Get Ready For Some Cool

SAN BERNARDINO, CALIFORNIA - In the Inland Empire we can commence fall planting now through November. It is time to plant winter vegetables, bulbs, perennials, trees, shrubs and annuals.
While it is still too hot to plant some bulb and annuals, take time out to make a list of the things that you want to accomplish before fallsets in. What new plants you want to plant, which ones need dividing,which area needs fertilizing, which garden bed needs to be prepared and enriched. Do you need to make some raised beds this year since theknees are not working as well as they did last year?
Prepare for fall planting toward the end of September. Fall is theperfect planting time as the weather promotes root growth. There is still time to plant summer annuals such as dwarf zinnia and marigolds, vinca, impatiens, petunias, and phlox. Perennial plants that can beplanted include carnations, sweet William, ageratum, lobelia, alyssum, columbine, lupine and hollyhock. The weather is still warm enough topromote rapid root growth before frost sets in.
Seeds of annuals and perennials can be planted in sterile soil incontainers while it is still hot. They will be ready to transplantwhen the weather is cooler. The container will help to keep soil fungus from attacking and killing the seedlings. If you decide to plant the cool-weather plants in your garden now, instead of waiting for cooler weather, be certain to protect the plants with some shade and water them faithfully.
Check your overgrown perennials such as agapanthus, columbines, calla and canna lilies, coral bells, daylilies, gazanias, geum, herbs, iris (replant in October), penstemon, phlox, Shasta daisy, etc., for dividing and replanting.
The following seeds can be sown now if you have prepared the ground with mulch and begin good watering practices: California and Mexican poppies, African daisies, annual candytuft, bachelor buttons, forget-me-nots (shade), larkspur, linaria, nemesia, sweet Williams, and winter flowering sweet peas. Spring flowering sweet peas can be planted in October through November. If you have an area for wildflowers, use this month to clear it of weeds so you can strew wild flower seeds after the first rain.
Other flower seeds that can be planted include ornamental cabbage, calendula, columbine, companula, coreopsis, cosmos, delphinium, foxglove, hollyhock, Johnny jump up, mimulus, nasturtium, pansy, penstemon, phlox, petunia, poppies (all varieties), salvia, snapdragon, and statice.
September continues the season for making cuttings and propagating fuchsias, geraniums, impatiens and other plants that could perish in a frost. Protect your cuttings from the sun and then the cold.
Roots and bulbs include artichoke, asparagus, horseradish, onion, garlic, shallot, and other vegetables as they become available at the stores.
Bulbs, corms and tubers will begin to appear on the shelves this month.It is a good idea to buy these now while they are fresh and large sizes are in good supply. Don't plant now; store the bulbs in a cool dry place for planting in October. Tulips, hyacinths and crocus do best if they are stored in the refrigerator for four to six weeks at 40 degrees before planting in November. November is the month to plant ranunculus; more about that next month.
After the leaves of daffodil and narcissus bulbs, gladiolus corms, andoriental lilies leaves have yellowed, they may be dug, cleaned and dried in the sun for a week. Store in a cool dry shady place until replanting season resumes in January.
Pruning requirements for September are usually limited to thinning outshrub where there is a risk of wind damage. Staking small trees that are vulnerable to winds is advisable also check trees to make certain the stakes are not too tight. Stake and tie chrysanthemum plants to prevent drooping and breaking. This is a good month for general cleanup and spraying with a horticultural spray.
Cut off dead blooms of roses and annuals to promote fall blooms. Cut back straggly petunias to two growth nodes beyond the old hardwood and feed them for more fall color.
Keep the ground moist, don't let the soil dry out. As it gets cooler,the soil still needs to have moisture for healthy plants. Don't forget to fill the bird baths every week this month with fresh water (mosquitoes breed in stale water). Withhold water from your lilac bushes from now until January to start their dormant period. Gradually reduce watering of your pomegranate bush to reduce fruit splitting.
September is a good time to fertilize fall blooming plants, such as roses, chrysanthemums and annuals. This is the last chance to feed citrus so that new growth will harden before cold weather sets in. Add iron chelates to plants which show signs of yellowing foliage, this includes azaleas.
Autumn vegetable seeds to start include beets, Brussels sprouts, carrots, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, lettuce, kohlrabi, leek, mesclun,onions (short day types), parsley, sugar peas, turnips, radishes,spinach, Swiss chard and turnips.
Preparation of lawns for reseeding can be done now, but cool weathergrasses should be planted in October or November when the weatherstabilizes. You can start lowering your lawn mower now for the winter.Wait until October to fertilize.
Container pots with spring and summer plants should be checked to see if they need to be replaced with cool-weather varieties such aschrysanthemums. Choose plants with interesting and intense foliage color and plant with annuals that will bloom later in the season.Existing containers need to be kept moist -- use a slow drip method (if the plant's root ball has dried out, it will not absorb water).
Clean up under azalea and camellia plants to prevent disease. Water shallow-rooted plants, these include tropical ferns, fuchsias, and hydrangeas.
Start collecting fall leaves, spent summer vegetables, annuals,perennials, and small shrubbery for the compost pile, compost will enhance next year's soil.
When planting young plants, control snails and slugs as they are just waiting for their next succulent meal.
from The San Bernardino Sun