It’s time to begin planting seeds for fall vegetables, flowers and ornamentals, and wildflowers.
Where in the world has the year gone? Our young helpers are already back in school sharing how they got to help in the garden.
There are a variety of things to do in September.
[image id="23316" title="Luedecke" linkto="file" ] Bill Luedecke and daughter Martelle offer advice to Highland Lakes gardeners.1. Begin planting the seeds for fall vegetables such as Asian greens, beets, Chinese cabbage, carrots, chard, collards, corn, garlic, kale, kohlrabi, lettuce, mustard greens, peas, shallots, and turnips.
2. Set out vegetable plants such as broccoli, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, endive, lettuce, and mustard.
3. Plant flower/ornamental seeds such as alyssum (Lobularia maritima), calendula (Calendula officinalis), cornflower (Centaurea cyanus), delphinium/larkspur (Delphinium), hollyhock (Alcea), Johnny jump-up (Viola tricolor), liatris/blazing star (Liatris spicata), love-in-a-mist (Nigella damascene), pansy (Viola tricolor var. hortensis), poppy (Papaver somniferum), snapdragon (Antirrhinum), stock and sweet peas (Lathyrus odoratus).
4. Plant wildflower seeds late this month and early October (lots more on this next time). Begin to think and plan where you want to put wildflowers. Remember when planning: If you are going to put out corn gluten, do NOT plant wildflower seeds in the same location. Do you still have the seeds you gathered earlier?
5. Set out artichoke crown transplants.
6. Divide perennials such as daylilies, bearded iris, shasta daises, violets, wood ferns, liriope, and cannas. This is a great time to share these with family, friends, and fellow gardeners (hint, hint). Before you divide your irises, cut the leaves at a slight diagonal about 6 inches off the ground. This will help them to be even healthier and more vibrant next flowering season. Give them a couple of days to get used to their new hairdo, then divide.
7. Have you begun your compost pile?
8. Check the mulch around your plants. We still have plenty of heat left on the calendar, and we need to protect our plants. Those of you who were blessed with rain, double check your mulch. The rains might have washed some of the mulch away or redistributed it.
BIRD WATCH
When you are in your garden, listen to the birds: They have lots of stories to tell.
One morning, while pruning mint, all got quiet. Standing perfectly still, holding my breath for what was going to happen next. Coyotes began running by about 50 feet away. Whoosh. After they had left, T-Rex (king of the roadrunners around here) flew to the top of a tree. T-Rex made this loud announcement. Three seconds later, all the birds started singing again. Coast was now clear.
GENTLE REMINDER
As we all know, seeds have different means of dispersal. Some fly in the wind to new locations. Some are eaten by birds and “randomly distributed.” Some stick to our shoelaces. When you are picking the stickers out of your shoe laces, don’t just flick them on the ground — that might be where the next sticker plant grows.
Keep your souls and soles in your garden!
Remember the True Master Gardener: Jesus said, “I am the vine; my Father is the Gardener.” John 15:1
Contact Bill at The Luedecke Group Realtors at (512) 577-1463 or email him at bill@texasland.net. Contact Martelle Luedecke at (512) 769-3179 or luedeckephotography@gmail.com.
