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SEPTEMBER

By all these lovely tokens, September days are here. With summer's best of weather and autumn's best of cheer.
- Helen Hunt Jackson

 

Applications are now open for the 2025 Marin Master Gardener training. Click here to apply

Click here to learn more about becoming a Marin Master Gardener

Applications close August 30, 2024

 

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ABOUNDING ADVANTAGES OF COVER CROPS
Also known as “green manure”, cover crops are used to enrich soil fertility and improve soil structure. Timing when you plant cover crops is important for the success of the crop and September through October is a prime time. Cover crops help suppress weeds, protect soil from erosion, provide habitat for beneficial insects and earthworms, and so much more.

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ARE YOU OVERWATERING?
As the summer heat starts to ease with shorter days, your plants will require less water to remain at their optimal health. Get tips on: how to water properly, how much you should be watering, and what factors impact watering needs. Marin Water provides a helpful weekly watering schedule to help you properly program your irrigation throughout the seasons..

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KEEP PLANTS VIBRANT WITH DEAD-HEADING
As flowers fade and wither, remove them from the plant to encourage additional blooming. Removing spent flowers from plants is also a fire-smart method of reducing combustible fuel in your landscape. Learn more about keeping your landscape lean, clean, and green.

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IS MY PLANT DYING OR GOING DORMANT?

Plants wilting and dropping leaves can be cause for alarm, but not always! Some drought adapted native plants such as redwood trees, sticky monkey flower, and milkweed exhibit seasonal dieback and dormancy during summer heat. Dropping leaves and pausing growth allows these plants to conserve energy in their roots until the rainy season begins. In these cases, watering is usually not needed and can cause root rot. If you’re not sure if your plant is experiencing normal drought dormancy, reach out to the help desk with a picture and species identification. 

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EDIBLES TO PLANT IN SEPTEMBER
Sow from seed carrots, parsnips, potatoes, and radish. Start to transplant broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, chard, collard greens, kale, lettuce, bunching onions, and peas. Click here for a monthly planting schedule.

"Ask a Master Gardener..."

FEATURED THIS WEEK IN THE MARIN IJ:

Hold your nose and pull this weed

  • Whenever someone describes a plant as “aromatic,” the question to ask is whether the aroma is pleasant or unpleasant. In the case of Stinkwort (Dittrichia graveolens), the answer is in the name...

MARIN IJ GARDENING TIP OF THE WEEK:

GO TO THE MARIN IJ ARCHIVE PAGE FOR MORE STORIES AND GARDENING TIPS!

Upcoming Events
Event Name Date
About Succulents 9/11/2024
About Succulents 9/20/2024
CA Native Gardening 101 9/28/2024
About Succulents 9/28/2024
WATCH & LEARN
on Our YouTube Channel

PRUNING CITRUS

APHIDS, OH MY!

ADVICE TO GROW BY

 

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