Sally Scalera

Brevard County Horticulture Extension Agent
3695 Lake Drive -- Cocoa FL 32926 -- 321-633-1702

September gardening plans

August 28, 2010

With the hot weather continuing through September it is still a good idea to do your yard work in the early morning. I have noticed that it can still be hot even at 7 p.m. though that should be changing soon. Here are some ideas of things to do around the yard this month.

  • Normally we would fertilize the lawn at the beginning of this month but only do so if we get out of the drought that we have been. When you do fertilize, only apply 1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet if 30-50% of the nitrogen is from water insoluble nitrogen. Just divide the first number in the analysis (the percentage of nitrogen) into 100 to get the number of pounds to spread on 1,000 square feet. A soil test will truly let you know what nutrients you need to add. We have the form, bags and a mailing box that can be sent to the Soil Lab at the University of Florida. The test will tell you the pH and the amount of phosphorous, potassium, magnesium and calcium.
  • If you have palms planted in or near the turf do not use a turf fertilizer within 50 feet of the palms. Instad, fertilize the lawn and palms with either an 8-4-12 4% Mg or an 8-2-12 4% Mg fertilizer.
  • Sod or plugs can still be laid to establish a new St. Augustine lawn.
  • Finish seeding bahiagrass in early September. Remember to buy scarified seed for a higher germination rate.
  • Stop throwing your coffee grounds and tea bags in the garbage and instead, start scattering them around the base of your landscape plants (or even your vegetable garden)! You can also add compost or aged manure to enrich the soil around your landscape or vegetable plants.
  • Fertilize shrubs and perennials if their leaves are yellowish-green (needs nitrogen) or bright yellow around the margins with deep green in the center (minor elements.)
  • Some flowers that can be planted this month are coleus, cosmos, gaillardia, impatiens, marigold, vinca, salvia and zinnia.
  • Move your poinsettia cuttings to a location that receives full sun. After mid month, pinch off the very tip of each shoot to encourage branching.
  • Give your poinsettia bushes their final pruning in the first week of September.
  • Herbs that can be planted in September include sweet basil, chives, garlic chives, sage, sweet marjoram, thyme, mint, and rosemary.
  • Bulbs to plant in September include; African lily (Morea sp.), amaryllis, crinum lily, society garlic, Aztec lily, calla lily, narcissus, shell ginger (Alpinia zerumbet), gladiolus, spider lily (Hymenocallis), and rain lily.
  • Vegetables that can be planted this month include; beans; sweet corn; cucumbers; eggplant; peppers; English & southern peas; summer squash; tomatoes; broccoli; cabbage; celery; collards; endive/escarole; kale; leek; lettuce; mustard; onions - bulbing, bunching or multipliers; turnips and sow radish seeds.
  • Water your citrus trees (1 inch of water each time,) every 7-10 days, during dry periods, to help prevent the fruit from splitting.
  • Vegetable seeds that can be sown in September for transplanting in October include beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts; cabbage, cauliflower, celery, collards, Chinese cabbage, kale; kohlrabi; leek; lettuce, mustard; English peas, spinach and turnips.
  • Visit the Brevard County Farmers Market every Thursday from 3-7 p.m. in the Equestrian Center at Wickham Park in Melbourne. To find out the most current information on what is happening at the farmers market check out the website at http://brevardcountyfarmersmarket.com/
  • Here is a list of some of the fresh produce that could be available at produce stands or farmer’s markets in September: avocado, Asian pear, atemoya, blackberries, carambola, eggplant; grapes, guava, mangoes; passion fruit; squash; sweet corn; tangerines and tangelos and tomatoes.