September Task List for Dependable Gardens Only a few more weeks of summer! In our high desert, however, it can still remain hot a for a while longer so be sure to continue monitoring the water needs of your plants, especially any new summer plantings. As it cools down remember to change the irrigation times and frequency on your control box. If you are on irrigation water and it gets shut off toward the end of the month, you might have to run out a hose and hand water for a few days. Cooler days are a great time to plant. Large diameter trees do especially well since their water demands are not as great and the soil will remain warm enough to encourage active root growth for 6-8 more weeks. If you need to reseed a portion or plan to do your entire lawn, now is a good time to start. First, make sure your ground has been tilled and the soil loosened, add organic matter if needed, then smooth and grade. If you had planned to plant any large trees or shrubs, put them in before you start on the lawn. Spread seeds evenly and gently tamp down with the back of a garden rake to ensure good contact with the soil. Do not use a roller as it will compact the soil destroying the important pore space needed for air and water retention. The seed must stay moist to germinate so regulate the watering time and frequency depending on the temperature. Don’t get impatient: fescue takes about two weeks to germinate while Kentucky bluegrass takes about three. After the grass has started to come up, you can lightly scatter seed over any missed or bare spots. Spring bulbs are available this month. Select only high quality, large, firm bulbs but don’t be in a hurry to plant them. Instead, store your bulbs in a cool dark place until the soil is cool in late October or early November. Harvest the remainder of your fruits and vegetables, finish canning, drying, freezing, or giving away extra produce to friends and neighbors, and begin cleaning up. Pick up any dropped fruit, chop up old vegetable stems and add them to your compost pile (turn the pile while you’re at it.) Plant cool season vegetables like lettuce, peas, spinach, carrots, and parsnips for harvesting later this fall, and garlic bulbs for next summer. Also plant fall flowering plants such as chrysanthemums, kale, cabbage, and pansies. Dig up tender summer bulbs, such as cannas, dahlias, and gladiolas, using a large garden fork. Shake as much soil off the bulbs as possible and store in a single layer in a cardboard box in the garage. Be sure any remaining soil on bulbs is dry before storing or bulbs will rot. Gardening catalogs are starting to come in the mail. If you would like more information about a particular plant, stop by and see our certified nursery professionals. They will provide you with accurate information and possibly even bring in the desired plant for you this spring.

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