Last updated on December 2nd, 2011
Here at A Garden for the House, September is a marathon-month. Outdoors, cooler temperatures invite the dividing and resetting of perennials, and the planting of bulbs, often in the hundreds. Indoors, there are window- and fluorescent-light-gardens to set up. This is also the time that I prepare vacationing houseplants for their return to home-life. Yes, September is a marathon alright, but there are glorious results at the finish line:
Bulbs. Order early, and with purpose. Make a copy of your order form, and note each bulb’s height, color and location for planting. This way you won’t be caught — as I have been — standing in the cold with bags and bags of bulbs, and no idea where to plant them. (I always order extra tulips, daffodils, Dutch hyacinths and muscari for advance bloom in the house.)
Chrysanthemums. If you didn’t buy these in July as I recommended — before bloom, and perhaps at a discount — splurge on a few now. They do wonders for the fall-to-frost border. If you don’t wish to plant them, just tuck pots between other plants for temporary decoration. In the photo above is red Chrysanthemum ‘Helen.’
Iris. Divide and reset crowded clumps, but remember to keep rhizome tops exposed.
Peony. Divide and transplant any poor-blooming old plants or set out new ones this month. They need sun, good drainage and only two to three inches of soil over the crowns.
Potatoes. Although most of my potato vines have died back, I won’t harvest until really cool weather arrives (usually the end of October). This way my cellar will be cold, too, and better suited for potato-storage. Tubers only keep well in dark, humid, and chilly quarters (35-40 degrees F.).
Window Garden. Clean window glass, and if your window is outfitted with glass shelves like mine, polish these too. You’d be amazed at how the slightest layer of grime can undermine an indoor garden’s decorative quality.
Artificial-Light Garden. Replace fluorescent tubes. You don’t need special “growth lights” to promote flowering; I have found that standard cool whites, available in any hardware store, perform just as well for a fraction of the cost.
Houseplants. Before nights get cold, houseplants should be gradually acclimated to indoor life. By Labor Day, I move the outdoor ones to the porch where there is less light than in the open and they stay there for a week or two. Prior to their coming in, pots should be scrubbed, foliage cleansed with a firm blast of water, and both pot and plant sprayed with a good insecticide. This way, plants will be in a clean condition and no pest epidemics will start. In my experience, House & Garden Raid is very effective. Follow label directions carefully. (Do not use insecticides on your citrus plants, lemon verbena, scented geraniums or other potted edibles.) Indoors, keep windows open day and night to provide plenty of fresh air through the first weeks. Then there should be a minimum of leaf-drop and general discontent with the home environment.
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Holly says
Your list is SO motivating! It's cooler here today, and a pleasure to be working outdoors (in between computer visits).
I'll take your advice and move my potted plants to a shadier location.
Gardenlady says
Kevin, looking forward to hearing more about window gardening. I've just about had it with my summer beds after 3 months of hideous weather. Only my weeds have flourished.
Cheryl says
Can carrots be left in the ground?
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Cheryl – welcome! Would you believe that I left my 'Danver's Half-Long' carrots in the ground all winter? I dug them up during a March thaw. To my utter amazement they were huge, perfectly formed, and extra sweet and delicious. So yes, by all means keep your carrots in the ground, and harvest just before winter's freeze or after spring's thaw. Thanks for asking, and do stop by often!
Yolanda says
I've read that for best results with African violets you need to combine one warm “daylight” tube with one “cool white” one. Are you saying this isn't necessary?
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Yolanda – my African violets bloom and bloom under cool white fluorescents, as do my dwarf geraniums, miniature roses, and winter-grown petunias.
Andrew Thompson says
My whole summer has been a marathon…of weeding! I'm looking forward to the first hard frost of autumn.