September To-Do List

Enjoy your local garden centers and farmers' markets in the fall

Fall is the best time for planting many things. The soil is still warm from the summer, we’re getting cooler air temperatures, and the summer drought seems to be over. The University of Maryland Extension and our friends at Jonathan Green agree that now is the time for fertilizing and seeding the lawn. When seeding, we recommend the Black Beauty line of grass seed. Use a seed starting fertilizer and consider Mag-i-cal to help bolster your soil’s pH and overall health.  Choose the seed that fits your landscape, be it shady, sunny or a little of each. The dark green grass that emerges in 14-21 days from seed will overwinter providing a nice-looking lawn for spring. If grass seed isn’t necessary, give your lawn a fall feeding of fertilizer to boost the lawn with nitrogen for greening and potassium for overall grass health.

Like grass seed, consider sowing wildflower seed now too. You’ll need to do it soon, though. Ideally sow seed 8 weeks before a killing frost.

Plant a tree. The saying goes that the best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The second-best time is now. Trees I planted 20 years ago have created summer shade, winter protection from the wind and year-round beauty. I use Bartlett Tree Experts to thin out the trees and to remove any dying branches or branches that get in the way of mowing and gardening. My yard does not have room for one more tree, but if it did, I’d plant one now. Go with Native trees like Redbuds and exotic trees like Japanese maples. The varieties are endless. Dig a hole wider than the root ball, but no deeper. Add some Biotone transplant fertilizer and compost or soil amendment like LeafGro around the sides of the root ball. Make sure the trunk flare is visible above the soil line after mulch is added. Water weekly (more if the temperatures are up) until the soil freezes.

My neighbor's Crepe Myrtle has beautiful fall leaf color and bark texture

Perennials are great to plant now. Consider adding some natives for the pollinators as they migrate south. For butterflies, Goldenrod seems to be a favorite. Birds feast on dogwood berries and Winterberry hollies. Our local Audubon Society is a good resource for information on specific birds’ diet and habitat preferences. Stake your tall, fall bloomers like dahlias and salvias. Add some of the compost leftover from planting to top dress your gardens, Well-rotted manures work well as compost too.

Solidago/Golden Rod provides for Monarchs during migration

Mums are the stars of the fall garden. They work out well as perennials if they get in the ground soon. Kept in pots until they are finished blooming, mums are a seasonal spot of color on the porch and patio. They will not generally overwinter in pots. 

Choose mums that have just started to bloom

Pansies are great for fall color and will rebloom come late winter and early spring. While they may not overwinter in pots, similar to the mums, they do overwinter if planted in the ground. Area landscapers will plant pansies and their viola cousins for late color now and early color in spring. 

Freeze or can some of summer’s bounty. Freeze cherry and plum tomatoes whole. The University of Maryland has all sorts of tips for harvesting and preserving herbs and vegetables.

Harvest green tomatoes before frost. Store them at room temperature in brown paper bags.

My tomatoes may not ripen in time. Into paper bags they go!

Plant vegetables for fall harvest. It may be late for Brussels Sprouts, but plenty of time for kale, spinach, Swiss chard and root crops like beets and radishes.

Start or refresh a compost. Mine is just a woven wire fence staked on four corners. Fill it with alternating layers of green grass clippings, and brown leaves. Use a garden fork to turn weekly. Add the compost to your garden next spring or summer.

Get ready to dig up summer bulbs after the first light frost. Cannas, begonias, dahlias, gladiolus will not survive overwinter if the temperatures fall below 0 degrees F. 

Plant spring blooming bulbs once the ground is cooler, usually in mid-October- November. Tulips, daffodils, crocus, alliums and scores of other bulbs planted in the fall will provide beautiful color come spring. 

Trowel, auger, or bulb planters come in handy this time of year. 

Houseplants that have summered outside should be acclimated to lower light levels outside before moving them. Clean off leaves with a light mixture of mild soap and water. Then spray them with either Horticultural Oil and/or Insecticidal Soap.

The Z Z looks like an angel with the light over the pot

Ficus and Pachira enjoying their indoor home

Leave the leaves. In garden beds, they will suppress weeds and will serve as a habitat for frogs, turtles, birds, lizards and beneficial insects through the winter. In lawns, mow the leaves with the grass. Add leaves to the compost pile as well. Leaves add nutrients to the soil making it healthier as they decay.

Most importantly, enjoy the colors, temperatures and unhurriedness of fall. It's time to take it easy. Just ask your plants. 

 

 

Seminars and Workshops for Fall

 Our speakers are excited to bring seminars back this fall. Bonsai classes are the first Saturday of each month, others are on Saturdays unless noted. Please see our Instagram and facebook pages for updates or call 410-527-0700. All are free to attend, requiring no pre-registration. 

September 7, 9 am      Bonsai Forest Planting Demonstration All bonsai classes are presented by Martha     Meehan of Meehan's Miniatures. 

Bonsai forest grouping

Saike, forest and slab grouping are the subjects of Martha Meehan's demonstration.  Learn how best to group and style bonsai while finding out which trees are most suitable for this project. 

