September 2002

Edible

Have your soil tested. Fall is a great time to have this done. Soil labs are not as busy in the fall as they are in the spring.

Store extra seeds in a sealable jar with a layer of silica gel or powdered milk on the bottom.

Top your tomatoes for one final pruning in mid-September. This pruning sends carbohydrates into the existing fruit rather than into new growth. This gives the tomatoes that are set time to mature.

Ornamental

Watch for evergreen especially arborvitae and white pine to drop needles. This is normal.

Apply broadleaf weed killers to lawn. Follow all label directions and spray on a calm day.

Dig up coleus, wax begonias and impatiens for indoor growing. Check for insects. Spraying with a hose will remove many bugs. Cut the plants halfway back before potting. Annuals such as impatiens, geraniums and wax begonias plus herbs, such as oregano, rosemary and thyme can also be propagated from cuttings. Follow these steps:

1. Cut off a 4-6" stem. Remove the lower one-third of leaves.
2. Dip the end of the stem in a rooting hormone. Most garden centers have
this product.
3. Stick the cuttings in a damp soilless mix in a 4" pot.
4. Place a plastic bag over the pot. Keep the plastic off the cuttings with straws or wooden stakes. Roots will form in 2-6 weeks.

Divide spring and early summer blooming perennials. A dead plant center, fewer and fewer flowers, growth that looks crowded are indications a perennial should be divided. Dig up the clump and cut off divisions with a spade. Plant and water throughout the fall.

Core aerate your lawn. Rent a core aerator to do it or hire someone. Use a core aerator that takes up the tubular plugs of soil not one that just pokes holes in the soil. Those cute shoes with spikes you often see advertised, do not work. Run the aerator in several directions across the lawn. The holes should be a few inches apart. Leave the plugs on the soil. They will eventually break down. Fertilize and water right after you aerate. Fertilizer will go into the holes and move to the lawnís root zone where it is needed.

Save your geraniums. They can be saved over the winter by placing them in paper bags, potting them up or taking cuttings. For a factsheet call 773-233-0476.

Plant trees and shrubs in the fall. Balled and burlapped and container grown trees are best. Plant early in the fall so the roots can become established. Roots will grow until temperatures fall below 40 degrees.