Late Summer Gardening Hints (September)

• Continue to water your lawn and gardens weekly with about 1” of water, unless it has rained. Then adjust your watering. If your soil is heavy clay, water less frequently; if your soil is sandy, twice each week is good. If you have an automatic sprinkling system, use a rain gauge to determine the amount of water. Water early in the day to help prevent foliar diseases such as powdery mildew and foliar blight.          
• September is the prime time to divide your iris and peonies and an excellent time to add to your perennial garden. When planting, mix-in a small amount of ‘bone meal’ or ‘bulb food’ to encourage good root development. Water well. Continue to water your gardens during September.
• Late Summer is an excellent time for lawn repair. Rake, or manually scruff up the soil before you drop seed so it has soft, receptive soil in which to develop a good root system  Grass seed that’s planted by the middle of September will develop a strong root system before the upcoming winter. A plus to seeding at this time of the year is that you won’t find weed seeds sprouting along with the grass.
• Fertilize using a high nitrogen lawn food which helps develop strong roots and runners. Grass that’s fertilized in fall will come back thicker & greener next spring.
• Fall is an excellent time to add trees & shrubs to your landscape. The cooler temperatures reduce stress and moisture demands on the roots. Trees are starting the slowdown process for winter, continue to supply 1” of water to all of your trees and shrubs. Lack of water interferes with hardening-off for winter and can result in winter injury.
• September generally brings our FIRST FROST of the season.  If frost threatens, cover vegetables that are not ready for harvest, pot up plants & herbs you want to bring indoors.
• Tropical plants that have flourished in the heat of summer don’t like the cool fall evenings. Begin moving indoors when the temps reach 50 degrees or cooler.    Important: before bringing indoors, hose off and spray with an insecticide such as  ‘Safer Soap’. Repeat the application in 2 weeks to insure you’ve gotten all bugs. Continue to monitor for insects all winter.
• Planning a landscape project? Call us @ 320-363-7375 for a free landscape design kit. Our designer will create with you a beautiful and unique plan, taking into account your specific location, soil conditions and plants that you want to have included.
• Don’t forget Thomsen’s Gift Cards. They make great gifts anytime-Birthdays, Anniversaries and Thank-You’s.