T H I N G S   T O   E X P E C T   A N D   T H I N G S   T O   D O

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From the Maricopa County Agriculture Extension web site:
http://cals.arizona.edu/maricopa/garden/html/t-tips/t-tips.htm

Things to Do - September and October

Turf
Apply one inch of water per week to Bermuda lawns

A light application of potassium on Bermuda in the fall will enable it to come out of dormancy in the spring with greater vigor.

Overseed established Bermuda grass lawns from mid October through mid November for a green winter lawn.

Vegetables
Prepare bed for fall planting

Plant Seeds September
Snap Beans, Beets, Bok Choy, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Chinese Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Chard, Collard Greens, Cucumbers, Endive, Kale, Kohlrabi, Lettuce (Head & Leaf), Leeks, Mustard, Green Onions, Peas, Radishes, Spinach, Turnips

Plant Seeds October
Beets, Bok Choy, Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts, Cabbage, Chinese Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Chard, Collard Greens, Endive, Kale, Kohlrabi, Lettuce (Head & Leaf), Leeks, Mustard, Onions (Bulb & Green), Parsnips, Peas, Radishes, Rutabagas, Spinach, Turnips

Plant Transplants September
Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Chinese Cabbage, Cauliflower, Celery, Chard, Lettuce (Head & Leaf)

Plant Transplants October
Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts, Cabbage, Chinese Cabbage, Cauliflower, Celery, Chard, Garlic, Kohlrabi, Lettuce (Head & Leaf)

Roses
Resume full fertilizing of established roses as the weather cools.

Through September hose off plants in the early morning to increase humidity and control spider mites

At the beginning of September add an iron supplement if roses show yellowing from iron deficiency

Watch for second season of powdery mildew

Fruit and Nut Trees
Late summer application of nitrogen fertilizer on citrus probably helps fruit sizing. This is more significant for fall ripening (navels & tangerines) than spring ripening (grapefruit and Valencia orange) varieties.

In September Apply nitrogen and zinc to pecan trees to produce normal size leaf growth and to enhance kernel development. Pecans also need more water than most other shade trees.

Landscape Plants
In September apply chelated iron to bottle brush, pyracantha, silk oak, and other plants with iron deficiency symptoms. In October, it is too late to fertilize freeze-sensitive plants such as citrus, hibiscus, bougainvillea, etc. However, early fall fertilization can help the recovery of summer-weary trees, shrubs, vines, ground covers, lawns and flowers. Nitrogen fertilizer should be adequate. Follow with good deep irrigation.

Cut off spent blooms to stimulate rebloom.

Cut back watering frequencies as plant needs decrease with shortening, cooling days

Plant winter hardy trees, shrubs and vines

Plant wild flowers

Pre-emergent herbicides can be applied from October through early December for winter annual weed control. Follow the package directions carefully for best results. DO NOT use pre-emergent herbicides where you will be planting seeds this season.

Don't List . . .
Do not dethatch Bermuda in the Fall. Dethatching should be done in the summer when the grass is actively growing.

Do not increase opportunities for fungal disease on turf by over watering or watering at night.

DO NOT OVER WATER which will result in root rots. Allow the soil to dry out between watering.


Maricopa County Master Gardener Volunteer Information
Last Updated November 2, 2004
Author: Lucy K. Bradley, Extension Agent Urban Horticulture, University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, Maricopa County
© 1997 The University of Arizona, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cooperative Extension in Maricopa County
Comments to Maricopa-hort@ag.arizona.edu 4341 E. Broadway Road, Phoenix, AZ 85040,
Voice: (602) 470-8086 ext. 301, Fax (602) 470-8092