What to do in September

LAWN CARE
Fall rains and cooler weather can turn your lawn to a health green. You should continued cutting the grass at the recommended height. Fall is an excellent time to reseed the lawn with perennial grass seed and apply broadleaf weed killer to it.  Try to rake all the pine needles to prevent them from smothering the grass.  Natural organic fertilizer, such as compost is great to feed the lawn with and it is also a good time to aerate.

PLANTING FLOWERING BULBS
Approximately 6 weeks before the soil freezes, usually late September or early October you will want to plant your bulbs.  Earlier is better so the root systems has time to devlope before it gets really cold.  If you plant your bulbs too late, the plants may bloom later in the season.
When purchasing flowering bulbs, select big fat healthy ones and avoid any that appear moldy, dry or withered.  You will want to work fertilizer into the surrounding soil after you dig your whole.  The hole  should be about three times as deep as the bulb's diameter. Plant the bulb pointed side up, this is the stem of the plant.  Water well after planting and again if you have a dry fall.  Bulbs can be planted in groups for a more dramatic look.  Plant groups of bulbs together in one large hole.  You can create companion plantings by layering different types of bulbs from bottom to top, lightly covering each layer with sol.  After your flowers have bloomed in the spring let them die back on their own.  This creates a food source for next year.  Once they have finished flowering you can cut them back to gound level (it takes about two months for the flowers to fade).
FLOWERBEDS
You want to start prepping your flowerbeds for next year's growing season.  It is time to divide your perennial flowers such as daylilies, irises and peony.  Begin planting all of your spring blooming bulbs, like tulips, daffodils, crocus, lilies and hyacinths by the end of the month.  You must bring in all of your houseplants before the evening temperatures dip down to 45 degrees (F). Tropical plants will suffer if it gets below 50 degrees (F).  There are a few annual flowers that can be cut and rooted indoors for over the winter which included Begonias, coleus, geraniums, impatiens and lantana.  They can be propagated for growing outdoors next spring.  Dried arrangements can be made if you pick and preserve flowers, seed heads and pods.  For sowing next year you will want to collect annual and perennial seeds.  Cucumbers, eggplant, melons, peppers, squash and tomatoes you can continue harvesting.  Before the first frost is expected you will want to dig sweet potatoes, onions, garlic and horseradish.  The best options for fall planting are hardy, edible leaves and roots. Popular cool season veggies for Ohio include onions, peas, radishes, spinach, kale, bean, broccoli and collard greens. Pick all of your ripe fruit and store it for the winter. Clean off spent garden plants and spread compost if the area is not used for fall crops.