SEPTEMBER CHECKLIST

Although the days are getting shorter, and the glow of the setting sun is now golden, September is still summer. This means you still need to water. Do that final push to extend summer with fresh color in your containers, planting some fall veggies for cool weather harvesting, and giving your plants a little boost with compost tea.

That said, it's also time to think about fall and beyond. Trees are showing striking fall color. Spring flower bulbs have arrived. Over-wintered crops like garlic can be started now. And it's a good time to fertilize your lawn and reseed those bare spots.

Here's a checklist:

Around the home

• Water, water, water - Continue to water plants and trees regularly until the true rainy season, usually in late October or November. It's been a dry summer, and occasional rains may not penetrate deep enough to reach the roots of your plants. If you have to choose between waterly frequently and watering deeply, always water deeply. That said, pots, grasses, and root-bound plants, may need more frequent watering.
• Add fresh colors and textures to your containers - Pop in some fresh fall color to perk up tired-looking summer containers. Mums, asters, kale, pansies, heuchera, and groundcovers are classic choices. A lot of perennials are looking really good right now, so try adding a perennial for a different look.
• Add fall colors to your landscape - Japanese Maples are putting on their late season color, and many trees have visual fall interest, like Redbuds and Ginkgos.
• Select spring flower bulbs - Tulips, daffodils, crocus, and other spring flowering bulbs are arriving. Get your favorites while supplies last and plant them in next month.
• Give your weary plants a shot in the arm - Apply Soil Soup to weary plants. Like a probiotic for soil, compost tea invigorates the soil and provides protection against pests and diseases.
• Mulch - Adding several inches of compost in the fall is the best way to maintain a healthy soil environment for your plants.

Edible gardening

• Start your fall/winter veggies - Plant lettuce, spinach, kale, broccoli, cabbage, chard, and other cool weather-loving veggie starts. Yes, you can harvest cool weather veggies into the late fall.
• Get garlic into the ground - Garlic bulbs are coming in. If you haven't tried growing garlic before, this might be a good year to start. You'll need a well-draining area, perhaps a raised bed. Here is an old article about this (note that the varieties mentioned may not reflect what we currently have in stock. We'll update that article soon. Garlic Article

Lawn care

• Lawn Care - Fertilize your lawn. Re-seed while soil temperatures are above 50 degrees at night. Apply lime to discourage moss.

Apply lime to discourage moss	Lilly Miller Super Sweet	25lb bag covers 2000 sqft
Apply fertilizer	EB Stone Lawn Food	20lb bag covers 2000 sqft
Overseed or patch areas	Supreme Blend (full sun) or Show and Shade Blend (shade or sun)	2lb bag covers 2000 sqft for overseeding
Mulch	EB Stone Top Coat	1.5 cuft bag covers 72 sqft with 1/4" layer

Indoor plants

• Bring houseplants back inside - For houseplants that you have placed outside during the summer, start transitioning them back to indoors when the weather starts cooling. A big change in temperature, light, and humidity may shock them, so take it slow. Also give them a once-over to ensure they aren't carrying any bugs with them. A quarantine might be helpful too.
• Slow down on fertilizing - Your houseplants will slow in growth as fall progresses. You can start to feed them a little less often.