SEPTEMBER GARDEN "TO DO" LIST
GENERAL GARDEN CARE
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Time to plant trees and shrubs when they undergo color change.
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Avoid pruning at this time
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Control Poison Ivy before it goes dormant
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Dig and store summer flowering bulbs
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Save seeds from favorite self-pollinating non-hybrid flowers
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Begin Compost heap if you do not already have one!
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Continue to water trees and shrubs until ground freezes
ANNUAL AND PERENNIALS:
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Transplant and divide at this time.
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Best time to divide peonies, 3-5 eyes, plant no more than 2 inches deep
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Plant mums early so they have a chance to root and weather the winter
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Do not cut back perennials until they leaves and stems have lost green color
LAWN CARE
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Change mowing height to 2 inches
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Fertilize Early in the month….MOST important application of the year
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Reseed thin areas of lawn
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Core aerate
FRUIT, VEGETABLE, AND HERB CARE
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Continue harvesting to have productive plants
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Add compost to garden beds
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Seed bare garden areas with winter rye or barley for a winter cover crop.
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Fall crop of spinach and leafy veggies
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Harvest herbs and hang upside down to dry in dark space.
INDOOR GARDEN
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Start preparing houseplants for the return to indoors. Check insects, clean leaves and containers, sheltered area.
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Begin your 2-3 mo. Dormancy for amaryllis bulbs. Stash in a cool dark place NO watering.
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Pot your Rosemary basil oregano chives for indoor winter use.
HINTS:
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Swap out your container plants for frost tolerant mums, pansies and flowering kale.
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Use same soil and compost the disease free annuals. Time for a NEW LOOK!
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Water your trees and shrubs so they are hydrated for winter
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Average frost date is October 11-20
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Order your garlic bulbs for mid October planting
http://web.extension.illinois.edu/cfiv/homeowners/100909.html