Gardening Suggestions for September

​September in Houston signals a shift from the intense summer heat to a more favorable growing season. This means your garden maintenance crew should transition their focus accordingly.

• Lawns: Continue mowing St. Augustine and Bermuda grass at a higher setting (~3.5-4 inches) to shade the soil and retain moisture. Begin fertilizing with a slow-release, high-nitrogen fertilizer (e.g., 20-5-10). You may want to consider preparing for over-seeding with rye grass but this will result in ongoing (increased) mowing (costs) throughout the cold season when the St. Augustine and Bermuda grasses are dormant.
• Bulbs: Prepare beds for fall-planted bulbs. Continue watering caladiums and lilies.
• Annuals: Plant fall-blooming annuals like mums and pansies,… Water regularly.
• Perennials: Divide spring-blooming perennials. Plant fall-blooming perennials.
• Roses: Begin minor fall pruning of dead or diseased wood. Fertilize with a balanced rose fertilizer.
• Shrubs/TreesTropical Plants: Reduce watering as temperatures cool.
• Fruit Trees: Begin minor fall pruning. 
• Palms: Reduce watering as temperatures begin to cool. Check for any signs of pests or disease.
• Fertilizer: Fertilize as needed.
• Weed Control: Cool season weeds may start to appear. Apply pre-emergent herbicides for winter weeds, as needed. Continue to replenish the mulch as this suppresses weeds. Use post emergent weed control.
• Pests: Caterpillars, grasshoppers,… Although the heat is subsiding pests and fungal diseases can still be a problem. 
• Diseases: Leaf spot, rust,..
• Watering: With temperatures gradually decreasing, adjust watering schedules. Reduce the frequency of watering but continue to water deeply when needed. Even though temperatures are decreasing, Houston can still experience periods of warm weather. So, it's important to remain vigilant about watering. 
• Suggestions for your Landscaping Crew: Continue to replenish the mulch as it retains moisture. Ask the crew to monitor soil moisture levels - is a part of the garden getting “too much or too little” water? Suggest to the crew that they regularly check and adjust irrigation systems for optimal performance. Ensure sprinkler heads are directed correctly to avoid water waste. Overwatering is a common and costly mistake and it can kill some plants and make some plant susceptible to diseases.  Ask the crew to regularly inspect plants for signs of infestation or disease. Early detection of plant problems saves time and money on treatments.
• Garden Cost Managment: Irrigation management is crucial due to variable temperatures and potential drought conditions. Begin planning for fall and winter landscaping. This can help to avoid impulse purchases and ensure that the garden is prepared for the cooler months