- Consider planting cover crops to provide “green manure” to the garden.
- Collect and store seeds from your garden.
- Learn about how and when to harvest watermelon and cantaloupe.
- Harvest potatoes as soon as tubers begin forming.
- Harvest garlic and onions once the tops have dried down. Allow them to dry for 2-3 weeks before storing.
- Store potatoes, garlic, and onions in a cool/dry location (32-40°F) away from apples.
- Plant trees and shrubs as the weather becomes cooler.
- Go hiking in the hills to enjoy autumn colors.
- Divide crowded, spring-blooming perennials.
- Consider composting fall leaves.
- Check pears for ripeness once the fruit twists off the tree easily and the seeds are dark colored, then allow them to finish ripening off the tree.
- Apply a slow-release lawn fertilizer early in September to provide long-lasting results throughout the fall.
- Remember that as temperatures cool, turfgrass requires minimal irrigation each week. See irrigation needs in your area.
- Plant new lawns or repair insect/diseased areas with grass seed, allowing 4-6 weeks for establishment before heavy frosts.
- Aerate compacted sites with a hollow core aerator when turfgrass is actively growing (September to October).
Pests and Problems:
