2450 S. Curry Street, Carson City, NV 89703Phone: 775-882-8600 Fax: 775-882-7285

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Fall Gardener's To-Do List

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    September

    Fall Planting
    September is a busy time for Northern Nevada gardeners. While summers’ glory is starting to look pretty tired and scraggly, there are many beautiful and colorful plants that come into their own glory now. As we enjoy the cooler days, the days are still warm enough to enjoy working outdoors. Planting in Northern Nevada can virtually occur anytime of the year as long as there is no snow on the ground. Fall is considered the best time to plant because the soil temperature is still warm and encourages faster root growth. Even when the plant material becomes dormant, the roots will continue to grow through the winter and when the first warm days of spring come fall planted plants are ready to take off and in the first few years will out perform plants that have been planted in the spring. Remember that plants and trees two years and younger need to be watered in the winter time. If your area does not experience measureable precipitation in any month November through February you should water everything once a month. Refer to the attached watering guide.
  • PLANTS AND TREES WITH FALL AND WINTER INTEREST
    For those who continue replenishing and replanting flower beds and containers there many choices to enhance your fall plantings and now is the time to enjoy the full impact of these plants. Annual color includes ornamental cabbages/kale, pansies, snapdragons, Sweet William, and purple fountain grass. Perennial color includes Autumn Joy sedum, dwarf plumbago, chrysanthemums, asters, and ornamental grasses. Many trees and shrubs can exhibit spectacular fall color. Refer to the tree and shrub handouts to select those that display the best fall color.
  • FALL BULBS FOR SPRING COLOR
    Fall bulbs are in however it is really too early to plant them in September. The best selection is in September so buy fresh fall bulbs then and store them in a cool dark place until planting time which usually is best around mid to late October. If they are in plastic packaging, remove them out of the plastic and store the bulbs in a brown paper bag. Work in organics and fertilizers whenever possible because in Northern Nevada we have poor soil quality.

    • OTHER HELPFUL HINTS FOR SEPTEMBER
     
  • Plant garlic and onions now to get the best size for next year.
  • Plant and enjoy cool season crops such as lettuce, chard, spinach, and broccoli
  • Watch for a hard freeze. Temperatures below 29 degrees can damage your irrigation system. Don’t forget to unscrew your hoses from the hose bib each night. Covering vegetables can prolong their productive life. Plastic makes a poor insulator. Use burlap, old blankets, etc. Don’t uncover your plants until the temperature is above 35 degrees.
  • Mid-September is the prime target date for seeding a lawn. The soil is still warm, the water is still warm and the cool nights and diminishing winds make it easier to get complete germination.
  • When bringing your houseplants, geraniums or other favorites indoors for the fall and winter treat them first with Systemic Houseplant Insect Control to prevent insect infestation in your home. This product is especially effective in treating those pesky fungal gnats.
  • Net your pond to prevent leaves from falling into your pond. As they breakdown they release by-products into the pond which are not good for fish and overall pond health.
  • Stop deadheading and pruning your roses until next April 15.
  • Cut back on watering and allow your plant material to harden off. However, remember throughout the winter if we do not experience rain or snow in soaking amounts you will need to be out watering once a month throughout the winter.

    October Gardener's To Do List

  • Fertilize the lawn with a Fall & Winter fertilizer. All plant material will benefit from a good feeding with 16-16-16.
  • Dig potatoes and glad bulbs up now. Clean out frozen annuals from the flower, vegetable and water gardens.
  • You may need to spray junipers and arborvitaes with a copper/sticker fungicide to control a disease which affects the tips of these plants. Spray again in November.
  • Water lawn areas, trees, shrubs, and perennial beds at least twice since this month is usually dry.
  • Now is the time to spray all broad-leafed evergreens with an anti- transpirant such as Wilt-Proof to prevent loss of moisture through the leaves. Don’t spray this type of product on blue spruces since it can change the blue color to a permanent green color. This can be done once a month throughout the rest of the winter.
  • Add sulphur and iron to your lawn and trees (particularly Oaks and Maples). Actually you can apply FST or Dr. Iron to all of your plants if live anyplace but Lake Tahoe. These products will help to lower the ph of the soil over the winter.
  • If your pond plants are planted in your pond, prune them back and leave them alone. If your pond plants are planted in containers prune them back and if they are water lily’s or deep water pond plants sink them to the bottom of the pond. For bog or shallow plants prune them back and and put them into the ground in a trench pot and all.
  • When the pond water temperature falls below 50 degrees discontinue feeding your fish.

    • November Gardener's To Do List

  • Our Christmas shop is open. We are featuring 20 all new theme trees with ornaments galore and an expanded line of Christmas accessories as well as beautiful pieces that will enhance your home decorating and make great gifts. This year, as before, we will be selling custom wreaths and table arrangements, live and cut Noble Fir Christmas trees, and fresh wreaths. The cut trees and wreaths will be here Thanksgiving weekend but can be reserved anytime for bests selection.

  • Bring in or cover your clay and concrete statuary. We have sealer that helps prolong the life of your investment. Keep a rock, concrete base or well-draining base under all concrete items. Place absorbent material such as burlap or a blanket in the basin of your fountain before covering it.
  • Install your pond heater and bird bath deicer.
  • Water at least once a month.
  • Plant Paperwhites and Amaryllis bulbs now so they are ready for Christmas.
  • Fertilize your yard one last time with 16-16-16.
  • Apply vole bait to control voles and mice.
  • Borers can come to the yard in firewood. These little creatures will live for a year in dead wood and then are able to attack freshly planted pines, spruce, cherry and other stone fruits in the Spring. Removal of the bark on the firewood helps eliminate these insects.
  • Spray with dormant disease spray now for fewer problems in the spring.
  • Heavy snows can pull down Arborvitaes or upright junipers, so light pruning or tying with thick green tie tape will help prevent winter damage.

    • December Gardener's To Do List

  • Water at least once a month.
  • Dig a hole for your living Christmas tree and put some soil in the garage for ease of planting in January. Remember to plan to keep your living Christmas tree no longer than 7 days in the house.
  • Spray Wilt-Proof on all broad leafed evergreens.
  • Keep your poinsettias out of cold drafts. Don’t overwater and give bright light. Moving your Christmas cactus around may make the buds and blooms fall off.

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