SEPTEMBER
* Last chance to lift, divide and replant irises.
* Keep up with weeding; place weeds gone to seed in garbage.
* Deadhead annuals and some perennials for continued bloom.
* Continue to water on a regular schedule.
* Continue fertilizing annual plantings and containers.
* Discontinue fertilizing trees, shrubs, and roses.
* Stop deadheading hardy roses in late August.
* Carefully remove mildewed or black-spotted foliage into plastic garbage bags for disposal.
* Take geranium cuttings, etc., before first frost.
* Acquire and plant spring bulbs as soon as possible.
* Keep containers going as long as possible by covering them or placing them indoors if frost is predicted.
* Assemble a supply of old towels, sheets, etc., for frost covers.
* Following overnight frosts, mist tender flowers with sprinkler before the sun touches them; you may save some of them.
* Cut flowers that preserve well and save them for winter containers (e.g. globe thistle, baby’s breath, nigella)
OCTOBER
* Cut down perennials and annuals and chop for compost unless diseased (garbage) or seed heads are ornamental. Save some seeds heads for winter containers. (Poppies!)
* Soak all roses, shrubs and trees deeply before freeze-up.
* Rake leaves off lawns, then mow grass to a lower height.
* Stockpile leaves for mulching or composting, or rake them directly on to flower beds.
* Shred leaves in a chipper/shredder, or run over them with a lawnmower.
* Spread mulch in a deep layer in shrubbery and perennial borders; evergreen perennials only need springy conifer branches and snow.
* Mulch newly planted bulbs and other spring-flowering perennials.
* Protect tender roses with large bottomless pails or styrofoam cones filled with peat moss or dry leaves.
* Bury any still unplanted pots of plants up to their rims in soil, or place in a cold frame and insulate with dry mulch.
* Shade cold frames from winter and early spring sun.
* Empty soil from ceramic containers or store inside.
* Put up clean birdfeeders and fill up with seed.
* Find the snow shovel! Use as much snow as possible as mulch.
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