University of Vermont Extension
Department of Plant and Soil Science
Fall
News
Article
CHECKING SOIL ACIDITY AND OTHER
SEPTEMBER GARDENING TIPS
Charlie Nardozzi, Senior
Horticulturist
National Gardening
Association, and
Dr. Leonard Perry, Extension
Professor
University of Vermont
Checking your soil acidity or pH,
keeping new plantings well watered, and freezing end-of-season tomatoes
are
some of the many gardening activities for this
month.
If you need to raise or lower the pH
of your soil, add the required amendments, such as sulfur or lime, this
fall
because they take some time to work. Take soil samples from different
parts of
your yard and garden and test them separately so you can apply what's
needed
for each particular use. Extension test
kits are available from local offices and many garden stores.
Plants that are still developing new
root systems need ample water in the fall before they go dormant. Roots
grow
until the soil temperature gets down to the low 40s (degrees F), so
moisten the
entire root zone once a week unless you have a soaking rain. Moisten
means to
water well. A good soaking less often
promotes deeper roots better able to withstand stress.
Don't let excess tomatoes go to
waste. Plum tomatoes and cherry and grape minis dry fairly easily in
the oven.
Slice them in half lengthwise, set them on a baking sheet, and drizzle
with
olive oil and sea salt. Roast them in a 250-degree oven until they are
no
longer juicy. When cool, pack them in freezer bags.
Legumes, such as beans and peas,
have the ability to take nitrogen from the air and use it for their own
benefit. Rather than pulling up the spent plants and adding them to the
compost pile, why not
keep that nitrogen where it's needed by chopping up the vines and
tilling or
digging them into the soil.
After spending the summer growing
foliage and replenishing the bulb, your amaryllis needs a rest. Bring
it inside
into a cool, dark spot and stop watering for a couple of months.
When
you see new
growth beginning, or when you are ready to start the flowering process,
bring
the pot inside, refresh the top inch of soil, and begin watering. Take
care not
to overwater, especially if there's no growth yet. Different varieties
have
different bloom cycles but in general your bulb should bloom in about
10 to 12
weeks.
With frost likely this month,
prepare to cover plants at the last minute. Make sure the cover extends
all the
way to the ground to hold in the heat, and try to prop it above the
foliage so
the leaves don't freeze. Old shower curtains and sheets are handy for
this, as
are light fabrics available at complete garden stores sold for frost
protection.
The sales are on. There's still plenty of time
to plant trees and shrubs. Root growth
will continue into late fall or early winter, and plants won't have the
heat of
spring or summer to dry them out. Be sure to water well at planting
time and
every week until they go dormant. If you don't have a spot ready for
your new
additions, submerge them in the vegetable garden -- pot and all.
If you haven't ordered
spring-flowering bulbs for fall planting, such as daffodils and tulips,
you can
find these this month in many garden stores.
If you have deer and other wildlife, think daffodils as these wont be
eaten by them.
Return to
Perry's Perennial
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