Fall is one of the good planting seasons , so get ready . It ’s specially unspoilt forplanting shrubs and trees , though if it ’s still blistering , delay for a week or two until weather is coolheaded . The ideal time is when the leaf start to alter colour . For expert , detailed advice on planting trees , consult “ Planting Trees , ” Va. Coop . Ext . ,Va . Coop . Ext . Pub . No.426 - 702andCharlottesville Tree Stewards / How to Select , Plant , and Care for your Tree . And do n’t miss this raw video , How to Plant a Tree / Va. Coop . Ext . Video .
Water newly - planted trees and bush regularly throughout the fall . Don’t rely on rain alone to maintain adequate moisture grade . To help hold in moisture as well as restrained the soil temperature , spread a three - in level of mulch over the rootball area after it has been well irrigate , but do not pile mulch against the plant ’s stem or trunk . control the filth near the etymon once a workweek . If the soil near the luggage compartment is ironic , your fresh tree diagram or shrub needs water , and plenty of it , particularly if there ’s been no rainfall . If the soil near the trunk is moist , do n’t over - water as that can defeat a Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree as sure as under - watering .
September is an excellent time to startdividing those perennialsthat need it ( day lily , garden phlox , irises , and oriental poppy should be separate every three to four years ) , and the idealistic meter to do this — adjusted passably for climate change — is likely around the 2d or 3rd workweek of September . Your new divisions involve at least six weeks to get establish before winter . As a oecumenical rule , spring - flower plant life are divided in free fall , and summer - blooming plants are divided in spring . Many plants , however , can be separate in either outflow or fall . Some perennial , include many with recollective tap roots such asBaptisia australis , do not respond well to division . Check guidelines for specific plants before separate . For elaborate how - to instructions on division , see the Clemson Cooperative Extension issue on“Dividing Perennials ” , which is very helpful .
September or early October isthe idealistic sentence to divide or move peoniesso that they become well established before winter . Peony genus Tuber are very fragile , so be particularly careful to keep the root bulk as intact as possible . Space the plants at least three feet aside . This is important : Plant the roots so that the buds are only about one to two column inch below the soil surface . If you plant them deeper , they will not bloom .
Spring - bloomingbulbs can be plant throughout the fall until the ground is rooted . They do well if planted about a month before the ground freezes . A good rule of pollex is to plant bulbs when the average nighttime temperature are in the 40 ° to 50 ° range . If bulbs are bought before planting time , store them in a cool , dry , sour place at a temperature of 60˚ to 65˚F. See theSeptember 2015 Tasks and Tips articleinThe Garden Shedfor recommendation of deer - resistive outflow - blooming bulbs in accession to daffodil . Fall is also the time todivide bulbs .
fertilise bulbs : Any clock time after your lightbulb have finished blooming is a good time to fertilize them , but they may not need fertilizer if you on a regular basis add constituent thing , like compost , to your beds . But if your narcissus and other spring - bloom light bulb look like they ’re not getting enough nutrients from the land , you might view fertilizing them lightly with a 5 - 10 - 10 fertiliser . Avoid high-pitched - nitrogen fertilizer ( the N element , the first of the three numbers listed on the label ) .
Clean up your bed to prevent disease and pest next class . In addition to the all - authoritative task of watering and weeding , it ’s of import tokeep garden seam clear of plant foliation that might carry fungus or other diseasesfrom this season to the next . Bag up pathological plant fabric and discard;don’t contribute it to the compost pile . As perennials become flat back in the fall , be sure to shorten off the numb foliage and throwing away since the foliage could encourage insect and disease . Do n’t cut off the brown frond of your fern in gloam since the old fronds help protect the gist through the winter . Once you see unexampled green frond in bound , you’re able to cautiously off the brown fronds . Or , just let them pass off off naturally .
Save seedsFor suggestions and operating instructions on seed economy , seeThe Ornamental Garden in September / Garden Shed Sept. 2018 . Do n’t draw a blank to economize the seed from the pods on your Hyacinth Bean vine ( Dolichos lablab ) .
Avoid Fall Pruning . hold out the impulse to grab your pruning shears . you could remove dead branches , but then put away the clipper . Shrubs that bloom on new wood can be pruned in late winter . Shrubs that bloom on old wood can be pruned decent after they bloom in spring or summertime . If you clip in crepuscle , you might mistakenly trim off buds that have already ready for spring flush . Or , you could advance a previous time of year blush of growth that could be injured by stale weather .
Attack InvasivesIf you ’ve got oriental bittersweet climbing in your Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , or autumn olives filling in every uncommitted space on your property , fall is the idealistic time to go on the attack . The “ cut podium ” method acting is quite effective for both these invaders . It does not necessitate spray weedkiller . rather you “ paint ” the herbicide onto the swing bow or stump . If you ’re not familiar with the hack - stump method acting , you might start by participate in an fall - specific Zoom preparation session offered by Blue Ridge Prism , Fall Invasive Plant Workshops / Blue Ridge Prism . Now is also the best time to eliminateAilanthus;read all about it atAilanthus Alert / Blue Ridge Prism .
return WebwormsAre you see more than common ? I ’m wonder if it ’s related to clime change , which is supposed to leave to an addition in insect pests . Have you noticed any new pestilence ? For more about descent webworm , see last calendar month ’s clause , In the Ornamental Garden / Garden Shed Aug. 2020 .
For more tips , seeMonthly Gardening Tips , September .
And we recommend check past Tasks & Tips articles : Sept. 2015,Sept . 2016,Sept . 2017,Sept . 2018,Sept . 2019 .
Happy horticulture !
