September is the time to get gardens ready for next year
Published on August 20, 2024 at 5:00pm EDT | Author: frazeevergas
0By Becker County
Master Gardners
Special to the Forum
Order spring flowering bulbs to plant later this month or next. Water them thoroughly after planting. Unless there is ample rainfall, continue watering every couple weeks so they develop good roots before winter.
Mulch them once the soil freezes. The longer you wait to plant your bulbs, the less likely they will come through winter successfully. Tulips are more forgiving than other bulbs, but it’s still best not to plant them too late.
Help your plants prepare for the long winter by adequately watering plants. This is especially true for trees and shrubs planted in the last 5 years. Provide these plants 1.0 – 1-.5 inches of water per week.
One of the very best times of the year to fertilize your lawn is from about Labor Day through the middle of September. Applications that put down about one pound of nitrogen per 1000 square feet will help provide the necessary nutrition through the late summer / fall period – a time of active grass shoot and root growth.
Becker County Master Gardeners are available to help answer your gardening questions at the Plant, Pest and Gardening Clinics every Wednesday (May-Sept) from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Extension Office (1120 8 th St SE Detroit Lakes) or call 218-846-7328.