Buy bulbs this month
for planting next month.

• For best selection, buy bulbs as soon as you see them in stores. Keep in a cool, dry place until time for planting (or pre-chilling) in October.
• When annuals -- especially petunias -- or perennials get leggy or scraggly, cut them back by one-third or more. It will not only make them look neater, but it will also often encourage a fresh flush of growth and/or bloom.
• Halt fertilizing of perennials. It will only encourage them to grow throughout the winter when they need to rest for best overall health.

Repair the Lawn -- September and October are an excellent time to reseed and repair lawns. You'll need to water as often as daily until the seed has sprouted and established. Wait to plant grass seed until October in warmer regions, when there are cooler temperatures and rain.

Repair the Lawn

Feeding and Deadheading Roses -- Roses are waking up again and resuming production. Keep them watered, deadheaded, and fertilized.

Feeding Roses

Deadheading Roses

Deadheading 101 -- Keep deadheading. For the most flowers and tidiest garden, deadhead daily.

Deadheading 101

Fertilizing Plants in Pots -- Continue to fertilize containers containing annuals and perennials.

Fertilizing Plants in Pots

Harvesting Vegetables -- If you're lucky, you'll have lots to harvest this month. However, high temperatures can cause some edibles to stop producing. Be patient, keep watering, and wait for cooler temperatures when production most likely will resume.

Harvesting Vegetables

• Even though grass growth has slowed, don't let it get more than 3 inches tall.

Bird Feeding -- Fall is the time overwintering birds establish their food sources. If you haven't already, put out your bird feeding equipment.

Bird Feeding

Fall Garden Guide -- For more information, check out our fall garden guide.

Fall Garden Guide