September Suggestions
Now that we are near the end of the summer season, it is time to roll up your sleeves and get ready for this amazing weather we are about to have. September is all about renovating your lawn before winter, cutting back shrubs, dividing and transplanting perennials, bringing in houseplants and preparing your ground for late season planting.
Renovating the Lawn
Some of the worst times can be when you have no idea why your lawn looks so bad! This time of year is the perfect time to fix that. Here are a couple pointers to help rejuvenate your lawn.
Dethatch:
Dethatching the lawn will keep your lawn happy and healthy. Think of it as losing a little bit of weight during the winter, so you can be nice and skinny for the spring.
Reseed:
Reseeding your lawn in the fall has many benefits. Good seed-to-soil contact happens through natural moisture and frost that only occur in late fall and winter. It also repairs the wear and tear of a hot and dry summer.
Top 3 Grass Seed for Fall
KY-31
KY Bluegrass
Creeping Red Fescue
Fertilize:
The fall is the most important time of year to fertilize your lawn. The reason why is because the morning dew is a natural moisture that helps the fertilizer absorb into your lawn. This process is essential for a bright green lawn for the spring.
Cutting, Removing, Reusing for Fall
Don't worry, this will be the last time this year that you will be cutting back any shrubs or plants! You will also need to divide and transplant your perennials!
Shaping the Shrubs
Shaping shrubs for the fall is like shaving before no-shave November. It will be the last time for a while that they will be trimmed so make sure they are nice and pretty!
Before Trim
After Trim
Divide and Transplant Perennials
Dividing and Transplanting your perennials can be a tricky task. Here are the three simple steps to ensure you do not kill and replant your beautiful perennials!
Dig Them Up:
It is essential that when you start this process that you do not kill the plant before dividing it or replanting it. When digging, try to not destroy the root system of the plant. Dig a wide enough area around the plant to make sure you do not damage the roots.
Divide one, into many:
Transplant:
Transplant is just a fancy word for replanting! Enjoy your new perennials without even having to spend money!
Dividing your perennials is the trickiest part. Once you have dug up your plant, shake the soil off of the roots, then start splitting the plant up. You can use a knife, shovel, or your hands. Try to keep the root system intact!
Bring in those Houseplants!
Most house plants will die if you don't bring them in on chilly September nights so make sure to bring in your colorful houseplants soon! If you see any plants that look like yours, BRING THEM INSIDE!
Preparing Your Ground for Late Season Planting
Preparing your soil for late season planting can be done in 3 simple steps:
Till that ground up!
Feed your soil!
Water like you don't have a water bill!
Till it up!
Tilling your land is no fun task but by breaking up the soil, it will make planting easier, it will make your ground healthier, and it will allow new nutrients to integrate into the ground.
Feed Your Soil!
Feeding your soil is essential during the fall because of the natural moisture that the fall season brings. Using organic fertilizers like Okolona Mix, Pine Fines and/or Compost can be great for your soil during this time of year.
Ken-Mulch Organic Fertilizer
Pine Fines $50.95 per scoop
Okolona Mix $42.95 per scoop
Compost $38.95 per scoop
Water! Water! Water!
For some reason, people think that you can stop watering after the summer. This is wrong! You still need to water your soil and plants during the fall so that they can stay healthy!
