The bad part about the last time is you seldom realize it is the last time.  A couple of months ago my Aunt Sarah gave my wife and I a stack of pot holders.  That was not unusual.  For the past twenty years or so she has crocheted pot holders constantly.  She gave them to everyone she met.  Sally and I (and all of our kids) have drawers full of Aunt Sarah’s pot holders.  This Tuesday, her crocheting days came to an end.  I am deeply saddened by the loss of the woman that is most responsible for making me a gardener. Sarah Louise Chandler (Feb. 28, 1928-Aug. 25, 2015) was an amazing and accomplished woman who taught me the love of gardening.  She also made the best pickled beets, oyster pie and coconut pie in the world and she could crochet a pot holder for her doctor while waiting for him to see her!

I learned so many things from my Aunt Sarah. Her passing leaves a big hole in my heart! May God grant her eternal rest and let his perpetual light shine upon her!

Vegetables

• Continue planting seeds – In my area the average first frost date is Nov 16. Because of that this is the about the last weekend to plant anything that takes 75 days or more to mature.  You can still plant green beans, lima beans and black eyed peas and summer squash.
• Get ready to plant Sugar Snaps-Sugar snap peas are an American made improvement on European green peas. These peas can take more heat than their English cousins.  Because of this you can plant them here in September.  If you have never grown this amazingly tasty and productive pea you really need to try it this fall
• It is time to set out transplants – September 1 is the time to plant your transplants. While it is probably a little late for tomato transplants , it is the perfect time to put out broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussel sprouts and other brassicas.
• Mulch – Many of the transplants you put out now will be producing when the first freeze comes. Deep mulch will insulate the roots and help these plants survive the light freezes that we typically receive in late November and early December

Broccoli is my favorite fall vegetable. Plant it from transplants now and it will produce for you until spring.

Ornamentals

• Plant, plant, plant – Fall arrived this past Tuesday. I know this for two reasons.  First, we got a nice rain that encouraged my first oxbloods of the season to bloom. Second, the nurseries and big box stores are full of marigolds, vincas, chrysanthemums and croton.  All of these are great fall choices for your beds or pots.
• Prune roses – There are two times of the year to prune roses-Valentine’s Day and Labor Day. There are different types of roses and they all have different pruning requirements.  Check out this great article from Heirloom Roses about how to properly prune your roses this fall.  http://www.heirloomroses.com/care/pruning

Mike Shoup knows a few things about roses. He is the owner of the Antique Rose Emporium. He uses shears to prune “Old Blush” every fall

Trees and Lawns

• Fertilize your grass – September is time for the final fertilizing of the year. While all feedings are important the final feeding will help establish a thick root system that will help the grass survive through the winter.
• Plan your fall plantings – Fall is the time to plant shrubs, ornamental trees and fruit trees. While it is still a little early to plant (in my opinion) now is the perfect time to shop and plan for the trees and shrubs you will plant next months.
• Prepare perrenials for transplant-if you have trees or shrubs that you need to move this fall begin watering them deeply and regulary to make sure they are fully hydrated for their move
• Continue to baby your pecans! – The shells of pecans are beginning to fill with fruit. Keep your pecan trees well watered to ensure your best possible crop

Fall is the best time of the year to plant or transplant trees and shrubs

I share these posts on Our SimpleHomestead Blog Hop.  Be sure to stop by.  The “hop” has tons of great information from gardeners and homesteaders all over the world!