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September Newsletter

As the days grow shorter and the air begins to cool, September is one of the most important months for setting your garden, lawn, and landscape up for success. From planting and harvesting to preparing for winter, here are the top tips and tasks for the month.

🌳 Trees, Shrubs & Perennials

• Plant trees and shrubs now to take advantage of fall’s cooler temperatures. Roots will establish before the ground freezes, giving plants a strong start for next spring.

• Prep perennial fruit plants like strawberries and raspberries for winter by mulching and cutting back dead growth.

• Divide and transplant spring-blooming perennials such as daylilies, peonies, or iris. Rejuvenating crowded beds will keep them blooming beautifully for years to come.

🥕 Vegetable Garden & Edibles

• Harvest remaining warm-season crops such as tomatoes, peppers, and squash, while continuing to pick cool-season veggies like lettuce, spinach, and kale.

• Plant garlic and shallots now for a flavorful harvest next summer.

• Clear out spent plant debris and enrich beds with compost to improve soil health for next year.

• Plant a Fall Garden! 👇

🌱 Lawn Care Tips

• Cool-season grasses (fescue, bluegrass, ryegrass) are actively growing again after summer stress—making September the perfect time for lawn care.

• Fertilize with a balanced blend to help grass recover and prepare for winter.

• Overseed bare or thin areas for a thicker, healthier lawn next spring.

• Aerate your lawn to relieve compaction and improve water and nutrient absorption.

• Pick up fallen fruits and vegetables to avoid attracting raccoons, opossums, or rodents.

• Protect garden sheds and greenhouses by installing mesh or hardware cloth at the base to prevent nesting.

• Consider planting native plants that provide food and habitat for beneficial wildlife, while also keeping unwanted critters out of your crops.

🍄 Diseases & Plant Health

• Look for late-season fungal issues like powdery mildew, rust, and blight on vegetables, flowers, and fruit trees.

• Use fungicides on trees and vegetables if necessary to protect your plants through fall.

• Inspect fruit trees for fire blight or brown rot, removing infected plant material immediately.

🐛 Pests & Insects

• Watch for fall armyworms in lawns and treat with insecticides if you see damage.

• Encourage natural predators such as birds and beneficial insects to keep pest populations in check.

• Seal cracks and gaps around your home to keep out spiders, stink bugs, and boxelder bugs as they look for winter shelter.

• Check for wasp nests around eaves, attics, or outdoor spaces. Remove small nests with care. 👇

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