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Master Gardenersm Column for the Week of September 7, 2009
Charlie Spencer
Brunswick County Extension Master Gardenersm Volunteer

FALL PREP

Fall Planting
Individuals not planning to grow a fall garden should make it a practice to rid the garden site of old vegetable crop residue and weeds as soon as possible. Failure to destroy spent vegetable plants will likely increase insect and disease problems next season. Old vegetable plants should be tilled under the soil or pulled up and removed from the growing area. Composting the old vegetable plant parts is not recommended unless the gardener can be certain that a temperature of at least 160°F will be reached in the compost pile. Only temperatures of at least 160°F+ range are capable of destroying the insects and pathogens living in the plant residue.

Add Organic Matter
Fall is also a good time to add organic matter to the soil. One of the best ways to replenish organic matter is by seeding a fall cover crop of annual rye or ryegrass. Seeding rates are as follow per 1,000 square feet: annual rye—1 to 2 pounds; ryegrass—3 to 4 pounds. For best results, these crops should be seeded between September 15 and October 20. Most cover crops should be allowed to grow about knee high before being tilled under the soil next spring.

Aphids
Aphids have been in a lull during the heat of summer, but they start multiplying rapidly as temperatures drop in the fall. Because aphids reproduce at an early age at the rate of 50 per week, they can quickly regain their foothold. Their colors range from brown to light green, and their sizes range from 1/16 – 1/8 of an inch long. All have a characteristic pear-shaped body with two projections in the rear called cornicles which may be hard to see without a magnifying glass. One of the safest ways to control aphids is to spray with insecticidal soap. Just be sure to cover the stems, buds, and underside of the leaves thoroughly. Other products that control them include malathion, Orhene, and pyrethrin.

Herbs
Plant perennial herbs now to fill bare spots in beds. Sage, oregano, lemon balm, thyme, and winter savory may not grow much this fall, but they will develop a good root system that will support growth next spring. This is also a good time to sow seeds of biennials and hardy annuals. Caraway, coriander, and chervil can be sown in well-prepared soil. While caraway and coriander need exposure to full sun, chervil requires partial shade.

Add Color
Add color to your landscape through the addition of annuals such as pansies. With a wide variety of colors, you can mix and match to suit your taste. Planting should be complete before the end of October. Mums also offer a color alternative. Plantings can be made in perennial gardens, planter gardens, or in border areas. Choose taller varieties for cut flowers and medium dense varieties for planters. Mums flower over a long period (6-8 weeks).

Fall Garden
If you plan to make use of our late frost dates to produce a variety of fall vegetables, plan now for an early September planting date. With our average frost date around mid-November, you have approximately 60 days till harvest. Vegetables which mature within this time range (+ or – 10 days) include snapbeans, beets, broccoli, cauliflower, collards, cucumbers, lettuce, mustard, spinach, summer squash, and turnips. Local garden centers can help you with locally adapted and often chosen varieties.

Lawn Establishment
Brunswick County is most suited for warm-season grasses. These include Bermuda (common and hybrid), centipede, St. Augustine, and zoysia. Warm-season grasses grow and develop during the frost-free months of mid-April through mid-November. Following a frost, these grasses turn brown and remain dormant until spring. Seed, sod, or sprig these grasses during the early spring and through mid-summer. Late season planting does not allow enough time for the root systems to establish before frost.

Recommendations for the use of chemicals are included as a convenience to the reader. The use of brand names and any mention or listing of commercial products or services does not imply endorsement by the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service nor discrimination against similar products or services not mentioned. Individuals who use chemicals are responsible for ensuring that the intended use complies with current regulations and conforms to the product label. Be sure to obtain current information about usage and examine a current product label before applying any chemical. For assistance, contact the Cooperative Extension Service.

Send your gardening questions or comments to: Brunswick County Master Gardener Column, P.O. Box 109, Bolivia, NC 28422, or call (910) 253-2610. Enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope if requesting information or a reply. Answers may be printed in this column.

North Carolina State University and North Carolina A&T State University commit themselves to positive action to secure equal opportunity regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, religion, sex, age, or disability. In addition, the two Universities welcome all persons without regard to sexual orientation. North Carolina State University, North Carolina A&T State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments cooperating.

For further information or assistance, please e-mail:
Charlie Spencer, Brunswick County Extension Master GardenersmVolunteer

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Date Created 7/30/2004