SEPTEMBER

Planning

- Complete ordering spring flowering bulbs and other plants for planting in autumn

- Continue to assess areas in the garden that may need additional planting

 

Chores and Maintenance

- If the season is dry continue to practice conservation-wise watering techniques

- De-thatch and aerate existing lawns to promote root growth

- Mow lawns regularly to keep grass at 2 1/2" height

- Complete lawn restoration before mid-September

- Collect seed for sowing next spring

- Remove and compost spent annuals and fallen leaves

- Continue to check for insect and disease- treat accordingly

- Continue to remove garden debris that can harbor insect pests and disease organisms

- Continue to apply deer repellent

- Begin to feed birds

 

Planting

- Plant and transplant broad-leaved and needle-leaved evergreens through mid-October

- Continue to propagate herbs from new growth and transplant into pots for use indoors

- Continue to divide and transplant early-blooming perennials

- Divide daylilies after flowering

- Plant lilies

- If weather is cool, begin planting spring-flowering bulbs but wait until late October to plant tulips

- Plant late-season annuals like ornamental kale and cabbage for fall color

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Pruning/Fertilizing

- Prune rambler roses

- Prune to remove any diseased and dead rose canes

- Add organic matter such as manure, compost and/or leaf mold to improve garden soils

- Fertilize lawns with organic fertilizer to stimulate winter root development

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Indoors

- Before frost threatens take houseplants indoors 

- Check houseplants for insects and treat as necessary before bringing inside the home

 

 

OCTOBER

Planning

- Assess areas in the garden that need additional planting

- Continue to use garden notes and photographs to plan for future plantings

- Prepare landscape sketches for next season

 

Chores and Maintenance

- If rain is lacking, continue to thoroughly water trees and shrubs, planting beds, and lawn areas, especially evergreens

- Compost fallen leaves and garden debris such as annuals and spent vegetable plants

- Continue to weed, weed, weed

- Lift and store tender bulbs, i.e., cannas, dahlias, and gladiolus after first frost

- Core aerate to reduce thatch on lawns

- Mow lawns to 1 1/2" height

- Keep bird feeders filled

 

Planting

- Complete planting and transplanting broad-leaved and needle-leaved evergreens before October 15, and water thoroughly

- Plant and transplant deciduous trees and shrubs after leaf fall between October 15 and December 1st

- Plant ornamental cabbage and kale

- Complete lifting and dividing iris, lily-of-the-valley, and daylilies

- Pot up herbs like parsley, chives, and rosemary to grow indoors

- Plant bare-root roses

- Continue to plant spring-flowering bulbs; begin planting tulips before month's end

- Pot up amaryllis, tulips, and other prepared bulbs and store in a cool, dark place until ready to force

 

Pruning/Fertilizing

- Complete pruning of rambler roses

- Fertilize deciduous and evergreen shrubs

- Fertilize lawn with 3-1-2 plant food

 

Indoors

- Bring in all houseplants before frost

- Hold off on fertilizing houseplants; resume in March

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NOVEMBER

Planning

- Have soil tested at a local cooperative extension service to determine pH and nutritional levels

 

Chores and Maintenance

- Continue to thoroughly water trees and shrubs, lawn areas, and planting beds until ground freezes

- Complete removal of fallen leaves and debris to protect from overwintering of insects and disease organisms

- Cut back perennials to 4 to 5", but leave ornamental grasses to provide winter interest until spring

- Mulch boxwood and broad-leaved evergreens before ground freezes

- Mulch flower beds to keep soil temperature stable and prevent winter injury from frost heaving

- Provide burlap windbreaks for boxwood and broad-leaved evergreens. Install stakes before ground freezes

- Protect trees from mouse damage with wire mesh trunk guards

- Protect shrubs from deer with burlap or netting

- Mow lawn one final time to a height of 1 1/2 to 2"

- Aerate soil around rose roots and hill up the earth 10 to 12" around the crown after a heavy frost

 

Planting

- Continue to plant deciduous trees and shrubs until the ground freezes

- Complete planting spring-flowering bulbs

- Pot hardy spring bulbs for indoor forcing

 

Pruning/Fertilizing

- Fertilize trees and shrubs before the ground freezes so that food is available to plants in early spring

- Incorporate lime and fertilizer in the annual and vegetable gardens for next growing season

- Complete pruning of late-blooming trees and shrubs

- Prune early spring-flowering shrubs only to remove diseased or damaged branches to preserve buds

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Indoors

- Give houseplants as much light as possible as lower light days begin

- Provide houseplants with increased humidity; mist often or place plants over a tray of moist pebbles

- Begin to increase the time between waterings but do not cut back on the amount of water

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DECEMBER

Chores and Maintenance

- After ground freezes, mulch perennial and bulb planting beds. The mulch will prevent heaving during the alternate freeze/thaw cycle

- Tie and support evergreen shrubs to avoid breakage from winter snow

- Continue to provide burlap windbreaks for boxwood and broad-leaved evergreens unitl ground freezes

- Complete protection of trees from rodent damage with wire mesh trunk guards

- Continue to protect shrubs from deer with burlap or netting

- Avoid the use of salt to melt snow as it is toxic to most plants. Use sawdust, sand, or cat litter

- Keep bird feeders filled throughout winter

 

Pruning/Fertilizing

- Prune evergreen branches to use for holiday decorating

- Continue to rejuvenate overgrown shrubs as weather permits, until new growth begins in spring