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Recognized in 2013 as the official botanical gardens of the state of Tennessee, the University of Tennessee Gardens located in Knoxville, Jackson and Crossville are part of the UT Institute of Agriculture. Some 4,000 annuals, perennials, herbs, tropical plants, trees, shrubs, vegetables and ornamental grasses are evaluated each year. Both the Knoxville and Jackson gardens are TN Certified Arboreta. The gardens are open during all seasons and are free to the public.

 

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  • September #1
    Begin planting cabbage, kale and pansies in the latter part of the month.
  • September #2
    Apply a pre-emergent herbicide on your lawn to control cool-season weeds, such as chickweed, henbit, dead nettle, and annual bluegrass (Poa annua). For best control, apply by Labor Day.
  • September #3
    Keep an eye out for pests on your pumpkins, gourds, squash, and melons. Cucumber beetles and squash bugs can be controlled with Sevin. Harvest your pumpkins when their color deepens and their skin yields very little to pressure. Wash the fruits in a weak bleach solution and store in a cool, dry location until you are ready to display them.
  • September #4
    To ensure proper maturity, hard-shelled gourds, such as dipper, birdhouse and swan should be left on the vine until the vine starts to die back.
  • September #5
    Divide and repot any tropicals you have outdoors to prepare them for their winter home. Hose off or wash plants with soapy water and inspect them for insects. If needed, treat them with an appropriate insecticide. Imidacloprid, the active ingredient in many of the new insecticides, is a good systemic for insect control. It can be mixed with water and poured on the soil. The plant will take it up.
  • September #6
    Collect seed heads and pods on plants like sumac, okra, cotton, coneflower, rose hips, and other suitable materials for dried arrangements. Air dry in a dark, well-ventilated cool location.
  • September #7
    If you have had problems with disease among the vegetables in your garden, remove and dispose of the plant materials properly. Do not add these to the compost pile. Many diseases will overwinter on infected leaves, stems and fruit. This is especially important with tomatoes.

 View gardening tips for the entire year.

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