 September 14, 9 am    Fall Garden and Container Designs Demonstration

Freshen up fall perennial gardens and containers with the addition of autumn blooms and color. We’ll also look at trees and shrubs to add to containers and landscapes now.

 September 28, 9 am    Fall Lawn Clinic

Brian Brannan, Garden Shop Manager

Fall is the BEST time to seed a new lawn or repair an existing one. Our experts will discuss which fertilizers, seed and weed control to use for fantastic results now and next spring.

 October 5, 9 am    Bonsai Show and Tell

 Bonsai from Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.

It’s your turn to take the stage and show us your own bonsai tree. Everyone is encouraged to share their projects, telling us a bit about them and bask in the glory of your accomplishments. The Plant of the Month will be determined from the Show and Tell today.

 Wednesday, October 2, 10 am    Arrival of the Giant Pumpkin

Seth unloading last year's "Aunt Lisa"

How big will it be this year? Over 1,000 pounds? 2,000 pounds? Be here when the Giant Pumpkin arrives! Guess how many seeds are in this year’s pumpkin and record it in our book. We will count the seeds on October 26 at noon to find the winner and award gift cards.

October 19, 11 am-4 pm      Ask the Expert---Bartlett Tree Experts

John is president of The Maryland Arborist Association

John Davis from Bartlett Tree Experts is here to answer any questions you may have about tree and shrub care, including pruning, insect and disease management and general landscape maintenance. Bring in photos, leaves or branches for a free diagnosis. Bartlett Tree Experts partner with Valley View Farms to provide care and information about trees and shrubs in our community.

 October 26, 12-2 pm    Owl-O-Ween

Kathy (second from left) and others from Phoenix Wildlife Center

Fascinated by owls? Join us for a close look at these magnificent birds and learn more about their habitat from Kathy Woods and volunteers from The Phoenix Wildlife Center. Phoenix Wildlife Center is dedicated to the rehabilitation and return to the wild of owls and other wildlife.

 October 26, 12 noon    Great Pumpkin Seed Contest

Tom, Tim and Nick

Tom Tasselmyer, WBAL's Chief Meteorologist, Laurie and other members of the Tasselmyer family, count the seeds in the giant pumpkin. Guesses have been made through the month. Once counted, we will find the winning guesses and award a $300. Valley View Farms Gift Card for 1st place, $200. for 2nd and $100. for 3rd. Good luck to all!

November 2, 9 am    Winter Bonsai Care

As Old Man Winter approaches, care of both indoor and outdoor bonsai take center stage. Martha will discuss methods used to keep bonsai happy and healthy through the next few months. Our Plants of the Month are Citrus.

 November 2, 11 am    Winterizing the Water Garden

Winter is just around the corner. Tim McQuaid will provide tips to keep the pond healthy, the fish safe and the plants resting until the spring thaw.

 December 7, 9 am     Bonsai--- All about Pines

Martha Meehan will identify various types of pines and discuss their unique characteristics and care. Our Plant of the Month-- you guessed it, Pine.

 December 7, 11 am    Winter Porch Pot Designs

Join us for some ideas on how to create container evergreen designs and displays that will knock your stockings off just in time for holiday decorating outside. Guest speaker Claire Jones provides our inspiration.

Please join us and share ideas that you may have for future seminars and speakers. Thank you. 

 

Gardening Has Not Been Canceled

Gardening here in Maryland has taken on new life. I've been lucky enough to work through this pandemic, but have spent much more time at home in late afternoons and evenings. Plants are flourishing; tomatoes are too abundant to use immediately after harvest.  Luckily, they're plum tomatoes, so I'll freeze them for use later. 

Two weeks before the harvest

 Summertime, as usual here in Maryland, flips between drought and tropical storm-induced heavy rains. A friend who lives in Southern Maryland has had 11 inches or more of rain this past week! Her fruit trees have floated up into her pasture, roots and all. Still, with all of its challenges, gardening gives us a nice break from the news of the day and allows us to nurture nature on our own terms. 

Walking through the garden center today, I've made plans for more planting. The vegetable garden gets a restart. I consider this season 3 in the garden. The first round in March-April was for peas, cole crops, and lettuce. Season 2---tomatoes, peppers, watermelon, and zucchini. Season 3 will include broccoli, lettuce, and beets in my own garden, planted in pots around the patio. 

Spinach, Swiss Chard and Lettuces

Great time to plant herbs too!

Coneflowers, hardy hibiscus, sedum, ornamental grasses, asters, and mums are a few things that can be planted and give the garden color for another couple of months. Rudbeckia, heliopsis, the aforementioned coneflowers, and coreopsis all feature daisy-shaped flowers with seed centers that birds will love long after the plants finish blooming. 

Hardy hibiscus blooms are dinner plate size

Ornamental grasses

Sedum a few weeks before color

Mums

Captivating coneflowers

Black-eyed Susans

Coneflowers

Pond plants are blooming too. Lotus, waterlilies, and cannas add color to the water garden. The Koi bring delight to everyone. Watching kids feed the koi with enthusiasm is a highlight at the big pond daily at 12:30. 

