Gardening WITH
PETER BOWDEN
S
eptember is one of those months that is split by two seasons. September has one foot planting in summer, the other in fall. The beginning of the month has us reveling in our flowerbeds with our annual flowers and roses at their peak providing lots of flowers for enjoyment with enough extra for cutting to bring inside or to share with special friends. The vegetable garden too has hit its stride and there are tomatoes, beans, squash and all manner of fresh treats. These are the days we dream of during the long cold evenings of winter. Even as we relish the precious last days of summer, the end of these glorious days is hinted at, by days that are growing rapidly shorter and the chill in the evening air. For the gardener, these are days to savor, even as we prepare for
the season ahead. Many of the projects we take on in September look very much like the first we tackle in spring. You could actually call September our “second spring.” September is a great time to plant shrubs and trees for instance. The days are shorter and there is generally more rain. The combination of cooler, moister soil stimulates root growth on woody plants. This makes September a great time to take advantage of clearance sales at the nurseries with plenty of time left before winter to establish a root system in their new location. Naturally, you need to make sure to plant properly to ensure that your fall planted shrubs and trees get off to the best start. It would seem simple enough, but there is a right way and a wrong way...and planting the wrong way
can have severe consequences. If the stem or trunk above ground is covered with soil, it hinders the plant’s ability to pass moisture and nutrients from the root system to the branches and leaves above. Use the extra soil to build a dish-shaped dike or berm out away from the stem of the plant. This will collect water and direct it down to the root system below. All that’s left is to water heavily after planting to remove any air pockets from the soil. If we have a very dry fall (like we did last year) you’ll want to water it occasionally right up until the ground starts to freeze. There’s another project that many people tackle in spring that’s actually best done in September….lawn seeding. The shorter, cooler days of early September make it the ideal time to make permanent improvements to the condition of our lawn. Turf experts agree that this is the best time of year to start a lawn from seed. If you have a new home that needs a lawn or bare areas that need seeding, get right to it so the seeds will have a chance to sprout and get well established before the ground freezes. This is the best time to tackle this project, but the window of opportunity is a small one, so don't put it off. Consult the folks at the garden center to determine the best grass blend for your particular soil and light conditions. For late summer seeding, avoid cheap blends that contain annual ryegrass. You'll also see seed blends available that claim to be 'for sun or shade'. There aren't too many grass types that thrive equally in sun or shade. These blends simply mix sunny types and shady types together in one bag. In sun, some of the seed thrives but the shady seed dies. In shade, the opposite happens. The best idea is to choose a blend that is specific to your need. The right seed blend is always a good investment. Most folks overdo it and put down way more grass seed than is necessary. One or two seeds per square inch is just right. After your seed is on the soil, start watering and watering and watering. No matter how high the quality of the seed used, it won’t germinate unless the area is kept moist CONSTANTLY. After the
154 | SIMPLY SARATOGA | FALL 2016
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