September 2021 Gardening Tips

---

Spring Flowering Bulbs - Alliums, Daffodils, Crocus, Muscari (Grape Hyacinth).

Annuals - Lobelia, Calendula, Pansies and Iceland Poppies (Sonoma County - plant 4 inch plants last week of Sept-First 2 weeks of October).

Perennials - Lavender, Fuchsias, Bulbine, Asters.

Veggies - Fava Beans, Spinach, Radish, Onions.

Extras - Insecticidal Soap, Frost cloth, Compost.

 Note from Mary: I've linked videos to The Gardening Tutor Vimeo Channel for Ad-Free watching. You can still find some of our videos on YouTube if you prefer. You can follow us on Vimeo and comment just like YouTube and you do not have to join Vimeo to watch.  

• Veggies - Labor Day is a good target date to plant many of our winter veggies such as Cauliflower, Swiss Chard, some Lettuce Varieties, and Spinach etc.
• Containers - Check moisture levels in containers to make sure water is getting into the rootzone. For long lived plants in containers apply a layer of compost as mulch being careful to keep the mulch layer thinner near the trunk or stem.  
• Pruning - Coleus will keep making beautiful leaves when they are not allowed to bloom. Remove blooms as soon as you see them. Remove or cut back some of the unwanted growth from Persimmon and Fig (save any major shaping for later in the year). Groom Salvias for a good fall show. Continue to remove spent flowers from Fuchsia and Tuberous Begonias.
• Pest Management - Check container plants for pests and fungal infestations. Whitefly can be managed by using yellow sticky traps. Whitefly like dry situations so changing the growing environment to one with more regular water on the soil surface in addition the yellow sticky traps will help manage the infestation. Containers that have dried out attract ants. Apply water slowly to rewet the soil. Manage ants with bait. Scale insects can be removed with gloved hands or plastic scraper. Let them fall into a bucket of hot, soapy water if possible, to kill them. Some plants may be able to be cut back at this time of year to help remove heavy infestation of Scale. Contact Mary for your Consultation/Tutoring appointment today.
• Prepare for winter color - Pull any container plants that are not thriving, clean pots and buy potting mix to be ready for planting winter color. In zone 9 it's almost time to plant pansies and Iceland Poppies!  
• Compost - Prepare planting beds for veggies and winter blooming Pansies and Iceland Poppies, planted later this month, by amending with compost. Add layer of compost as mulch to  garden beds as needed. Be careful if you plan to plant seeds or small veggie plants, like beets, right away after amending with compost as this can result in all leaves and no beets (hmmm, how would I know this, ha!). In this case it may be best to loosen the soil and plant the beets or seeds, then apply compost as mulch instead of amending. Compost that is fresh and not aged has alot of nitrogen in it which can encourage the leaves to grow and not the root veggie.