ROLLING HILLS GARDEN CENTER
VILLAGE GALLERY FLORIST
AND GIFT SHOPPE

“That old September feeling, left over from school days, of summer passing, vacation nearly done, obligations gathering, books and football in the air ... Another fall, another turned page: there was something of jubilee in that annual autumnal beginning, as if last year's mistakes had been wiped clean by summer.”

--- Wallace Stegner, Angle of Repose

“The first flash of color always excites me as much as the first frail, courageous bloom of spring. This is, in a sense, my season--sometimes warm and, when the wind blows an alert, sometimes cold. But there is a clarity about September. On clear days, the sun seems brighter, the sky more blue, the white clouds take on marvelous shapes; the moon is a wonderful apparition, rising gold, cooling to silver; and the stars are so big...

--- Faith Baldwin, Evening Star

“September smiled at her wonderful friends in all their colors and bright eyes and gentle ways. “You know, in Fairyland-Above they said that the underworld was full of devils and dragons. But it isn’t so at all! Folk are just folk, wherever you go, and it’s only a nasty sort of person who thinks a body’s a devil just because they come from another country and have different notions.”

--- Catherynne M. Valente

OPEN LABOR DAY: 8:00 A.M. TILL 2:00 P.M.

Notable Dates in September as found in the Old Farmer's Almanac online (https://www.almanac.com/content/month-september-holidays-fun-facts-folklore)

September 7—the first Monday in September—is Labor Day. Canadians also observe Labour Day.

September 11 is Patriot Day, held in honor and remembrance of those who died in the September 11 attacks of 2001.

September 13 is Grandparents Day. Honor your grandparents today—and every day!

September 17 is Constitution Day. This day celebrates the adoption of the U.S. Constitution, which occurred on September 17, 1787 (just five years prior to the founding of The Old Farmer’s Almanac, believe it or not!).

September 18 brings the start of Rosh Hashanah, at sundown.

September 21 is recognized as the annual International Day of Peace. Observances range from a moment of silence at noon to events such as peace walks, concerts, and volunteering in the community.

September 22 marks the start of fall! This year’s Autumnal Equinox falls on September 22 at 9:31 A.M. EDT. At this time, there are approximately equal hours of daylight and darkness.

September 27 is Yom Kippur, the holiest holiday in the Jewish calendar.

September 29 is Michaelmas. Michaelmas is an ancient Celtic “Quarter Day” which marked the end of the harvesting season and was steeped in folklore.

TEN THINGS TO DO IN THE GARDEN IN SEPTEMBER

1. Put Your Garden to Bed

September is the month to put your garden to bed by getting rid of what's left, packing away things you won't need until spring, and making sure everything is ready when you need it.

2. Attend to the Soil

Now is the time to do something about your soil. Find out, what if anything, is missing from your soil and amend it now. Then you will be ready to give all your plants the best growing experience come spring. Most County Extension Agencies offer free soil testing.

3. Reshaping and Cutting Back Perennials

Many of us are tempted to cut back our perennials as soon as they stop blooming. We should all wait until after the first frost so not to encourage any new growth on our plants. This way they truly go dormant only once.

4. Same for Trees and Shrubs

Trees and shrubs and all other woody plants should not be cut until they are completely dormant. Pruning too soon can encourage the start of new growth that will only be killed in the cold to come. Putting out this new growth can stress the plant. Stop fertilizing by the first of September to encourage the dormancy cycle to occur naturally.

5. Flower Bed Care

Complete your clean up of annual flower beds by the end of September. Begin to remove things like petunias, begonias, and impatiens. They may still look good, but their days are numbered. Clean your beds and prepare them for pansies and violas.

6.Summer Bulb Care

If colder winters are forecast for your area, you may want to dig up summer bulbs like dahlias, caladiums, cannas, tuberous begonias among others. Shake the dirt from them and store them in a cool dark place for the winter. They should not be exposed to freezing temperatures.

7. Harvest Any Remaining Vegetables

The summer vegetable garden season is really gone by now, but some plants may still be producing. Now is the time to harvest all of them including those green tomatoes. Wash tomatoes and allow to dry completely before storing. For just a few tomatoes, place them in a paper bag with a banana and store at room temperature out of direct sunlight. Avoid high humidity, which can lead to decay or fruit fly issues. Larger quantities can be placed in a cardboard box instead of a bag.

8. Plant New Trees and Shrubs

Fall is a great time to plant new trees and shrubs. Be sure to keep them well-watered if the autumnal rains fail to appear. Mulching or covering with pine needles will help the new roots come freezing temperatures. Soil should be checked for moisture through out the winter, as plants whose roots freeze wet have better survival rates than those that freeze dry.

9. Start a Salad Garden

Sow seeds to grow lettuce, spinach, arugula, and radishes. Collards, turnip greens, broccoli, and cauliflower can also be grown this time year. These vegetables grow well in raised beds, containers, or garden plots. It is a good idea to cover your crops with bird proof netting to discourage "varmints" from sharing in your bounty. Or at worse, put you in more control of sharing.

10. Plant Spring Flowering Bulbs

For beautiful displays of color starting in March and extending through April now is the time to get those bulbs in the ground. Crocus, daffodils, tulips, hyacinths, and others enrich our springs. Plan and plant those bulbs now, being sure you plant the correct end up.