Fall is almost here!
In the Garden
Get your garden beds ready for fall planting.
- Cool-season veggies are arriving and seedlings are getting ready to transplant, so make sure your raised beds are ready.
- Refresh existing soil with Lobster Compost to replenish nutrients that were used up last year.
- For new beds, fill with Coast of Maine Raised Bed Soil, a pre-made soil for raised bed gardening that eliminates the need to make your own. It’s organic and can also be used in containers.
- If you’d prefer to make your own soil, we recommend a ratio of 40% topsoil, 40% compost, and the remaining 20% a mixture of vermiculite, peat moss, and organic matter such as manure and earthworm castings.
- Herbs are harvestable throughout the growing season, so harvest regularly.
- If you’re finding that you are ending up with more herbs than you can use immediately, click here for our guide to drying and freezing your herbs.
- Check for potential pest and fungal problems. Hot and humid weather is the perfect growing environment for fungal problems, and insects tend to be highly active now, too.
- Neem Oil is an organic triple-action control (insects, fungus & mites) that is safe to use on edibles as well as ornamentals.
- Captain Jack’s Dead Bug Brew is an organic insect control that works on several insect varieties.
- Copper Fungicide is a tough, organic fungal control that clears up several common fungal problems.
- Keep fertilizing your veggies and herbs according to the fertilizer’s schedule.
- GardenTone is a great, organic, all-purpose herb and veggie fertilizer
- TomatoTone is ideal for all tomato plants and is also organic.
- Deadhead existing annuals as blooms fade to encourage even more growth!
- Don’t forget the fertilizer!
- Dynamite is a slow-release fertilizer that feeds for up to 9 months.
- FlowerTone is an organic fertilizer, perfect for all flowering plants.
- PlantTone is a wonderful all-purpose fertilizer for all your plants, and it’s organic, too!
For the Landscape
Contrary to popular belief, fall is the best time for planting! Air temperatures will (hopefully) start getting lower, which means less stress on new plants, but the soil is still warm for summer, which is great for root development.
- Use Lobster Compost to amend soil, and Root Stimulant to help roots acclimate and help prevent transplant shock when planting.
- If you have issues with Voles, protect new plants by using mesh Vole Bags to keep the roots safe.
- New trees and shrubs will be arriving this month, and most of them will have fall interest (like colorful fall foliage, berries or beautiful flowers)
- Pests are still out and about in your garden and landscape. Check plants regularly for signs of problems; it’s easier to control problems if they’re caught early.
- Neem Oil is an organic triple-action control (insects, fungus & mites) that is safe to use on edibles as well as ornamentals.
- Rose Shield is also a triple-action product that’s a bit stronger than Neem Oil, however, it is not recommended for use on edibles.
- Rose RX is a systemic insect control that provides up to 6 weeks of protection. It’s an excellent choice if you have a plant that gets the same pest/disease problem each year around the same time.
- Eight Insect Control is a strong insecticide that can kill over 140 types of insects.’
- Depending on the year, Japanese Beetle numbers decline this month, with them usually completely gone by mid to late July. Once you’re sure they’re no longer a problem, you can remove your Japanese Beetle traps.
- Despite fall being right around the corner, we’ll still be warm for most of September, so fungal problems are still a potential issue. Like pests, fungal problems are easier to control when they’re caught early, so check regularly.
- Copper Fungicide is an organic fungal control that treats multiple fungal problems, including Powdery Mildew and Leaf Spot. It is safe for use on edibles as well.
- As they are both triple-action actions, Neem Oil and Rose Shield are excellent choices for many fungal problems as well.
- Follow the recommended feeding schedules for the fertilizers you use. Some are one-and-done, while others might want to be applied once a month.
- Feed roses with RoseTone to keep them blooming all summer.
- Perennials and other blooming shrubs can be fed with FlowerTone.
- Fertilome Tree & Shrub can be used for all trees and shrubs.
- Mulch around your plants. Mulch helps retain moisture. It also insulates root systems, protecting plants from freezes during winter.
In the Lawn
Depending on what kind of grass you have, there are a few different things that might need to be done for your lawn this time of year.
- Cool Season
- Time to start prepping your lawn for fall seeding! Click here for our Lawn Renovation Guide.
- First things first, test your pH. Grass seed does best at a neutral pH (between 6.5 and 7.5), so if your pH is too acidic, your grass won’t thrive. Apply Jonathan Green Mag-I-Cal to quickly raise your soil pH.
- Next, we need to get rid of any competition for your grass, namely weeds. There are two different products you can use to kill off weeds, depending on your lawn seeding plans.
- If you’re overseeding an existing lawn, Weed Beater Ultra is a broadleaf weed control that won’t harm your grass. You’ll need to wait 2-3 weeks to put down seed or sod after application.
- If you’re starting a brand-new lawn, KleenUp is a nonselective herbicide that can be used to kill off any weeds or existing grass to give you a fresh slate, and you’re ready to seed or sod in 4-5 days.
- Again, keep an eye on the temperature limits of any products you’re using.
- Grass seed is finally here, but wait until temperatures are 85° or lower before seeding.
- Time to start prepping your lawn for fall seeding! Click here for our Lawn Renovation Guide.
- Warm Season
- Warm-season grasses will be going dormant in the next couple of months. Ideally, you should wait until late spring before seeding and sodding.
- You can continue your battle against weeds by applying Bonide Weed Beater Ultra or Jonathan Green Lawn Weed Control as needed, according to the instructions on the bag. Keep an eye on temperature limitations, as some chemicals don’t work or can cause damage at certain temperatures.
- Continue watching for fungal problems and apply Infuse Fungicide at the first sign of fungus. Thankfully, as we move further into fall, the likelihood of fungal problems will decrease.
For Your Pond
- It’s still algae season in ponds. While plants may be harder to find this time of year, chemical algaecides like AlgaeFix will quickly kill off algae. Make sure to pick up something like PondZyme that will break down the dead algae so you aren’t left with a bunch of sludge at the bottom of your pond.
- Whenever you add water to your pond, use Chlorine & Heavy Metal Neutralizer to remove harsh chemicals from the water.
- Feed your fish with Koi Vibrance fish food to keep your fish fed. Hungry koi are known to chow down on pond plants.
Click here for October’s checklist.