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Late Season Pollinator Plants, Cucurbits, Harvesting, and other September News
Late Season Plants for Pollinators
As gardeners, it is important for us to be able to enjoy our gardens as long as possible into the colder months! As allies and companions to our beloved pollinators, it is part of our task to help provide food sources to help them prepare for the winter months as well.
Annuals
- Zinnias are a long-season pollinator plant that will continue to perform into the fall. You may even see them returning to garden centers to be included in fall containers.
- Other late season bloomers like Tithonia, Lantana, Marigolds, Sunflowers and Cosmos are particularly important food sources for migrating butterflies and other insects. Hummingbirds are very fond of lanatana nectar, so they will benefit as they migrate through in September.
The Fall Garden is Still Great for Pollinators
Perennials
Native goldenrods (Solidago spp.) provide nectar and pollen for diverse species of insects and seeds for birds and small mammals. Different species bloom from August- late September or even into October, when other native plants are past bloom time. They are important sources of energy for migrating butterflies and for bees that are active late in the season.
- Other late season pollinator plants include Echinacea, Rudbeckia, Sedum and Asters
Late Season Cucurbit Harvesting
Watermelons
Watermelons take 35-45 days to mature after flowering, but temperatures and variety will affect time to harvest To determine if a watermelon is ripe, use these signs:
- There is a curling tendril closest to the melon- this should turn brown and dry out
- Carefully turn melon over to see f the white blotch where soil contact was made is now yellow
- Rind should be dull, not shiny
- Thump the melon- sound should be hollow-sounding, deep and resonant. Unripe melons will have a higher pitched flatter sound
- Check the days to maturity as given on the seed packet. If it says 65 days, then it should be ripe at that time, but check above signs, too. If you do not know the variety, then use 1-4 as a reference.
Pumpkins/Gourds
This time of year is when pumpkins will start reaching maturity. Harvest will be here before you know it! Keep these things in mind while deciding "is it time?"
- Skin should be thick and pumpkins should be firm
- Leave the stem intact to ensure a longer shelf life
- Never lift or carry a pumpkin by the stem
- Read More Tips
Winter Squash
Winter squash have many of the same harvest characteristics as pumpkins and gourds.
- Similar to pumpkins, the skin should be hard and difficult to puncture with a fingernail
- Leaving 3-4 inches of stem attached helps preserve the fruit
- Read More Tips
Native Plant Highlight: Shrub Dogwoods
Shrub dogwoods like silky (Cornus obliqua) and red osier (Cornus sericea) and gray (Cornus racemosa ) not only provide food for pollinators in the spring, but they are an important source of food for birds and animals in late summer and fall. They are available at most garden centers that feature native plants and their a cultivars. Many can tolerate some shade and moist soils.
Upcoming Events and Things to Do
- The Mattabesett Trail is a 62-mile trail that features some of the most outstanding cliff views and ridge walking in Connecticut, especially on the western sections. It links to many state forests, land trust preserves and parks. Other sections have brooks, bogs, hardwood forests and high ledges looking over the Connecticut River.
- It's Apple Season! Visit a pick-your-own orchard, or find your favorite apple flavored treats starting this month!
- Farmer's Markets are still very active! Find one near you!
- The Big E is this month! Visit for agricultural displays, food, entertainment, and more! Starting Sept. 13th
- Sept 15-21 is National Indoor Plant Week.
Educational Opportunities & Workshops
- Letterboxing & Geocaching, September 12th, Hamden, CT
- Bat Appreciation Day - September 15th, East Granby, CT
- Bird Walk, September 21st, Milford, CT
CT Invasive Plant Working Group
In-Person Symposium
October 29th, 2024
UConn Student Union
Storrs, CT
2024 UConn Master Composter Program
Interested in learning more about composting and sharing your knowledge with others? UConn will be holding its Master Composter program this September. The Master Composter program is a train the trainer program where participants will learn about the various aspects of composted and then donate a minimum of 20 hours volunteer time engaging in outreach projects that may include activities such as tabling at events, giving presentations or working with schools or community gardens. When outreach goals have been met, participants will be certified as Master Composters and receive a certificate of completion. There is a registration fee.
The 2024 program will be a hybrid program with two in-person Saturday sessions, September 14 & 28 along with two evening online sessions, September 19 & 27 via WebEx. The two Saturday classes will be held at the Middlesex County Extension Center, 1066 Saybrook Rd, Haddam, CT 06438. It is anticipated that two field trips will be offered this fall, also on weekends
If interested, please visit: The Master Composter Homepage
Feed The Earth……Compost!
