september activities
September is the month to expand your flower beds or make changes to established ones: the weather does not stress the plants and as they slow down their metabolic processes to prepare for dormancy they don’t mind the diminished amount of nutrients that comes with growing new root systems.
Root division is an easy way to multiply your plant stock and it works for almost allperennials, with a few exceptions. For instance, hellebores and lady’s mantle don’t like their roots disturbed, whereas daylilies, crane’s bill, hostas, irises and coral bells take tonew places like weeds.
The plants will tell you when they need dividing: they start looking overcrowded, their bloom suffers and sometimes the clump center dies out, leading to a donut shape growth pattern. You don’t have to dig up the entire root ball, just separate a small section with the spade; this way you won’t disturb the plant more than absolutely necessary.
If you want to plant seeds for perennials and frost hardy annuals, relocate mature plants, or start cuttings of your favorite unpatented roses (see mason jar method here), do it before the winter. These plants are adapted to go through freezes and their overall performance improves when you provide them with conditions close to their natural life cycles.
I don’t recommend planting perennials you never grew before in the fall. In my experience they have too much trouble adjusting to new a growing medium and a different climate while preparing for dormancy.
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