It's September! What's On My Gardening "To Do" List?

Yes, summer flew by. Here in Zone 9, we have wonderful weather in late summer, early fall. It's a great time to work in the garden. Here are some key activities to focus on:

Vegetable Garden | Photo credit: Wix.com

Vegetable Garden

1. Plant cool-season crops: lettuce, spinach, kale, arugula, beets, carrots, peas, radishes, broccoli.

2. Remove spent summer crops to free up space and reduce pests.

3. Start garlic, shallots, and onions toward the end of September.

Pansies | Photo Credit: Wix.com

Flowers & Ornamentals

1. Plant winter annuals: pansies, violas, snapdragons, calendula, dianthus, stock.

2. Divide and replant overgrown perennials (daylilies, irises, agapanthus).

3. Light prune roses; reduce feeding as they prepare for dormancy.

Trees & Shrubs

Plant new fruit trees, grapevines, and shrubs while soil is warm.

Prune lightly to remove dead or crossing branches.

Pear Tree | Photo Credit: Wix.com

Vineyard & Orchard

1. Harvest grapes, figs, apples, pears, late peaches.

2. Clean up fallen fruit to deter pests.

3. Fertilize citrus one last time this season.

Members add mulch to rose garden | Photo Credit: A. Peterson

General Maintenance

1. Control weeds before they go to seed.

2. Apply mulch to regulate soil temperature and conserve moisture.

3. Deep water trees and perennials early in the month; reduce irrigation as nights cool.

4. Compost summer plant debris with fall leaves.

5. Prepare soil with compost for fall/winter crops.

Let a sunflower go to seed for the birds! | Photo Credit: Wix.com

Pollinator & Wildlife Support

1. Leave some sunflowers or zinnias to go to seed for birds.

2. Plant late-season bloomers (cosmos, salvia, Mexican sunflower) for bees and butterflies.

These are just a few helpful tips to keep you on track with your September garden. Most importantly, take time to enjoy your garden.