NC Cooperative Extension: Garden Tips


THIS WEEK IN THE LAWN & GARDEN
1. Tall fescue sowing and fertilizing season is here (actually first half of September is preferred, so delay no further!). Sow 6# seed/1000 sq. ft. Use a blend of three turf-type tall fescue cultivars. Fertilize at a rate of 1# N/1000 sq. ft using turf grade fertilizer that is low in P.
2. Get ready for fall planting! Decide on planting locations, research plants, prepare soil.
3. Clean up vegetable gardens that are done producing. In raised beds, pull out the plants. Avoid composting any that show signs of disease. In conventional gardens, the plants can be tilled into the soil.
4. Continue scouting beds for weeds. Winter annual weeds are starting up again! Once the beds are clean, consider applying a weed preventer to help prevent more.
5. Inspect apple trees for fire blight and prune out infected limbs now. If you wait until the trees lose their leaves, it will be harder to identify the infected limbs.
FARMERS MARKET UPDATES
Our farmers markets remain open, and although it’s late in the season, you will continue to find a GREAT variety of delicious produce! And this Saturday we expect to have PUMPKINS at the Vance County market. You may also find many of the following items:
*apples, *butter beans, cucumbers, deer corn, garlic, grapes, honey, mixed greens, okra, onions, peas, (crowder & purple hull), peppers (green & red bell, banana, cayenne, habanero ), potatoes, sweet potatoes, squash, string beans, tomatoes, watermelon, zucchini. Plus don’t forget to look for plants and a variety of crafts.