Northwest September Garden To-Do List

September in the Pacific Northwest is a very short-lived sentence . The garden wants to persist in summer but is also headed into fall . The two distinct chore paths for gardeners can be a piffling conflicting , but do not have that stop you from maintaining your garden . The days are still quite strong and sunny , leading to the familiar “ second summer ” here in the Pacific Northwest , but the fall rains will also get down helping with more traditional fall job . By harness both summer and fall task during the calendar month of September , you’re able to enjoy your garden even more .

Collect and sow seeds . Bycollecting seedsfrom your former summer annuals , biennials , and perennial , you may greatly increase your garden collections , specially from plants that you are already growing successfully . Collecting germ is also a fun way to engage with your garden in a completely different way . Spanish poppy(Papaver rupifragum , Zones 6–9),tall verbena(Verbena bonariensis , Zones 7–11 ) , and‘Sunset Boulevard ’ evening primrose(Oenothera versicolor‘Sunset Boulevard ’ , Zones 4–10b ) are some of the easiest and most prolific self - seeders to pull in , redistribute in your garden , or give to gardening friends . I like to sow source immediately after collecting or at least later in the decline to ensure the seed have a full point of vernalization ( frigid treatment ) . Most seeds need some cooling time period or even the winter cold to germinate and arise in the early spring .

superintend your lawn . Speaking of reseeding , September is a great month to overseed your lawn and set any bare pip or areas that need additional coverage . The beginning of autumn rain also lessens the amount of watering you will necessitate to do . All lawns need half-yearly maintenance to front their best , and by drive care of that task now , your lawn will front great next year . I care to top - dress my lawn with a fine compost before reseed along with some dolomite burnt lime to undermine the typically acidic Northwest soil ( always follow advocate practical program rates on the software package ) to give the raw lawn seeds an extra boost . For more tips on fall lawn care , say onhere .

Replace failing plant . September is a great meter to reevaluate your garden . Plants that failed to do where they were post may ask a new localisation or to be dispatch entirely from your garden . Especially in small metropolis gardens , infinite is a premium . If a industrial plant does not bring , then get one that does . There is no damage in blue-pencil your garden when want . Removed flora can be used in other , more suitable area in your garden , given away to friends , or in the sorry case , composted .

Rehabilitate your containers ’ hydrophobic potting soils . If you are finding that your small garden pots are dry out quickly or your plant seem to be struggle , assay soaking them in a tub of water . The container dirt can completely dry out out in the late summer estrus , and then the soil becomes hydrophobic . One sign of this is when you water your container plants and the piddle just flow out from the bottom of the container without the soil getting squiffy . When that happens , take a garden tub or a 5 - Imperial gallon bucketful , fill it with weewee , and entirely submerge the container for 20 to 30 minutes . Often you will notice air house of cards come from the very juiceless soil . Once rehydrated , these containers should wait right , but they should also be quick to pawn up the extra wet when you reach water system . If your plant life are beyond rehydration or past their prime , perhaps it is clip to await for nerveless - season annuals and other plants that will offer interest into fall and beyond . Just remember the soaking trick until the fall rain starts . This is equally effective with new plants that have not yet been plant yet due to the want of rain .

Continue to deadhead into fall . Lastly , to keep your garden blooming well in September and beyond , remember to deadhead rosiness , dahlias ( Dahliaspp . and cvs . , Zones 7–11 ) , salvias ( Salviaspp . and cvs . , zone 5–11 ) , and other late time of year perennials to promote reblooming or to use for later season bouquet in the nursing home .

September is a neat time to work in the garden no matter the weather . Late - time of year sunny day geminate with nerveless and sometimes showery evenings are a great meter to recharge . Make certain to savour all the effort you have put into your garden this twelvemonth . This is also a enceinte time to reflect and make changes as necessary , but by all agency get out and enjoy it .

— Jason Jorgensen is a landscape designer in Seattle .

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Mid-Atlantic September Garden To-Do List

Southeast September Garden To-Do List

Northern Plains September Garden To-Do List

Northeast September Garden To-Do List

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Milder September days make watching sunsets in the garden a dream. Photo: Jason Jorgensen

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how to collect seeds

I’ve collected these seeds from my late summer garden and will sow them before winter comes.Photo: Jason Jorgensen

turf alternative mix

I’m getting ready to overseed my yard with the Fleur de Lawn Blanche flowering turf-alternative mix from Oregon-based Pro Time Lawn Seed.Photo: Jason Jorgensen

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