Brought to you by the Illinois Green Industry Association--the resource for industry professionals in Illinois--to provide garden tips to our valued gardening consumers in and surrounding Illinois.

Fall is for planting- trees, shrubs, bulbs, grass seed, mums, asters, pansies and the list goes on. The cooler temperatures, and more plentiful rainfall makes fall a wonderful time to plant. An added benefit to fall planting is that it gives you a head start for next spring. Plants that are planted in the fall will be all settled in and ready to grow when the ground thaws and temperatures warm up next spring.

Your local garden centers will have all kinds of great fall items to add color and interest to your garden. Hardy chrysanthemums, winter hardy pansies (bloom in the fall and again the following spring), shrubs, trees, and a whole lot more, are available! The Illinois Certified Nursery Professional (ICN Pro) at your garden center can help you find a perfect pansy, or a marvelous mum to add a spot of fall color to your garden!

Lawn

• Fall is also a good time to treat for weeds in your lawn. Broadleaf weeds can be sprayed once temperatures begin to decline. Fertilizer may also be applied depending on the condition of your lawn. It is a good idea to get advice from a professional at your local garden center before making lawn applications, to avoid unnecessary applications.
• Plant grass seed. Whether you just have a few patches to fill in, or if you want to re-do your entire yard, or do a new yard- September is the month to do it. Looking for a disease resistant, drought resistant turf? Try using a fescue blend rather than bluegrass.
• If you have trouble with compaction in your lawn, your lawn may benefit from core aeration. For more information on core aeration and how it can benefit your lawn, check with the ICN Pro at your garden center.

Garden

• September is a great month to plant a tree! Strategically placed trees can help reduce energy costs as well as add value to the property. The Illinois Certified Nursery Professional (ICN Pro) at your local garden center will be able to help you choose the tree that fits your site, as well as advise you on where to plant it.
• Bulbs will be arriving at your local garden center in September. There are many different kinds of bulbs - old favorites like tulips, hyacinth, daffodils, and crocus, and naturalizing bulbs like: anemone, snowdrop, snowflake, glory-of-the-snow, and so many more! Your ICN Pro will be able to help you figure out which bulbs will do best in your site and will also be able to help you figure out which end of the bulb is up!
• If you’ve been feeding your plants, like water lilies or roses, September is the month to stop. It is good idea to stop feeding them now so that they will harden off before winter begins.
• Mums will be showing their full glory in September. When you plant your fall mums, be sure to mulch around them. The mulch will help to insulate them when the cold winter months come around. The ICN Pro at your garden center will be happy to help you choose a site to plant your new mums and will also be able to give you helpful hints on how to care for your mums.

Insect & Disease

• Fall Webworms have been out and about recently. They are the big, ugly webs that form usually towards the tip of the branch. Inside the webbing there are many hungry caterpillars. The webworms will eat a lot of foliage, however they usually do not require treatment. Their feeding occurs late enough in the year that it does not harm the tree.
• We have had a lot of calls come into our nursery recently about bagworms. Bagworms are almost completely developed now – making it to late too treat for them. Bagworms are best treated in June with Sevin or BT. Check with your ICN Pro for recommendations for your area.

Water Gardens

• It’s almost time to start getting your water gardens ready for the fall and winter months. Now is the time to cut back on feeding your fish. It is also time to cover your pond with netting to help keep the falling leaves out.
• It is also time to start thinking about moving your tropical plants inside for the winter. You will want to do this before the first frost is expected!

Native Landscapes

• Asters and goldenrod should be in full bloom soon, making a bold fall statement!
• To put to bed an old myth—Goldenrod is NOT responsible for your hay-fever! Goldenrod has the unfortunate timing of blooming in conjunction with ragweed. The difference is Goldenrod is INSECT pollinated, and Ragweed is WIND pollinated …. This means that it is not likely that the pollen from Goldenrod is making you crazy.
• If you are thinking of establishing a native landscape, now is the time to start controlling the vegetation that is existing on the site. Seeding will typically take place in June, and you want your area to be clean and weed free before you seed!
• For tips and techniques on establishing a native landscape consult an ICN Pro.

Birds & Butterflies

• September is the month to stop feeding your hummingbirds. Hummingbirds migrate south for the winter, and although no one knows for sure exactly how they travel. It is a wise idea to stop feeding them in order to encourage them to begin migrating.
• September is the month to hang out your birdfeeders again (that is if you don’t feed through the summer months). Be sure that your feeders are clean to prevent spreading diseases to your fine feathered friends

Fall is for planting … so head on out to your garden center for trees, shrubs, bulbs, pansies, mums and great advice! Get to know your ICN Pro!

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