Perennials
Expand your garden horizons this season with confidence. Now is the perfect time to give your iris poppies and other spring blooming perennials a fresh start by digging and dividing them. Enhance the health of your perennial gardens by mulching them, using evergreen needles to maintain a cool and moisture-rich environment.
Remember to skip fertilizing to ensure their survival during the winter months. Watering is crucial, especially for new plantings, so aim for about an inch of water per week. And don’t forget to continue deadheading to prevent reseeding and extend the blooming period. Embrace the possibilities and nurture your garden’s growth.
Shrubs
September is an opportune time to strategically plan for a vibrant fall color palette in your garden or landscape. Consider incorporating shrubs with rich hues, such as Barberry, Burning Bush, and Viburnum for shades ranging from red to orange. For a touch of purple, Dogwood is an excellent choice, while Roses and Witch Hazel can add a burst of yellow to your garden.
To maintain a healthy environment for your shrubs, it’s essential to clear out your shrub beds. This not only eliminates habitats for unwanted animals but also minimizes the risk of damage to adjacent plants. Make sure to remove fallen leaves and dead foliage, as this proactive measure can help prevent disease in the upcoming growing season.
For rose enthusiasts, allowing the blooms to remain on the plants can offer added winter protection. However, it’s advisable to refrain from fertilizing any newly planted shrubs until the following spring.
Explore the diverse selection of shrubs available at Heritage Hill Nursery today to enrich your garden with captivating fall colors.
Trees
As with shrubs, if mulch hasn’t already been spread now is a good time. Mulching helps prevent moisture loss and since August is usually a hot month, applying a 2-to3-inch layer around the base of your trees, making sure that you taper the mulch away from the base, will be beneficial.
Allowing the mulch to pile up against the bark, otherwise known as the volcano effect, causes the bark to stay moist. The softening of the bark as a result of the constant moisture can lead to disease and eventually kill the tree. Although the addition of mulch will help prevent moisture loss, sometimes it may be necessary to lay a hose with a slow but steady water flow, about a foot away from the trunk, for about 20-30 minutes.
However, wilted leaves aren’t always a sure sign that a tree needs water if the tree has been watered on a regular basis. As the temperature and humidity change, leaves draw water from the root system to release through their pores. When the sun gets too hot, leaves can’t take up and release water fast enough, and they wilt.
Lawn
Looking to Sow Grass Seed? September is Your Ideal Month! Whether you’re starting a new lawn, patching up bare spots, or renovating an existing lawn, September offers the optimal conditions for grass seed planting. The combination of cooler temperatures and warm soil creates an ideal environment for quick germination and strong root establishment before winter arrives.
However, it’s advisable to complete your planting by September 20th. Planting later than this date is considered late-season sowing, and the grass may not have enough time to establish itself before winter, risking potential damage or loss.
Take advantage of September’s favorable conditions to give your lawn a lush, healthy start.
Don’t miss out on these gardening tips and our special offers for June at Heritage Hill Nursery, Inc. Visit our garden center and start enhancing your outdoor oasis today.