Shine on

September 2014

Pickaway to Garden

“Shine on,

By Paul Hang

Shine on Harvest Moon Up in the sky….” These words from an early 1900’s song speak of love. I’d like to speak of harvest. The Harvest Moon occurs on September 9^th, quite early. Tradition names the full moon closest to the Autumnal Equinox the harvest moon. The equinox happens September 23^rd this year. Given the moon’s path the harvest moon is special because the time between sunset and the rising of the full moon is shorter for several days. Other full moons of the year do not occur as close to sunset for that many days. It is also a super moon, given its closeness. But enough of astronomy let’s talk agronomy. It’s called the harvest moon because the extra light gave farmers more time to harvest their crops. That was important when agriculture was mostly a hand labor intensive occupation. With mechanization and lights on farm implements the harvest moon doesn’t serve the same purpose. It still serves as a stunning sight, a reminder of changing seasons and of course as an occasion for proclaiming your love.

The September full moon also reminds us that the time of harvest is upon us. We will be harvesting produce from the garden, tomatoes, beans, onions, squash and all manner of things. If you harvest more than you can eat try preserving it or give it away. Of course the plants have been harvesting too. They have harvested sunlight, water and minerals and turned them into leaves, stems and buds and stored them in their in roots, fruits, nuts and seeds. The plants, as is all nature, are preparing for winter. The bugs and insects who won’t survive the freeze are laying the eggs of the next generation. We won’t harvest them until next year.

Our usual droughty July and August have parceled out the rain sporadically. West of town corn fields can be brown already and a half-mile further the corn is as green as June. A couple weeks ago while returning from the observation blind at Calamus Swamp I was startled by a blazing beacon of red. I thought it was a reflector or caused by some other inorganic blaze of scarlet. Through the binoculars it was clear it was a bloom. It was a Cardinal flower. I have tried several times to grow it without success. The moist soil it requires was perfect at the swamp even though we had been without rainfall for weeks.

My water bill reflects the amount of water I have to use this summer. Watering the equivalent of at least an inch per week is necessary for plants to thrive. This is particularly crucial for newly installed plants. Established plants like our lawns can do with less. Rain seldom obeys our wishes so we have to decide where the water will do the best in that small amount of the earth under our stewardship.

Things to do in the garden:

As plants "give up the ghost" remove them from the garden. If they are annuals pull them up, if perennials cut them off unless you want their winter interest. Dispose of the debris in a "hot" compost heap, bury them or put them in the trash. In the butterfly garden you will surely want to leave the host plants as they are harboring the overwintering eggs and larvae of next year’s butterflies. Those plants that you don’t want to re-seed by all means remove the seed heads before their seeds are scattered. Or, leave them for the birds. Clean up old fruit from around fruit trees.

Collect, dry, and store seeds for next year. Use only heirloom varieties, hybrids will not grow true. Harvest and cure winter squash and gourds if they are ready. Leave a two inch stem. Gourds should be finished with growth before you cut them from the vine, store indoors at 60 degrees.

September is the best time to plant grass seed whether you are re-seeding, patching or establishing a new lawn. If you only fertilize your lawn once a year, or if you have never fertilized it, fall is also the best time to do it. Cooler, wetter (usually) fall weather promotes good root growth and your grass will start out next spring healthier and ready for more vigorous growth. Want to really get your lawn in shape? Fertilize in September and then again around Thanksgiving. Labor Day and Veterans’ Day are easy to remember. Read directions for amounts.

In those areas that are not to be fall planted, plant a cover crop or “green manure” that will be turned in in the spring. Buckwheat, annual rye, sweet clover, winter barley, wheat, soybeans, alfalfa, and hairy vetch make good green manures.

Now is the time to plant spring flowering bulbs. A good rule of thumb is to plant bulbs at a depth about three times the height of the bulb. Planting irises and peonies this fall takes advantage of the warm earth. They should be planted about 2 inches deep. If your peonies haven’t bloomed well because of shade from nearby competing trees, now is a good time to move them to a sunnier place in the yard.

Watch for yellowing of gladiolus leaves. Dig the corms and hang until the tops turn brown. Then store in a cool, not freezing, well ventilated basement or garage. Do the same with caladium, cannas, and dahlias when their tops turn brown. Fall is a good time to divide Lily of the Valley, primroses, peonies, day lilies, coral-bells and bleeding heart. Adding bulb food and humus will be rewarded in the spring.

You can plant onion seed now for early green onions and bulbs. Yes, onions are bulbs. You can still plant cool season vegetables. It’s not too late to start beets, carrots, kale and lettuce, maybe even bush beans! If you have row covers, or can make them, you can have these for Thanksgiving dinner. Of course this assumes we don’t have a hard freeze and if we do you are prepared to cover the plants if it happens. If the ground temperature stays above 50 roots continue to grow.

Now is a good time to test your soil. The called for amendments will have time to work their way into the soil and be available to the plants for the next growing season. Information on soil testing is available at the OSU Extension Office 474-7534.