Johnsons's Garden Centers Text File document - copyright 2002
PDF file available at http://www.johnsonsgarden.com/newsletter/gardentips.html

Garden Tips
September 2002
Marty Johnson, President, Johnson's Garden Centers 
     and Kansas Certified Nurseryman

FALL IS FOR PLANTING!
    I always look forward to this time of the year. Usually by early
September the days are a little cooler, and our night time temperatures
are also dropping. I know it can still be hot now but those cooler days
are not far off.

   The spring-flowering bulbs usually arrive the last week of August
and the stores have stacks of ferti-lome Winterizer that reach to the
ceiling. We are unloading trucks of fresh nursery stock, and the first
of many loads of winter-hardy pansies are arriving. Yes ... fall is for
planting!

COOL AIR ... WARM SOIL
    The reason your fall gardening is so successful is that in the fall,
the soil temperature is still warm, meaning good root growth. Our soil
temperature right now is about as high as it has been all year, and our
daytime temperatures are starting to drop. Plants are not under stress
with these conditions.

FALL-PLANTED ANNUALS
    In the fall, annual bedding plants such as winter-hardy pansies get
established sooner. I know that we have a shorter growing season for
annuals this time of the year, but we still have a couple of months
until we have a hard killing freeze. Many years we can enjoy annuals
until after Thanksgiving. Most years, pansies can bloom through much of
the winter even with snow cover.

    We are just now getting our first of many deliveries of pansies into
the stores. For a special price on pansies, see page 5. Also look for
petunias, alyssum and other cold tolerant annuals for fall color.

PLANT PERENNIALS IN THE FALL
    Perennials also are quick to establish in the fall. We still have a
good selection of perennial bedding plants at the stores. You'll be
amazed at how much larger and how well your perennials will be next
season after being planted in the fall. Most perennials need the cold
temperatures to flower. You will gain a year by planting perennials in
the fall.
 
SEEDING FESCUE LAWNS
    If your lawn is ready for seeding, and the weather forecast is
favorable, by all means go ahead and get your fescue lawn planted this
weekend. Many times when the temperatures are cool in late August or
early September I have seeded fescue and within 4-5 days I am seeing the
grass germinate; and in just over a week the grass is really coming up.

    When seeding early make sure that you have the capability to keep
the newly planted grass watered daily.

THE BEST GRASS SEED
    Every year we talk about buying only the best grass seed. I truly
believe that at Johnson's, we do just that. The Gard'n-Wise Premium
Fescue Blend is the only fescue that I would plant. With varieties that
have done well in KSU's trials and with very few weed seeds, it also has
a high germination percentage--up to 98%. Check page 5 for our package
price on Gard'n-Wise Premium Fescue Blend Seed!

    Yes, you will have weeds that will appear when you plant new seed.
There are many weed seeds in your turf right now just waiting for you to
rake your lawn so they can see the light of day. Those weed seeds love
the ferti-lome New Lawn Starter and daily watering that you are giving
your lawn and will grow along with your grass seed. Go ahead and let the
weeds grow and then in October, use ferti-lome Weed-Out to eliminate
them.

ENJOY FALL!
    Enjoy the fall season ... go plant a tree ... then come by the stores on
September 11th to get some patriotic tulips--FREE! Browse through the
nursery, treat yourself to a new plant to enjoy, and have a great fall
season!