Coastal Region – Brad Fowler
- September is a good time to consider applying an ant bait to help control those pesky fire ants. Make sure to read and follow the instructions on the label of the pesticide you are using.
- As we start getting later into September, it is probably a good idea to reduce the amount you are irrigating the lawn with the possibility of cooler temperatures and more rainfall in the coming weeks.
- Keep a close eye on your turf for signs of large patch and other fungus. Lawn diseases can be prevalent in turf this time of year and it is important to catch the disease and treat it before the turf goes dormant.
- Late September through the beginning of October is normally the best time to apply preemergent herbicides for control of winter annual weeds. Preemergent herbicides help control many annual grassy weeds and some annual broadleaf weeds.
- Start planting your fall garden using vegetables like lettuce, collards, and cabbage. Cool season vegetables can grow well past our first freezes, but it is important to start them early enough that they can reach maturity before the temperature drops too low.
- Begin thinking about what trees, shrubs, and even bulbs you may want to plant in the fall. Getting a plan together early can save a lot of headaches when the time comes to install your new plants.
Make sure to get a good plan together before planting your fall garden.
Brad Fowler, ©2022, Clemson Extension
Cabbage is a great addition to the fall garden.
Brad Fowler, ©2022, Clemson Extension
Midlands Region – Carmen Ketron
- It is time to apply pre-emergent herbicides as a preventative measure against annual winter weeds in warm-season lawns. In the Midlands, apply pre-emergent between September 15 and October 1 or when nighttime temperatures reach 55 to 60 °F for four consecutive days.
- Increasingly wet weather in the Midlands has reduced the need to water lawns and gardens as frequently. Prevent overwatering by monitoring rainfall and adjusting automatic sprinklers. Check grass for signs of stress and irrigate based on those results instead of on a strict schedule. This irrigation approach will help prevent overwatering and reduce the chance of fungal diseases as the weather gets cooler.
- Keep an eye out for late summer insect pressure, such as fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) in bermudagrass turf and on young fall vegetables.
- Stay on top of weed management by choosing a weed reduction strategy that will work to prevent weeds from overwintering in the garden. For example, seeding cover crops in seasonal garden beds this fall is a great approach to reduce weed pressure and improve soil health.
- September is prime time to plant fall vegetables. Follow the planting calendar for the best results. For a beginner garden, plant broccoli, cabbage, and collard transplants in the vegetable garden. Plant easy options such as lettuce, mustard, carrots, and radish seeds directly into the ground every two weeks for a continuous fall harvest.
Fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) on tomato plant.
Carmen Ketron, ©2022, Clemson Extension
Late summer garden mulched with straw to keep weeds down in the walkways.
Carmen Ketron, ©2022, Clemson Extension
A garden field planted in buckwheat and Sudangrass to reduce weed pressure and promote pollinator biodiversity.
Carmen Ketron, ©2022, Clemson Extension
Upstate Region – Stephanie Turner
- If you noticed many weeds in your lawn in late April/early May, then now is the time to prevent their return. Control many types of winter annual weeds by applying a preemergence herbicide in September with a second application 8 to 10 weeks later. Follow all label directions on the product, including application rate and instructions for adequately watering the product into the soil.
- Plant vegetables like broccoli, collards, cabbage, kale, spinach, radish, turnips, and others for the fall and winter vegetable garden.
- Plant winter-hardy annuals like pansies, violas, ornamental cabbages, and others for added color in the winter landscape. Installing these plants now allows them to establish and fill in before their growth slows with lower temperatures.
- Use fire ant bait to control fire ants. A granular application of bait in September and again in May is generally sufficient to reduce ant populations enough for most homeowners’ preferences. Always follow the label when applying any pesticide.
- Inventory any leftover pesticides in your garage or shed. This fall, the South Carolina Department of Agriculture (SCDA) is offering South Carolina residents the opportunity to dispose of outdated, unusable, or unwanted pesticides safely. For additional information, contact SCDA’s John Stokes at 803-737-9696 or jstokes@scda.sc.gov.
- Allow some flowers to set seed. Collect seeds from various species like coneflower, milkweed, black-eyed Susan, daylily, coreopsis, and others. Alternately, leave some seeds for the birds to enjoy.
- Take cuttings of tender annuals to save plants from the first frost. Coleus, basil, begonia, alternanthera, sweet potato vine, verbena, and others are easy to root and keep as houseplants until spring.
- Make a plan to move tender houseplants indoors before temperatures drop. Many houseplants experience injury or stress at temperatures below 50 °F. For the upstate, our first frost can arrive anytime from mid-October to early November. However, nighttime temperatures can drop well before then.
Fire ant mound in mulched area of vegetable garden.
Joey Williamson ©2010 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Collards growing in a home garden.
Barbara H. Smith, ©2015 HGIC, Clemson Extension
The dark center on some pansies is called a “face.”
Barbara H. Smith, ©2015 HGIC, Clemson Extension
