By Randy Forst

Note: This is general information for the entire state of Arkansas on what to plant in your garden in September. For specific questions about planting in your area, please reach out to your local county agent. 

September marks our first little taste of autumn, although most of the month will likely be hot and dry. Gear up for fall by starting your fall garden, decorating with mums and pumpkins, and adding more flowers to your flowerbed!

Garden Chores for September

This month we transition from our summer gardens into cool season-mode. Check out what chores we recommend doing this month:

• Monitor rainfall and water plants accordingly.
• Scout for pests.
• Replenish mulch, as needed, particularly around trees and shrubs.
• Clean out compost unit. Move compost into storage such as a trash bin to use for your fall gardening, then clean out the empty unit to prepare for fall garden waste. Thinking of starting a compost pile? Learn all about composting!
• Rake leaves as they fall and add to your freshly cleaned compost unit.
• As your warm-season vegetables are dying back, replace them with cool-season vegetables.
• Cut back perennials as they die back. They are going dormant and will likely return in the spring.
• Dig and divide spring-blooming perennials if you have not already done so.
• Save seeds for next year.
• Collect soil samples and send them off to your local county office for lab testing if you have not done so recently. If your report calls for lime to reduce acidity, apply it in the fall to give it time to incorporate into soil before spring. 
• Lightly fertilize summer annuals and flowering tropical plants, particularly if they are in containers.
• Avoid fertilizing/heavily pruning shrubs at this time as this will encourage regrowth that will not have time to harden off before winter.

Moving Houseplants Inside for the Winter

This month is when we can begin acclimating our houseplants that have been spending the warmer months outdoors to go back inside during the winter. If we move our plants directly indoors, they are much more likely to experience a shock from the changing environment and may be harmed or even die.

To avoid this, we acclimate. Keep an eye on the dropping temperatures, and when it begins cooling off toward the end of this month or next month, find a somewhat shadier spot to move your plant to. This incremental approach will allow the plant some time to get used to the lack of sun.

After a couple weeks, move the plant to an even shadier spot and let it acclimate there for a bit. Once your plant has been acclimating to less and less sun, you can move it indoors.

September Vegetable Planting Guide 

Trade your warm-season veg for cool-season! Below are the vegetables we recommend planting in your garden this month:

• Bok Choi
• Pak Choi
• Carrots
• Swiss Chard
• Beets
• Spinach
• Kohlrabi
• Mustard greens
• Turnips
• Radishes
• Lettuce

Seed carrots, lettuce, spinach, kale, and other greens.

September Flower Planting Guide 

While there are plenty of ornamentals you can plant this month, be sure to only do so after the weather begins cooling off a bit. Ornamentals we recommend planting include:

• Pansies
• Marigolds
• Snapdragons
• Dianthus
• Dusty miller (silver ragwort)
• Ornamental peppers
• Ornamental kale
• Ornamental mustard
• Ornamental cabbage
• Chelone (turtlehead)
• Tricyrtis (toad lilies)
• Japanese anemones
• Goldenrod
• Aster
• Salvia

Spring bulbs will be available in stores this month, but avoid planting them until October or November. Plant pansies by mid-October for best performance. Decorate with mums, and lightly fertilize and water them consistently.

Christmas cactus initiates its flower buds by being exposed to cool nights, so you can move your cactus outdoors into indirect sunlight. Give it one more feeding of houseplant fertilizer and limit the amount you water it while it is outdoors. This will encourage bloom in the late fall/early winter. When there is danger of frost, bring the cactus back indoors and place in a well-lit area.

In Bloom in September

Nothing lasts forever. I’m reminded of this as I drive through the high desert country of southeastern Washington State and begin seeing apples. Lots of apples. A century ago, a traveler on the roads of Washington and Benton Counties in northwest Arkansas would have thought the same thing. For a time during the first couple decades of the 20th century, these two counties were the leading apple-producing counties in the nation.

The boom in railroad construction following the Civil War was made possible by giving railroad companies free land based on the amount of track they laid. To make money the companies then sold that land to prospective farmers who would then ship their goods to market on those same rail lines. In the Arkansas Ozarks railroad sales agents shamelessly promoted the land they sold as “the best apple land west of the Allegheny Mountains.” It took a while but by 1900, a thriving apple growing industry had been born in the Ozarks. But it was not to last, for the drought years of the 1920s and ‘30s, along with the invasion of the codling moth, wiped out apple production almost as quickly as it appeared.

But the nation still wanted apples and Washington State became the new epicenter of apple production, starting about 1910. The best apple land, as it turned out, was in the Yakama Valley and along the Columbia River gorge.

Several events in the early 20th century combined to make the Washington apple industry the juggernaut it became. First was the establishment of large-scale, federally supported water projects. Then there was the arrival of the railroad in 1901 with improvements in refrigerated boxcars. Finally, there was a coordinated program to establish high standards for their produce

and a nationwide promotional campaign touting the quality of Washington apples. Today, about 65 percent of the apples grown in America come from this one region.

