September is an in-between time of the year. Summer is not quite over and fall is not quite here. But, by mid-September it is certainly time to think about and to get ready for fall planting.

Before the fall planting can begin, there is a certain amount of garden maintenance to be performed. Start by removing tired annuals and vegetables. If there is any symptom of disease (rust, mildew, wilt) do not compost the plants. Dispose of sick plant material in your green waste trash cans and donate them to Allied Waste. You’ve heard that green tomatoes left on the vine and hung in the garage, or where-ever will ripen. This is total nonsense. They may turn red or orange but they will have no more flavor than when they were pulled green.

Do not do any dormant spraying or pruning at this time. If your dahlias or zinnias are mildewed, don’t waste time or effort spraying them because all the leaves will fall off in the next month or so, anyway.

September is a good time to see perennials and shrubs in bloom; things like Hibiscus, Buddleia, Salvia, Penstemon and so on. If you can find these plants in four-inch or one gallon containers and if there is a place in your garden, put them in now. The ground is warm and will remain so until almost November. The tops may not do much but the roots will be well developed and established by spring.

If your fall planting garden is an open area, it needs to be revitalized with organic matter. Spread one or two inches of Gold Rush (Mr. Ed’s personal favorite) or Bumper Crop over the entire area. Then sprinkle enough gypsum to look like a light snow on top of the organic matter. Finally spread about two pounds of Formula 49 fertilizer per 100 square feet over the entire area and dig it (or Rototill) all into a depth of six to eight inches.

Most gardeners think of bulbs when we talk of fall planting. The Narcissus group (daffodils, paper whites, jonquils, etc.), Dutch Iris and Snowdrops are among your best bets. They are all deer and gopher proof and will multiply and come back year after year. Snowdrops will even grow in a semi-shaded area. Tulips, Hyacinths, Crocus and some of their relatives need to be refrigerated for six to eight weeks before planting, and in the Bay Area will seldom multiply. They are best planted in pots and then discarded when they finish blooming. Narcissus and Dutch Iris, Snowdrops and even Grape Hyacinths will come back year after year and can grow through an annual bed of flowers (violas, alyssum, and pansy) or a low ground cover such as sand strawberry or ajuga.

In addition, there are numerous colorful annuals and perennials for the winter garden. The primroses come in a wide variety of color and sizes (try planting a whole bed of all one color). Pansies, violas, Iceland poppies, cyclamen and others are other good choices.

From seed, now is the time to plant sweet peas and California poppies.

All of these plants will thrive in the soil you previously prepared as will a wide array of winter vegetables. Now is the time to plant your favorite kale crops (cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, kale, Brussels sprouts) as well as any of your favorite leafy vegetables (spinach, chard, lettuce, parsley, bok choy and cilantro). Basil won’t make it. Fall is not the time to plant vegetables which develop from flowers (tomatoes, squash, etc.) except for peas, which are a fall and winter crop. Root vegetables do well in the fall and winter garden, too (turnips, onions, beets, parsnips, carrots, etc.).

Fertilize your winter garden at least once more about six weeks after planting. Use Formula 49 or Dr. Earth Vegetable fertilizer.

When your garden colors begin to fade in the fall, and you just aren't ready for plain ol' green, plant an Aster! Asters are great for late summer and fall bloom. The most popular variety is the New England Aster (Aster novae-angliae). It's bright 1 1/2 inch flowers bloom prolifically from August through October atop a two to four foot plant. The Aster produce large clusters of delicate daisy-like flowers in white, purple, lavender, pink or red.

Asters should be planted in moist well-drained soil in full sun, but they will tolerate light shading. The plants form broad bushy clumps, so plant them at least 18 inches apart. Mature clumps will need to be divided every 3 - 4 years in the early spring, or late fall after the flowering has finished. Pinch back the tops by 6-8 inches at least once during the summer, to create a bushier plant and to prolong the fall bloom. This pinching must be done prior to mid July, or it will have an opposite effect, and blooming will be reduced.

Name: Holly Daly

Position at Wegman's: Cashier

Hobbies: Hanging out with friends, backpacking, reading, and cooking

Favorite Food: Italian!!

Favorite plant or flower: Tuberose! The scent takes me away!

Favorite garden center product: Dr. Earth Organic Fertilizer

Holly's message to you: "Let gardening be therapeutic or it
won't be any fun!"

Trivia Question: According to the Guinness Book of World Records, how tall was the world's tallest tomato plant?

Question, answer, and winner from August 31st edition:

Question: What am I?

"I can stand extremely hot desert temperatures, as well as cold
temperatures to -25F. I can be eaten fresh, and I taste somewhat
like a small dry apple, or air dried, I taste like a date. Most
commonly, I am preserved, dried, sweet-pickled, stewed and used in
confection."

Answer: A JuJube

Winner: Kathy Alford