Throughout the Pacific Northwest and southern Alaska the ordering of spring-blooming bulbs is the first consideration in September gardening. Other garden activities vary in timing according to the climatic sub-division you happen to live in. First killing frosts usually hit Idaho, and eastern Oregon, and Washington in September. Between the Cascades and Coast Range killing frosts come in October or November and along the Oregon and Washington coast in December. In all these places the fall chores are more or less the same. It’s only the timing that differs.
The Dutch bulbs usually hit our market early in September. Domestic crops reach the market from mid-September on. Small bulbs such as crocus, scillas, and grape hyacinths should be planted as soon as possible to avoid drying out. Large bulbs can be handled later if it is more convenient.
The revivals. There seems to be a growing trend to rediscover items that were popular in old-fashioned gardens. One example is the wide range of alliums which are effective in rockery plantings. The liatris or blazing star has also regained popularity.
Get lily bulbs into the ground as soon as possible after receiving them, since they are never entirely dormant at this season. Other fall bulbs can be held out of the ground longer.
Pot up bulbs intended for indoor forcing and begin moving inside any house plants you summered outdoors. Try to readjust them gradually to indoor light, humidity, and temperature. This has a lot to do with how well your pet poinsettias or cyclamen perform in season.
Annuals. Clean up the beds as soon as the show is over. Pull out the plants and compost all but those that are diseased. Burn these. Cut back snapdragons and, if you like, pot them and move them indoors for winter bloom.
In the rock garden give plants that need dry winter conditions a mulch of rock chips or sand and use a peat mulch or compost on those that need a little gentle feeding. Check for mole runs and treat with repellants to prevent winter damage by mice and other rodents in the tunnels.
Plant or transplant camellias, rhododendrons, and other broad-leaved evergreens: skimmias, aucubas, and pernettyas are a few.
Strawberries. When Fall rains start west of the Cascades, set out plants.
Sow cover crops in the vegetable garden or lawn areas you intend to dig up and reseed next spring.
Rake up fallen fruit and leaves from under trees. Prune the trees lightly to shape them and clip off twigs of cherries and peaches that have been damaged by brown rot.
Spray or dust roses against mildew and black spot. Nip off spent blooms. Cut back canes on climbers that are getting out of bounds but west of the Cascades postpone heavy rose pruning until next spring.
In the vegetable garden. Sow seeds of leafy vegetables. Dig horse radish for use and replant short sections for next season’s crop. Divide rhubarb.
by D Collins – 61643
