September Tips for Lawns and Houseplants
As the weather cools this autumn, it's the perfect time to garden. Houseplants and lawns, in particular, need special attention.
Fall care for cool-season lawns.
The work you do now on your bluegrass, ryegrass or fescue lawns will pay off big time later this fall and next spring.
Fertilize. Most important, apply a winterizer lawn fertilizer. Fertilizing now will make sure your lawn looks great this fall and greens up early next spring. If you have weeds in your lawn, use a pre-emergent. It will kill annual and perennial weeds now so they don't come back in spring.
Aerate and dethatch. If your lawn is thinning and weak-looking, aerate prior to fertilizing. If it has a thick layer of thatch (the spongy mat of organic debris between the leaves and roots that blocks water and air penetration), use a vertical mower or dethatcher to remove it. Both aerators and dethatchers can be rented at local rental yards.
Plant. Fall is also the best time to plant cool-season lawns from sod or seed, so start a new lawn or repair thin areas of your existing turf. You can also overseed warm-season lawns with cool-season grasses to keep them green all winter in southern areas.
Water and mow. Don't let up on regular lawn care. Water less as the days get cooler, but don't let your lawn dry out. Mow regularly.
Control grubs. Late summer and fall can be the most active time for grubs. If you have seen those irregular brown spots or have found grubs, apply Bayer Advanced™ 24-Hour Grub Killer Plus Granules. Its highly effective formula offers overnight results against grubs. Nothing works faster for control of lawn grubs.
Caring for houseplants.
The coming winter months can be particularly tough on houseplants. As indoor heaters come on, the air dries out and plants are subject to a variety of stresses from a lack of humidity, less light, cold drafts and insect pests. And for many, this comes right after spending a long, hot summer indoors. For the lucky ones that have spent the summer outdoors, it's a shocking change of conditions. But fear not, here are some things you can do now to make sure your houseplants make it through winter healthy and happy.
Move inside plants outdoors for a breath of fresh air. Take all your plants outdoors to a shady area on a patio, porch, deck or driveway. Daytime temperatures over 40 degrees are best, and there shouldn't be any threat of frost. Unless you live in milder southern areas, you'll want to bring your plants back inside at night, so it's best to start early in the day. This way pots will have time to drain, and foliage will be dry before you come back indoors.
Wash off the leaves. Whether they've been inside or outside, most plants will have a layer of dust on the leaves. Use a hose to thoroughly rinse off the foliage, both upper and lower leaf surfaces. With delicate plants like African violets, you can clean the foliage with a gentle spray from a watering can or mister.
Flush salts from the soil. Fertilizing plus frequent watering often leads to salt build-up in container soils, and excess salts can burn foliage. To leach salts, fill the pots with water, then let them drain thoroughly. Repeat this process at least five times.
Fertilize and control pests. Examine your plants carefully for insect pests, paying special attention to the underside of leaves. To control pests, use Bayer Advanced™ Dual Action Rose & Flower Insect Killer Ready-To-Use. Fertilize with Bayer Advanced™ Triple Action All Purpose Plant Food Granules.
Transplant. A larger pot and fresh soil will do wonders for most houseplants, especially those that have been growing vigorously outdoors all summer. To ensure healthy growth all winter, fill the new pot with Bayer Advanced™ All-In-One Potting Mix Potting Mix (product discontinued). It includes timed-release fertilizer, systemic insect control and a moisture-release system that promotes strong root growth — everything your houseplants need in one convenient package.
Once you have given your houseplants this new lease on life, move them back inside to a well-lit location protected from drafts. Keep the plants moist, and do everything you can to increase humidity (mist plants often, run a humidifier, or place plants on pebble-lined trays filled with water).
Products Mentioned In This Article
Bayer Advanced