David topping off the ponds

Water gardens

During storms and times that it is just too hot outside, we move inside with houseplants. Decorating with plants is fun; choosing the right pot to go with our plant and inside spaces brings a bit of nature inside. 

The dracaena is on its way to a new home

Gardening was not canceled this year. We've met many new gardeners. Please use our resources, including signage, handouts, and knowledgeable people, many who are passionate gardeners themselves. 

Keep calm and garden on!

Seminars and Events this September-December---WOW!

We love fall! Cool-weather, fall planting, piles of pumpkins, the haunted house, the straw maze...so much fun for families. Here are some of the seminars and events coming our way this fall!

Plant a Bonsai Forest will be hosted by Martha Meehan, with help from bonsai club members.   Five trees, for indoors or outside, will be styled and planted in a larger pot or forest tray. There is a 90 dollar fee for this class. September 7 at 9 am.

Monarch butterfly emerging from the chrysalis

Monarch Butterfly Tag and Release, hosted by Monarch butterfly enthusiast Pam Spencer. About 100 butterflies will be tagged and released from our butterfly garden, with your help. Tags will have a corresponding certificate so that participants may check to see if their butterfly has been spotted on its way to Mexico. The event is free. The first 100 people will be able to participate in the release.

September 14 at 11 am. (Raindate September 15)

John testing soil pH

The Fall Lawn Clinic will be held by our own lawn and garden experts. Please bring a soil sample (Solo cup-sized) for free pH analysis. Also, feel free to bring in weed samples for identification and control options. Fall is the best time to seed or reseed a lawn. Brian Brannan and his team will help you have the best lawn ever! September 28, 9 am


The Autumn Garden, presented by Cynthia Mann, will showcase many of the shrubs, trees, and perennials that go dormant late in the season. Extend the gardening season by choosing plants that thrive in the fall garden. September 28, 11 am.

October brings with it tons of activities, color, and fun at the garden center. Bring the kids and the camera to create a memorable adventure.

The arrival of one of our giant pumpkins

The Arrival of the Giant Pumpkin is always a special event at Valley View Farms. Pumpkin hunters Andy and Matt will deliver the giant orb to our north gate, then onto the stage on Wednesday, October 2 at 10 am. The pumpkin will remain onstage until October 26th; we will open the pumpkin and count the seeds inside.

Bonsai Show and Tell give our bonsai enthusiasts a chance to brag about their bonsai projects. They may count on each other to tweak the various projects. October 5, 9 am

Ryleigh showing off houseplants as Eric moderates

Hip Houseplant Revue II presents houseplants on the runway! Look for the new, fascinating, fun houseplants while learning great care techniques. Our employees and volunteers will showcase the plants as our staff talks about each 'model'.October 12, 11 am

Owls visit us every October thanks to Kathy

Owl-o-ween has become an annual event for us. Wildlife rehabilitator Kathy Woods heads up the Phoenix Wildlife Center. Birds of prey, including owls, are taken care of after an injury, then released back to the wild. Get a close look at these beautiful creatures up close. October 19, 1 pm

Laurie Tasslemyer gives Tom a helping hand during the seed count

The Great Pumpkin Seed Count, featuring WBAL meteorologist Tom Tasslemyer, is always fun. Tom will count all of the seeds in the giant pumpkin. Contestants who have put their guesses in our book, have a shot at a 300, 200 or 100 dollar gift card to Valley View Farms for their correct prediction of the number of seeds. October 28, 12 pm

November and December are all about getting ready for winter and the fast-approaching holidays. More events are will be posted regarding our Christmas Shop Events as we get closer. 

WinteringYour Bonsai, featuring Martha Meehan, will go over the best ways to care for bonsai trees during their slower growth or dormant season. Bonsai classes are open to beginners to expert enthusiasts. November 2, 9 am

Winterizing the Water Garden helps gardeners prepare elements of their ponds for winter. Tips on fish, plants, and pond elements will be presented by Tim McQuaid. November 9, 9 am

 Creating Winter and Holiday Container Gardens is a great way to decorate porch pots. Our specialists will demonstrate the elements needed to arrange greens and branches for a beautiful winter planter. November 23, 11 am

                                                                                                                                                             
Bonsai Winter Work, presented by Martha Meehan, is a class detailing projects that can be completed over the next few months caring for a bonsai tree. December 7, 9am.

Our annual Live WBAL Radio Broadcast takes place on Thursday, December 19 from 5 am-9 am and on Friday, December 20 from 5 am-6 pm. This fundraising event will feature radio personalities, area choirs, bands, Santa and much more.

Stay tuned to facebook and our homepage for updates, additional seminars, and events with our Christmas Shops. 

For additional information, or to set-up a class for a group, including garden clubs, school fieldtrips, scouts, and civic organizations, contact carrie@valleyviewfarms.com.