Years ago an authority recommended that peonies be planted at 9:00 A.m. on September 15. Although the timing need not be that exact, the sooner this job can be completed in September the better.
One caution: don’t pile organic matter over the newly set plants to “protect” them. They don’t need it and botrytis blight spores can winter over in the mulch.
Pansy Seedlings
These should be well rooted in the cold frame by now. Be ready to protect them with a hotbed sash when freezing weather arrives. English daisies and forget-me-nots need about the same care.
Late-sown Vegetables
If extra cold frame space is available, sow radishes for eating up to the time snow flies. MATCHLESS or BIBB lettuce can also be seeded in frames.
Herbs Indoors
Transplant parsley, mint, chive, and other herbs into pots for winter use. Plunge pots in soil up to the rims and let the plants get over the shock of transplanting in the open air. When frost threatens, bring them in.
Digging Summer Bulbs
When the foliage of gladiolus and other summer flowering bulbs turns yellow and dies down, dig them, dry them in the sun for a day or two, and cut off the tops. Dust with captan to kill disease spores.
Killing Weeds
To control chickweed, knotweed, and Poa annua in lawns, apply 10 pounds of arsenate of lead to 1,000 square feet of turf anytime from the end of September to October 15. These weeds are winter annuals that grow all winter long but are checked by the above application. Spring applications merely kill the plants after they have scattered seeds.
44659 by R. Milton Carleton