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The Online Magazine FOR and ABOUT Southside Virginia

2/14/2026

Southside Gardener

This month's To Do List for the Gardener

 Contributed By William H. McCaleb

 Master Gardener Coordinator
 Virginia Cooperative Extension

September To-do list for the Landscape

   September, with its warm days and cool nights, is the ideal month for establishing, reseeding, rejuvenating, and fertilizing the lawn. Six or seven weeks of vigorous growth in the fall builds root systems, stores energy in the roots, and helps grass to overwinter and get off to a better start in the spring.

   Southside Virginia is a transition zone where both cool and warm season grasses grow. In the Piedmont area that we are in, cool season grasses, such as tall fescues, fine fescues and turf type perennial grasses should be planted. Tall fescues make a tough lawn, tolerate heat, and are the most extensively used grasses for lawns in this area. Use creeping red fescue seed for shady areas.

   To completely redo an old lawn, try the following:

1. Mow the lawn area very short and rake
   
   
2. Apply Round-Up
   
   
3. Wait until the area turns brown (about 1 week)
   
   
4. Use a slit seeder or core aerator to break up the ground and provide seed to soil contact.
   
   
5. Apply a balanced fertilizer formulated for FALL application.
   
   
6. Apply a pelleted limestone also at this time, if needed. A soil test will tell you whether you need lime. Liming is best done in the fall.
   
   
7. Cover bare spots with straw.
   
   
8. Water thoroughly and sprinkle as often as possible until the young grass is established, because the top layer of soil must stay constantly moist.
   
   

   For a lawn that is in good condition at the end of the summer, with few weeds and no crabgrass, only over seeding, moderate fertilizing and liming, if needed, are necessary.

 PLANT

   Plant peonies in holes that were prepared last month. Plant root divisions so “eye” is 1 � inch below surface of soil. Firm soil around root division and water well. If planted properly, peonies need not be disturbed for years. They do not do well surrounded by ground cover or tree roots.

   Plant spring blooming shrubs, ground covers and new perennials.

   Transplant or set out evergreens after a good rain.

   Start planting Japanese and Siberian iris. They prefer a moist, humus-rich, acid soil.

 PRUNE

   Clip hedges for the last time this season. Make sure that growth at the base of the plant is wider than at the top. This encourages thick growth from the base.

 FERTILIZE

   Feed roses with a good rose fertilizer during the first part of September. Continue to water and spray to promote healthy plants.

 CHORES

   Prepare new beds for fall and spring planting.

   Before moving houseplants indoors for the winter, wash them with a strong hose spray, and spray with Insecticidal soap so you don’t bring in unwanted guests. Clean the outside of the pots with a 1-9 mixture of bleach and water. It is important to bring the plants into the house now, so they will become adjusted before the heat is turned on. Most houseplants are tropical or sub-tropical so be sure you don’t subject them to low night time temperatures which we generally see in September.

“Exercise for free – Grow A Garden This Year”

   If you have questions about your landscape plants, you can also call the Extension Office and ask to speak to a Master Gardener or the Horticulture Technician.

_____________________

William H. McCaleb
Program Assistant, ANR
Master Gardener Coordinator
Virginia Cooperative Extension
171 S. Main Street
P.O. Box 757
Halifax, VA 24558-0757
434-476-2147
fax: 434-476-7777
http://www.ext.vt.edu