September

• Continue planting evergreens now.

• Take cuttings of annuals now to provide vigorous plants for overwintering.

• Dig herbs such as parsley, rosemary, chives, thyme and marjoram from the garden and place in pots now for growing indoors this winter.

• Divide peonies now. Replant in a sunny site and avoid planting deeply.

• Fertilize cool-season lawns. Make up to three applications between now and December. Do not exceed rates recommended by fertilizer manufacturer.

• Sow seeds of radish, lettuce, spinach and other greens in a cold frame to prolong fall harvests.

• Begin fall seeding or sodding of cool-season grasses. Seedbeds should be raked, dethatched or core-aerified, fertilized and seeded. Keep newly planted lawn areas moist, but not wet.

• Pinch out the top of Brussels sprout plants to plump out the developing sprouts.

• Harvest herbs now to freeze or dry for winter use.

• Bury or discard any spoiled fallen fruits.

• Monitor plants for spider mite activity. Reduce their numbers by hosing off with a forceful spray of water.

• Begin readying houseplants for winter indoors. Prune back rampant growth and protruding roots. Check for pests and treat if necessary. Houseplants should be brought indoors at least one month before the heat is normally turned on.

• Lift gladiolus when their leaves yellow. Cure in an airy place until dry before husking.

• Sow spinach now to overwinter under mulch for spring harvest.

• Pick pears before they are fully mature. Store in a cool, dark basement to ripen.

• Keep broccoli picked regularly to encourage additional production of side shoots.

• Tie leaves around cauliflower heads when they are about the size of a golf ball.

Adapted from the Missouri Botanical Garden calendar at www.mobot.org.