Horticulture

SEPTEMBER PLANTING TIME

• Lawn warm days and cool nights are ideal for establishing, reseeding, rejuvenating, and fertilizing the lawn. Tall fescue makes a tough lawn that tolerates heat. Red fescue is good for shady areas.

• Iris both Japanese and Siberian iris prefer a moist, acid, humus rich soil. Siberian iris need a deeper hole than bearded iris.

• Peonies plant in holes 3-4 feet apart, 6-8 hours of sun, and root divisions so "eye" is 1-1/2 inch below the surface of the soil.

• Spring blooming shrubs, ground covers, and new perennials.

CONDITION

• Goldenrod (Solidago): Remove most of the leaves and set overnight in tepid water.

• Pyracantha: Remove thorns from stems for easier handling. Split stems and condition overnight in warm water. Spray with clear acrylic spray (Minwax Polycrylic Protective Finish Clear Satin -Loews) to keep berries from shriveling and falling off.

FALL BLOOMING BULBS

• Colchicum (Kol'chick-um) deer proof leaves that appear in spring and vanish mid summer. Large blooms arise late summer.

• Fall crocus should be planted in a sunny protected site.

• Lycoris is a plant of the amaryllis family. Multi flowering cluster of spider like flowers bloom Aug-Sept. Sun to sun/shade.

SOURCE

• "Walpole" offers design collections and customized pieces for gates, fences, mail and lantern posts, pergolas, and trellises. www.walpoleoutdoors.com

HOW TO GROW TREE PEONIES DIRECTLY IN THE GARDEN FROM SEED

Source www.willowgarden.net

• In late August, tree peony pods will crack open as seeds ripen (see photo)

• Gather and plant seeds directly into soil approx. 1 inch deep and 4 inches apart. Use a marker to delineate the area. -Throughout the summer of the following year (second year), the first leaves will appear.

• In September of the second year, transplant to 1 foot apart at the same depth that they were growing. The transplant corm will look like a carrot.

• In the 3rd year, a few blooms will appear. Plenty of blooms in years 4 and 5.

HORTICULTURE CONTRIBUTION FROM SUSAN HONIG-ROGERS: "September Bounty"

There comes a moment in September when the weather is still as fine as frog's hair, but without the exhausting searing heat of earlier months, when your beans and pickles and jams have been put by, and your garden begins to slow down a bit. A moment to take a breath and savor the beauty of the garden that you and Mother Nature have collaborated on.

But wait! One thing will just not slow down! Those blasted, luscious cherry tomatoes keep ripening, hurling themselves to the ground daily in a heedless display of fruitfulness.

My paternal grandmother, to whom I owe my love of gardening, had just the answer for that crazy fireworks finale of cherry tomatoes. And the best part is that it is as easy as September itself.

MIMI'S TOMATO PRESERVES

• Gather ye cherry tomatoes. Measure them

• Use about half as much sugar as you have tomatoes (by volume, not weight)

• T-H-I-N-L-Y slice 1 lemon for every 3 cups of tomatoes

• Break a CINNAMON STICK into thirds for every 3 cups of tomatoes.

Toss it all in a heavy pot and let simmer 45 minutes, or until it's about the consistency of maple syrup. It thickens as it cools; this is the only tricky part! Pour into clean jars. I like the half pint or pint size best. Cover with paraffin or use a brief hot water bath. These are perfect as Christmas gifts, served with homemade biscuits or sliced ham on a buffet.

ENJOY!!