MONTHLY GARDENING TIPS
Here’s what to do, what’s in bloom, and lots of tips and tricks for each month of the year. Check back each month to find new, seasonal tips for ornamental gardening, lawn care, edible gardening, and indoor plant care in the Pacific Northwest!
September Tips for PNW Gardeners
In the Garden
Fall Sale is here! August 30-September 30, save 40% on trees and shrubs, 30% on perennials, and 25% on 8” chrysanthemums!
September is a great time to plant and transplant. The warm soil and cooler temperatures give plants time to put down strong roots before winter arrives. Remember to water regularly. Take a look at our Best Watering Practices to keep your plants happy and healthy.
Mulch now to help minimize weeds and protect plants as the weather gets colder. G&B Organics Soil Building Conditioner is an attractive and effective mulch. During Fall Sale, buy 3 bales and get 1 free!
Want to add some blooms to the late-summer garden? Check out our blog, 9 Flowers Blooming Right Now (and Into Fall).
Freshen up your containers with new plants for fall. See our ideas in Refreshing Your Containers for Fall.
Edible Gardening
Keep harvesting! Zucchinis are best harvested small for sweet, tender flesh. Tomatoes should be left to ripen as long as possible on the plant before picking.
Plant arugula, lettuce, kale, Asian greens, and radishes for fall and winter harvests. Learn more about Planting a Fall Vegetable Garden.
Powdery mildew is common here in the PNW, but we’re here to help you learn how to control it.
If you have empty vegetable beds, sow a cover crop like vetch, crimson clover, or rye to improve soil structure and add nutrients over the winter! Learn more about Cover Crops.
Lawn Care
Begin fertilizing your lawn. Be sure to water regularly after fertilizing, especially in drier weather.
Tackle Lawn Renovation by aerating, filling in low spots, and sowing grass seed.
Don't mow still-dormant sections of lawn. You can mow green lawn areas.
Remember that the height of the grass generally equals the depth of the roots, so keep grass a little longer to help build a strong support system. Set your mower to medium height to avoid cutting off more than 30% at a time.
Indoor plants
You can still fertilize your actively growing houseplants in September, but begin tapering down on frequency as we move into fall. See our September Checklist for Fall & Winter Houseplant Care.
As the weather cools, be sure to bring inside any houseplants that have "summered" outdoors. Check carefully for insects that might be tagging along and consider keeping these plants separated from others until they are bug-free. Not sure what pest you’re dealing with? See our blog post, What’s Attacking My Houseplant?
Add a new plant to your home. Worried you don’t have a green thumb? Try these 5 Easy Houseplants.