Can it really be the middle of September? The first day of fall is upon us and I always feel a little panicked as September comes to a close. My project “wish list” seemed to grow longer this summer. I had some fantastic surprises in the garden this year, but as always some of my projects are rolling over to next growing season.
It’s time to re- check September’s list of gardening tasks that includes:
-Continue watering your garden as needed during dry weather
-Continue collecting seeds for next year’s garden
-Continue checking regularly for signs of pests and diseases
-Continue weeding your beds
-Cover water gardens with netting to catch any falling leaves
-Water newly planted trees and shrubs once a week
-Cut back ragged-looking perennials
-Divide perennials
-Divide peonies
-Plant tulips
-Continue direct-seeding lettuce, endive and spinach
-Continue harvesting herbs
-Clean up areas of the vegetable garden that have finished producing
-Refresh containers with fall annuals such as asters, mums, flowering kale, and cabbage
-Continue composting
-Take a walk around your gardens and start making a “to do” list for next season
If you have a cold frame, be sure to get it cleaned out and ready for direct-seeding of lettuce and spinach that you can enjoy in the colder months
There is still time for you to become a more informed gardener and join the OSUE Master Gardener Volunteer training classes starting Oct. 7. Classes will meet on Wednesday and Thursday of each week from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. (with one hour for lunch). The Wednesday class will meet at the Public Library in Mt. Orab, and the Thursday class will be held at the Hillsboro campus of Southern State Community College.
The training consists of 14 classes meeting on Oct. 7, Oct. 8, Oct. 14, Oct. 15, Oct. 21, Oct. 22, Oct. 28, Oct. 29, Nov. 4, Nov. 5, Nov. 12, Nov. 18, Nov. 19, and Nov. 25. You must attend 13 classes to obtain the 50 hours of training required. The charge for the course will be $150 (after October 2 – $160). Once trained and if you complete the 50 hours of volunteer time within a year, $100 will be refunded. If you are interested please call the OSUE office in Georgetown at 937-378-6716.
It’s time for me to pull tomato plants and put cages away. I need to move the Rabbit Patch Garden Fence before winter so that crops can be rotated next spring. What big projects are on your list that need to be done before the snow flakes begin to fall? Tick tock tick tock, it won’t be long!
See you at the Brown County Fair. Stop by the OSUE Brown County Master Gardener Volunteer booth and learn more about attracting birds, butterflies, bees and wildlife to your garden.
Submitted by Faye Mahaffey
OSUE Brown County Master Gardener Volunteer
