crocus, hyacinths, and various other bulbs can plant now. When growing, we recommend putting some ESPOMA BULB-TONE in the hole. As a precaution, you may buy tulip bulbs now while the selection is good.
But it would help if you waited until later in November when our soil temperature is colder to plant these tulip bulbs. The Big Fat Greenhouse takes pride in having one of the most extensive collections of bulbs in the area.