Newspaper Articles
Tips from UConn Floriculture Help Spruce Up Container Plantings
By Dawn Pettinelli, UConn Home & Garden Education Center
As summer wanes and the cool breezes of autumn begin to roll into Connecticut, it’s the perfect time to refresh your container plantings. Shelley Durocher-Nesta, UConn Plant Science Floriculture Grower, says this summer’s rain and high temperatures have many of our container plantings looking a little ragged but fall presents a unique opportunity to infuse your outdoor spaces with rich colors, interesting textures, and seasonal charm that lasts well into the cooler months
By the end of summer, many annuals start to fade. To maintain a lush and lively look, she suggests replacing them with plants that thrive in cooler weather. A top candidate for fall plantings, both containerized and inground are mums, obviously. They offer an explosion of color in shades of yellow, bronze, pink and reds. Asters are runner’s up, flashing their cooler shades of purples and pinks.
Ornamental cabbages and kale are leafy plants bringing texture and interest to plantings, often with their lacy ruffled edges. Hues range from deep purple to violet and from white to green, some being two-toned.
Recently, pansies and violas have been showing up as fall bloomers. These delicate flowers add a pop of color and laugh off light frosts. Pansies, with their cheerful ‘faces’ are particularly popular and come in a wide range of colors. Ornamental peppers in shades of yellow, purple red and orange are also available often in 4-inch pots
Depending on your color scheme and container size, two other great fall accompaniments are heuchera (coral bells) with their stunning foliage in a myriad of colors, and sedums that can be used either for their unique fleshy foliage or pollinator-friendly blooms.
Don’t forget ornamental grasses for their attractive seedheads and whispering foliage. If pinched for room, a few stalks of dried grasses or wheat can give your containers a rustic, harvest-time feel.
Before purchasing new plants, access the plants presently in your containers. Groom, deadhead and cut back leggy annuals like petunias and verbena. If you have summer plants that are still thriving, you can repurpose them by combining them with fall plants in the same container for a mixed-season look. However, often one finds that their summer layout doesn’t work as well with new plants. Don’t hesitate to replace staid offerings. Durocher-Nesta, agrees saying that switching out her summer planters that are getting a little tired by the end of August is a joy.
Refresh the soil in containers before planting new fall selections. Summer plants have depleted the nutrients, so replacing the top few inches with fresh potting mix can get fall plants off to a better start. If your container is large and you can’t replace all the soil, mix in some compost or at least a slow-release fertilizer, as directed on the package, to rejuvenate it,
Consider elevating some containers on stands or steps to create varying heights. Grouping containers of different sizes together on your porch or patio can also add depth and visual interest.
One of the joys of fall container gardening is the chance to play with a different color palette. While summer is about bright, vibrant colors, fall offers a more subdued, warm earthy palette. Think deep purples, burnt oranges, and rich reds, balanced with greens and whites.
As the weather cools, plants will need less water but check regularly. Container plants can dry out quickly especially on sunny fall days. Stick a finger in and add water when the top inch of potting media feels dry.
Regularly deadhead spent flowers and remove any yellowing leaves to keep your containers looking tidy and to encourage continued blooming. As frost becomes more likely, be prepared to cover sensitive plants or bring containers indoors on particularly cold nights.
In addition to the plants, fall-themed accents can enhance the seasonal appeal of your containers. Consider adding small pumpkins, gourds, or decorative squash to the mix. For a touch of whimsy, add seasonal decorations like mini scarecrows, wooden sunflowers or decorative berries.
Sprucing up your container plantings for fall in Connecticut can bring a fresh, seasonal look to your outdoor spaces. With the right plant choices, thoughtful arrangement, and a few seasonal accents, your containers can remain a focal point of beauty and interest well into the cooler months. Durocher-Nesta shares thoughts about her favorite fall flower: “Bright and fresh mums bring a smile to my face during a time of year when falling leaves and shorter days mean winter is coming. They’re one last Hoorah! for the growing season.”
If you have questions on container plantings or on any other home or garden topic, contact the UCONN Home & Garden Education Center, toll-free, at (877) 486-6271, visit their web site at www.homegarden.cahnr.uconn.edu or contact your local Cooperative Extension Center.
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- GMO Tomatoes August 30, 2024
