Deep water plants in preparation for winter. Despite what it seems, plants continue to grow their roots even during the coldest winter.
15 Minute gardening – Write out a weekly plan of what needs to be done and divide into daily chores. Make a list of tools and supplies, adding what is needed to the shopping list. Having all supplies at hand, saves time and frustration.
Garden – While the soil is soft, pull weeds before they go to seed. Grab them at soil level and roll you hand away from the weed. It is easier and more root comes out than pulling straight up.
Pull dried daylily stems.
Pot up spring bulbs in soil to force for holiday bloom.
Layer daffodil, tulip and top with crocus and muscari.
Sow hardy annuals and transplant tender biennials.
Lawn – Remove thatch. Seed areas that need repair before mid- to late month. Check lawnmower blades for sharpness. The more turgid the leaf blades, the duller they will make the mower blades.
Trees – Select locations for fall tree planting in October. Consider power lines location.
Plant shrubs (mature size up to 10 feet) 10 feet from the power line. Magnolia soulangeana “Ann” is a small shrub that has bloomed all summer.
Small trees(mature size under 30 feet) plant at least 15 feet from power lines.
Medium trees (30-50 feet) plant 35 feet away
tall trees, at least 45 feet.
Prune crape myrtle whose flowers have gone to seed and cut suckers from the base of the tree. Wait to trim trees that have sent out new growth thinking it is mid-summer, until they go dormant. Pick of fallen fruit to avoiding tripping or creating projectiles when mowing.
Vegetable – Work organic matter into vacant spaces: compost, aged manure, rotted straw or chopped leaves. Work 10-10-10 granular fertilizer into the soil and plant leaf lettuce, radish, spinach and turnip greens until mid-month. Reduce growth of perennial herbs by not fertilizing, so that fertilizer forced new-growth is not killed by frost.
