Expert and unbiased answers to frequently asked questions about lawns and gardens.
Tom Fowler - Horticulturist
University of Missouri Extension
Buchanan County, Missouri
Questions categorized by topic and month
LAWNS
INSECTS ORNAMENTALS
TREES FRUITS AND VEGETABLES
January February March April May June July
August
September
October November
December
SEPTEMBER: As the days grow shorter in
September.....Drought can still be a problem, especially for shrubs and newly
planted trees. Be sure to water them regularly to sustain the growth.
September's Frequently Asked Questions
The summer heat was hard on my lawn. It looks like there are a lot of dead spots in it. What can I do?
Answer: The month of September is an excellent time to re-seed the dead areas in your lawn. If you have more than 50% desirable grass plants just work up the areas that are dead with a garden rake. Remove any excess plant debris and seed. Rake in the seed to get good seed/soil contact. You can use some straw and mulch the spots. To get the grass going fast, keep the seeded areas moist until the grass seed starts growing good. Once it is up and growing it does not require as much watering. If you have less than 50% desirable grass plants should probably do a total renovation of the lawn. Kill out what is there; work up the soil and seed. For more detailed information see the MU guide 6700.
Relevant Guide Sheets: MU guide 6700; MU Guide 6705
We have a lot of worms with a lot of legs getting into our garage. What are they and what can we do to control them?
Answer: More than likely are millipedes, they are also called thousand-legged worms. Millipedes are worm-like and most often brownish-black in color, Their legs ripple as they move and they will curl up if they are touched. Millipedes like damp locations (such as wooded areas) but will sometimes move in the house. They are actually beneficial in nature because they help break down plant material. They do not bite people or damage household furnishings directly, but they will leave a mess and give off an odor if crushed. They require high moisture to survive and often will die in a day or two after entering the house. Dead millipedes can be vacuumed up and disposed of. Sealing and caulking around openings in the foundation and around doors will help keep them out. Drying out moist areas inside will help with control. If you still have problems, spraying a three-foot band around the outside of the house using resmethrin, cyfluthrin or proxopur will take care of them before they get inside. See the MU guide 7362 for more details. More information about insects
Relevant Guide Sheets: MU guide 7362
What is wrong with my pine tree? The needles inside the tree branches are turning yellow!
Answer: Some years this
is more noticeable than others. It is a natural process where the 2-4 year-old
interior needles turn yellow, then brown and drop off. Like deciduous trees
that loose their leaves, pine trees lose their older needles every year.
More information about pine trees
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