At first glance, a high sagebrush desert doesn’t seem like the kind of place to grow great apples. But in reality, the apple’s roots are in the dry mountainous regions of Kazakhstan in Central Asia. Over the centuries apples have been grown in more moist and hospitable regions, but at their core they have known hardships. Washington State has several things going for it in terms of growing apples.

First the climate. The bright light is ideal for growing apples. And, because it is geographically located so far north, it has almost two additional hours of light during the all-important summer days than fruit-producing regions further south. The wide fluctuation between day and night temperatures is ideal for apples to store more sugars in the fruit as well.

For decades, the Red Delicious apple was the dominant apple in this country. We could grow this old variety in Arkansas, but our apples were almost round and never developed the long, deep-lobed fruit that Washington growers produced. It turns out that the big difference between day and night temperatures is the reason. The cool nights caused the apple to stretch out and develop its distinctive shape that consumers had come to expect.

The near-desert conditions do have some drawbacks. In reality, it can sometimes be too bright for the developing fruit, so light shading may be used for some sensitive selections. And during the peak heat of summer, the temperatures are hotter than desirable. But growers have deployed misters above the trees to provide a means of using evaporative cooling to bring the canopy temperature down to desirable ranges.

Over the years, all manner of innovations have been introduced to make it easier to mechanize apple growing and harvesting. Perhaps the biggest innovation is the use of high-density plantings that allow for various hedge row pruning systems. In conventional apple orchards, about 150 trees were planted per acre, but in high-density orchards, 10 times as many trees are planted. They are arranged in a “v” pattern to maximize light penetration and so that they can be mechanically pruned as a narrow living hedge.

In the 1950s, long-term refrigerated storage became an important part of the Washington State apple program. In the ‘60s, controlled atmosphere storage — where temperatures at the freezing mark are combined with high carbon dioxide levels — it became possible to hold apples up to a year until the next crop became available.

So when one walks into a supermarket any time of the year and picks a favorite apple from the pile, we are the beneficiary of a century of progress in growing, storing and distributing these delicious treats.

By Randy Forst

In recent years, the concept of gardening as a means of wellness has gained popularity, particularly during the pandemic when many people turned to gardening as a source of solace and connection to nature.  

Gardening is more than just a hobby; it's a therapeutic practice that offers numerous physical, mental, and emotional benefits. Engaging with plants can enhance your well-being, so put your mind at ease and plant some seeds! 

Connecting with Nature 

One of the most profound benefits of gardening is the opportunity to connect with nature. Whether you're tending to a lush garden or a few potted plants on your balcony, the experience of being surrounded by greenery can be incredibly grounding.  

Gardening allows you to engage with the natural world, observe the changing seasons, and appreciate the intricate beauty of plants. Listening to birdsong, watching bees and butterflies flit among flowers, and feeling the soil between your fingers are all ways to immerse yourself in nature and find peace amidst the chaos of daily life. 

Stress Relief and Mental Health 

Gardening is often described as a meditative practice, offering a respite from the stresses of modern life. The simple act of tending to plants can lower stress levels, decrease anxiety, and improve mood. The repetitive tasks of planting, weeding, and watering provide a calming rhythm that allows you to focus on the present moment and forget your worries.  

This mindfulness practice has been shown to reduce cortisol levels, the hormone associated with stress and promote a sense of well-being. 

Physical Benefits 

While gardening is soothing for the mind, it also offers physical benefits. The movements involved in gardening, such as digging, planting, and harvesting, provide a low-impact form of exercise that can improve strength, stamina, and flexibility. Gardening can develop fine motor skills and enhance hand-eye coordination. It's a full-body workout that can leave you feeling both refreshed and pleasantly tired at the end of the day. 

Learning and Growth 

Gardening is a continual learning experience, offering endless opportunities to expand your knowledge and skills. Whether you're a novice or an experienced gardener, there's always something new to discover, from understanding the needs of different plant species to experimenting with garden design. This learning process can be deeply rewarding and foster a sense of accomplishment as you watch your plants thrive under your care. 

Social Interaction and Community 

Gardening also has the power to bring people together. Many communities have gardening clubs, such as the Master Gardener groups, where individuals can share their passion for plants and exchange tips and ideas. These social interactions can lead to new friendships and a sense of belonging, making gardening not just a solitary pursuit but a shared journey. 

Therapeutic Applications 

Beyond its general benefits, plant therapy is used in various therapeutic settings to aid in rehabilitation and healing. Programs like the Veterans Healing Garden and those at senior centers use gardening to improve cognitive function, enhance motor skills, and provide a sense of purpose.  

For individuals with autism, gardening can improve focus, communication, and sensory integration. The therapeutic potential of gardening is vast, offering a gentle yet powerful way to support physical and mental health. 

Conclusion 

Whether you have a sprawling garden or a few pots on a windowsill, the therapeutic benefits of gardening are accessible to everyone. By nurturing plants, you can nurture yourself, fostering a deeper connection to nature and a greater sense of well-being. So why not put your mind at ease and plant some seeds today? Embrace the therapeutic power of gardening and watch as it transforms your life, one plant at a time.