September Gardening Chores by Zone

September Gardening “To Do” List by Zone

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 deep waterings
Dethatch and aerate lawns
Sow salad greens and get the coldframe ready
Clean up rose bed and apply fungicide one last time to mildew and blackspot 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
Dethatch 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 bareroot peonies

Zone 4

Harvest apples and store in a cool place
Plant garlic
Dethatch 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 bareroot 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
Dethatch and aerate the lawn
Dehead 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 remulch
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 bareroot trees and shrubs
Order sweet pea seedlings for fall planting
Plant herbs and groundcovers as the weather cools

Zone 8

Plant bareroot 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