From the Ground Up: Time to start preparing garden for winter

September is one of the best months in the garden with lots of late summer bloomers still going strong. September is also a month of starts and stops. Here are some things to start and stop this month to get your garden in top shape for winter and spring.

Start labeling perennials that you want to divide in the spring. You may consider marking the center of the clump of perennials with a labeled stake so the root system is easily identified in the spring to be dug up and separated, when they first emerge.

Start saving seeds from plants that you want to propagate in the spring such as impatiens, zinnias, marigolds, and tomatoes.

Start digging the hole for trees or shrubs you want to plant. Plan your method of how you are going to protect the plants from animals. Plan tree wrap for the trees and consider wire cages or fencing for the shrubs. Make sure to keep any new trees and shrubs watered until the soil freezes.

Start pulling and destroying perennial weeds and grasses. Allowing them to over winter will only encourage self seeding and bigger weeds.

Start mulching after weeding to discourage spring weeds.

Start picking up the fallen fruit from fruit trees. The spoiled fruit harbors pests and should be removed from under the trees.

Start a newly seeded lawn or seed bare spots. September is an ideal time to sow grass seed due to cooler weather and moisture.

Start transplanting your Asiatic and Oriental lilies. Dig up the clump, separate and immediately replant the bulbs.

Start transplanting your peonies. Carefully dig up the plant, separate if you desire and replant. If you are separating the plant make sure each division has 3-5 buds. When planting make sure the buds are only 1-2 inches below the soil surface. Peonies planted too deep will not bloom.

The chores that need to be stopped in September are easier.

Stop watering your amaryllis bulb. The bulbs need to go dormant so it can be restarted in November for lush Christmas blooms.

Stop fertilizing roses and other perennials. You do not want new tender growth at this time of year as it is susceptible to freezing temperatures.

Stop fertilizing your lawn with high nitrogen fertilizer. Just as you do not want new growth on your perennials this is also the time you do not want growth on your lawn. You should fertilize your lawn with potassium and phosphorous to encourage root AND stem growth to sustain the grass through the cold weather.

As you can see everything has a season and it seems to never end but the results are so rewarding.

' Judy Stevens is a Linn County Master Gardener. For further questions call the Linn County Master Gardeners hortline at (319) 447-0647.