KJFM NEWS — Labor Day is the time to start fall seeding of lawns. Days are getting cooler and there are less weeds for the grass to compete with. A fescue blend is ideal for lawns in north Missouri as it withstands our extremes in weather conditions and variety of soil types. It can handle wear and tear, hot, humid summers and cold winters.  Finish seeding by October 15. After that date, temperatures are too cool for good germination and establishment before winter sets in.

Fall is a good time to control perennial weeds. As weeds prepare for winter, they store up reserves in their root systems. Herbicide applications are more effective at this time than in the hot days of summer, as the herbicide is drawn into the root systems. Rake up leaves from the lawn as they fall to prevent smothering of grass.

Ornamentals

September and October is an ideal time to plant trees and shrubs. The days are cooler and less stressful on plants. It allows the roots to become established before the ground freezes. Picture the tree at maturity. Select trees and shrubs suitable for the site where they are to be planted.

Some nurseries and garden centers get a fresh selection of trees and shrubs in for fall planting. Others have their spring shipment of woody plants on clearance. When buying a tree or shrub, look it over closely. Take it out of the container and inspect the root system. Plants that have been sitting in a garden center all summer are often pot bound.

Fall is also the ideal time to plant spring flowering bulbs. They should be planted before the ground freezes. When selecting bulbs, keep in mind, the bigger the bulb the larger the flower. For example, small daffodil bulbs will produce small daffodil flowers.

Divide perennial plants now, especially those that bloom in the spring. A rule of thumb on transplanting is, if they bloom in the spring, transplant them in the fall. If they bloom in the fall, transplant in the spring. Tender bulbs like cannas should be dug before a hard freeze. Remove the soil and store in a cool, dry place such as a basement for the winter.

Watch for migrating monarch butterflies as they make their journey south to Mexico. They may be found sipping nectar from many ornamental plants like sweet autumn clematis, coneflowers and black-eyed Susans. Monarch caterpillars can still be found on milkweed plants in early fall. Asters and chrysanthemums are in full bloom at this time, and are often added to the landscape for beautiful fall color. Many pollinators including bees, can be found on native asters which are a nectar and pollen source for bees and butterflies.

Fruits

Many fruits ripen in the fall, including many varieties of apples. There is an apple for every taste and every use. Some taste tart, some mild, some hold their shape during baking, while others cook down into sauce rapidly.

Sooty Blotch and Fly Speck are two fungal diseases which cause surface blemishes on apples. The fungi overwinter in twigs on trees. The fungal spores are windblown typically affecting the fruit in late summer. Disease outbreaks are favored by extended periods of above normal summer temperatures combined with frequent rainfall and high humidity. These diseases can be controlled with fungicide sprays earlier in the season. The apples are fine to eat, but may be unmarketable for growers.

            Missouri has an interesting apple history. In 1904, there were 25 million apple trees planted in Missouri that produced a crop worth $30 million (worth about 501 million in today’s dollars). Census figures of 1913 reported nearly 15,000 apple growers with most of them producing their crop on less than 10 acres of land. In the 1920’s and 30’s many insects and diseases invaded Missouri orchards. Without effective control measures to combat these pests, apple production declined. The Great Armistice Day freeze in November 1940, in which there was an unseasonably warm fall, followed by a rapid drop in temperature, killed thousands of trees not only in Missouri, but also throughout the Midwest. After the freeze, apple production moved westward to states with less erratic climatic conditions and lower pest populations.

Vegetables

Some of the best tasting vegetables I have grown in my garden, were harvested during the fall. Sugars accumulate in vegetables such as turnips, parsnips, carrots and Brussels sprouts in the cooler days of fall making them taste sweeter. The first hard frost in most areas of north Missouri has been well into November the past few years, which allowed gardeners to produce and harvest vegetables almost to Thanksgiving.

Ornamental corn, gourds and pumpkins are ready for harvest and available at most farmers’ markets. They come in all sizes and colors, and make a nice addition to a fall display. Winter squash, including acorn, spaghetti and butternut is not only edible, but can also be used in fall displays. Winter squash should be harvested whenever the fruits have turned a deep, solid color and the rind is hard. Harvest the main part of the crop in September or October, before heavy frosts. Cut squash from the vines carefully, leaving two inches of stem attached. Fruits that are not fully mature, have been injured, have had their stems knocked off, or have been subjected to heavy frost do not store well and should be used as soon as possible or be composted.

Fall is the best time to test garden soil. Application of required nutrients should be done in late fall to allow nutrients to work into the soil over the winter.  Directions for collecting a soil sample are included in this newsletter.