Lower South
September, 2003
Regional Report
Time to Plant Cole Crops
Begin planting cole crops, such as broccoli, cabbage, kohlrabi, and collards. Water them in well with a dilute soluble fertilizer solution. Then keep them growing vigorously with regular feeding. Watch for looper caterpillars that will want to show up to spoil the show.
Prepare Soil for Wildflower Planting
Planning a mini wildflower meadow area for your landscape? Now is the time to get the spot ready for planting in late September or October. Wildflowers love sun and good drainage, with few exceptions. Lightly till the soil prior to planting. Mow turf and meadow areas very closely to help the seedlings receive maximum light and to minimize competition from existing weeds.
Clean Up Pests on Outdoor Houseplants
Houseplants that have spent the summer outdoors often bring pests inside when they are brought in for the winter. Check them over and make sure to get rid of pests like mites, aphids, scale, and mealybugs while they are still outdoors. Soap or oil sprays are often enough to clean up these pests.
Saving Seeds for Next Year
Collect seeds from non-hybrid annuals and perennials. Spread seeds on newspaper for a week to allow them to dry thoroughly, then store them in a sealed jar. For maximum storage life, put the jar in the refrigerator or better yet, the freezer.
Watch for Brown Patch
Watch for brown patch to begin appearing in St. Augustine lawns soon. It loves cool, rainy weather, which believe it or not is coming soon! Avoid overfertilizing and overwatering, which can encourage its development.
