September 2018 Newsletter: Citrus & Fruit | Vegetables & Herbs

Citrus & Fruit


Citrus can still be planted in September. There is still plenty of time for roots to get established before the winter cool.

Mature fruit trees should be laden with fruit now. Some fruit trees may be laboring under the burden of the fruit. Prop up limbs or remove some of the fruit to prevent damage to the trees. Lemon and limes will becoming ripe soon and early season oranges like Naval and Hamlin will not be ready until the end of November at the earliest.

Blemishes or sooty mold on fruit will not affect the taste of fruit. Simply wash, peel, and enjoy!

The last fertilizer of the year should be applied now so new growth can harden off before winter. Use Nurserymen Sure Gro 8-4-8.

Vegetables & Herbs


If you haven’t already done so, now is the time to get your gardens planted for the “cool season”. For in ground gardens, be sure to add soil amendments like compost, peat or manure. If you don’t have space for an in ground bed, consider using containers. Earth Boxes are a wonderful container for vegetables and herbs. Reuse it season after season- just buy fresh soil and the replant kit.

Cool season vegetable plantings include: broccoli, cauliflower, onions, Brussels sprouts, collards, spinach, cabbage, lettuce and tomatoes. Be vigilant of pests such as caterpillars, aphids, slugs & snails. Control with Spinosad- a natural product safe for all fruit and vegetables.

Herbs can also be grown throughout the cool season- parsley; rosemary, thyme and oregano are all fairly cold hardy. Basil will need to be protected.

Tomatoes are typically the most popular plant for homeowners to plant. If you are growing tomatoes in a container make sure the pots are big enough to accommodate the number of plants you put in. Do not overcrowd. Once they are in, make sure that you keep the soil damp. Blossom end rot can develop on tomatoes if the soil moisture is not kept consistent. Calcium cannot be readily absorbed when the soil is too wet or too dry.

Want all Natural Organic options for fertilizing your vegetable? For Nitrogen- Blood Meal or Fish Emulsion; For Phosphorus- Bone Meal; for Potassium- Kelp Powder. Check at the Garden Center for these items.
Look for vegetables and herbs arriving in the Garden Center from about the middle of September to the end.

Next Section: Perennials & Annuals | Potted Plants | Semi-Tropicals