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September Zone Information

Zone 1

• Sow wildflower seeds

• Water to winterize trees and shrubs

• Clean up vegetable and perennial gardens

• Plant spring-blooming bulbs

• Apply winterizing formula lawn fertilizer (with high potassium)

• Clean out greenhouse and sterilize bench tops

• Sow salad greens and make or buy a cold frame for frost protection

• Bring in bonsai, scented geraniums, poinsettias and Christmas cactus and set up grow lights if necessary

• Take cuttings of annuals and herbs for indoor rooting

• Clean off birdfeeders; clean out and put away birdbaths for the winter

Zone 2

• Prune tomato roots to hasten ripening

• Winterize trees and shrubs with a deep watering

• De-thatch and aerate lawns

• Sow salad greens and get the cold frame ready

• Clean up rose bed and apply fungicide one last time to mildew and black spot prone varieties

• Harvest apples; put spoiled fruit in compost pile

• Clean off birdfeeders and restock with seed

• Deadhead chrysanthemum plants to prolong bloom

• Plant garlic for harvest next summer

• Sow wildflower seed for bloom next spring

Zone 3

• Divide peonies and other spring and summer-blooming perennials

• Plant perennials

• Plant bare-root and containerized trees and shrubs

• Sow wildflower seed for spring bloom

• Plant spring-blooming bulbs

• De-thatch and aerate lawns

• If September rainfall is scarce, water trees and shrubs to keep them supple and prevent winter damage

• Clean and restock birdfeeders

• Plant garlic for harvest next summer

• Set out bare root peonies

Zone 4

• Harvest apples and store in a cool place

• Plant garlic

• De-thatch and aerate the lawn

• Clean out rose beds and apply fungicide one last time to susceptible varieties

• Plant perennials

• Move tender houseplants, etc. indoors after rinsing and repotting, and set up a grow light to supplement natural light

• Clean and restock birdfeeders

• Begin to move tropical water lilies and other tender aquatics indoors

• Plant spring-blooming bulbs; refrigerate those you intend to force

• Set out bare root peonies

Zone 5

• Set out transplants of cool-weather vegetables

• Plant winter-hardy pansies and fall annuals (calendula, dianthus, ornamental cabbage and kale)

• Plant tag teams of perennials and spring-blooming bulbs that will complement each other or bloom in sequence next season

• Water trees and shrubs when rainfall is scarce to "winterize" them

• De-thatch and aerate the lawn

• Dead head chrysanthemum plants to keep flower buds forming through the fall

• Clean out rose beds; apply fungicide; leave hips for winter color and bird food

• Prune summer-bearing raspberries

• Mow back strawberry plants; remove weeds and re-mulch

• Move tender houseplants, etc. indoors after rinsing and repotting, and set up a grow light to supplement natural light

Zone 6

• Set out cool-weather vegetable transplants, including salad greens, broccoli, kale and cabbage

• Plant garlic and leeks

• Prune cane fruits such as raspberries and blackberries

• Plant winter pansies and fall annuals (calendula, dianthus, ornamental cabbage and kale)

• Plant tag teams of perennials and spring-blooming bulbs that will complement each other or bloom in sequence next season

• As tops die back, harvest potatoes, onions and garlic

• Plant peonies

• Plant fall-blooming bulbs to brighten up fading window boxes, planters and in drifts among ornamental grasses

• Continue to harvest herbs, grasses and flowers for drying

• Divide peonies, bearded iris and other spring- and summer-blooming perennials.

Zone 7

• Set out transplants of cool-weather vegetables

• Prune cane fruits such as raspberries and blackberries

• Plant winter pansies and fall annuals (calendula, dianthus, ornamental cabbage and kale)

• Plant peonies

• Plant fall-blooming bulbs to brighten up fading window boxes, planters and in drifts among ornamental grasses

• Continue to harvest herbs and flowers for drying

• Divide peonies, bearded iris and other spring- and summer-blooming perennials

• Plant bare root trees and shrubs

• Order sweet pea seedlings for fall planting

• Plant herbs and groundcovers as the weather cools

Zone 8

• Plant bare root trees and shrubs

• Order sweet pea seedlings for fall planting

• Set out second crop of tomato and pepper plants

• Sow seeds of green beans, squash, pumpkins and cucumbers

• Divide bearded iris and other overcrowded spring- and summer-blooming perennials

• Prune cane fruits

• Continue to harvest herbs and flowers for drying

• Sow seeds of perennials and keep soil moist if rainfall is scarce

• Start cool-weather vegetables from seed now or set out store-bought transplants later in the month

• Plant winter pansies and fall annuals (calendula, dianthus, ornamental cabbage and kale

Zone 9

• Order sweet pea seedlings for fall planting

• Plant fall- and winter-blooming perennial plants

• Prune summer-flowering shrubs and vines

• Plant winter pansies and fall annuals (calendula, dianthus, ornamental cabbage and kale) later in the month

• Deeply irrigate trees and shrubs every few weeks

• Plan for spring bulb gardens by seeking out specialty bulbs (species tulips, Dutch iris, anemone, ranunculus) that thrive in rainy winter, dry summer climates

• Groom and fertilize hanging basket and container plants to keep them thriving through the fall

• Sow cool-weather vegetable seeds

• Clean out rose beds and reapply fungicide to disease-prone varieties

• Sow seeds of perennials and keep soil moist if rainfall is scarce

Zone 10

• Order roses for fall planting

• Sow cool-season vegetable seeds

• Prune summer-flowering shrubs and vines after bloom

• Sow seeds of perennials and keep soil moist if rainfall is scarce

• Deeply irrigate trees and shrubs every few weeks

• Plant fall- and winter-blooming perennials

• Groom and fertilize hanging basket and container plants to keep them thriving through the fall

• Set out second round of tomato and pepper plants

• Sow seeds of green beans, squash, pumpkins and cucumbers

• Clean out rose beds, prune lightly and reapply fungicide to disease-prone varieties

Zone 11

• Sow seeds of desert wildflowers

• Groom and fertilize hanging basket and container plants to keep them thriving through the fall

• Sow seed of cool-weather vegetables

• Order roses for fall planting

• Set out second round of tomato and pepper plants

• Sow seeds of green beans, squash, pumpkins and cucumbers

• Deeply irrigate trees and shrubs every few weeks

• Clean out rose beds, prune lightly and reapply fungicide to disease-prone varieties

• Continue to harvest summer vegetables to encourage more fruits to form

• Build a compost pile for fall soil improvement