Week in the Garden

Planting

■ Plant pansies, asters, mums, and other fall plants.

■ Sow seeds that require a cold period for germination.

■ Plant perennials, trees and shrubs. ■ Hold bulbs until October.

Seasonal

■ Allow the final flush of flowers to go to seed. Many provide food for the birds and small mammals during the fall and winter.

■ Pot up plants to winter over indoors. ■ Take cuttings of those annuals that you want to winter over.

■ Cut back peony greens to about three-to-four inches tall.

Lawn

■ Seed, overseed, dethatch and aerate lawns through mid-October.

■ Apply broadleaf weed control, through mid-October.

■ Install sod as the weather cools, September and October.

■ Treat for chinch bugs and sod webworms.

Chores

■ Watch for frosts.

■ Protect tender plants and get a few more weeks of color.

■ Stop pruning.

■ Order or buy mulch for winter but do not apply until the ground freezes.

Tools, equipment, and supplies

■ Check winter/fall equipment, repair or replace as needed.

Safety

■ Clear lawns of debris before mowing and make sure pets, children and others are well away from the area being mown.

■ Store garden chemicals indoors away from pets and children. Discard outdated ones at local chemical collection events.

■ Photograph storm damage before clearing or repairing for insurance claims and file promptly.

■ Anytime you are outside and the temperatures are about 50°F or warmer, watch for tick bites.