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September is when Mother Nature begins reminding us that winter is coming. The days are shorter, the nights are cooler, and the rays of the sun grow long and golden. This light makes the sky bluer and accentuates the purples and golds of our fall flowers. As the leaves turn, they are ablaze with yellows and reds. We trade our shorts for sweaters and get to the business of fall chores, happy to feel cool breezes instead of stifling heat. On average, our first frost occurs in mid-October, but there is no guarantee that it won’t happen at any point during September. That means we need to turn our attention to season-extenders like floating row covers, hoop tunnels, and cold-frames. Protected plantings of sturdy greens like lettuce, kale, chard, and mustard can yield salads up to or even past Thanksgiving! Seeds for fall planting are in good supply at the LTPL Seed Library.
As you are pulling out spent summer crops, September is the perfect time to plant cover crops. Cover crops, also known as “green manure,” have traditionally been used by farmers but are becoming increasingly popular in backyard gardens for adding organic matter to soil and improving soil health. If you would like to learn more, please watch LTPL’s online presentation on Cover Crops for Michigan Home Gardens.
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Blend, brew, and enjoy an irresistible selection of herbal teas while herbalist Bevin Cohen shares his knowledge on the history and folklore of various herbal ingredients. Document your impressions of each herb’s aroma and flavor as we explore the various layers of a well-crafted herbal tea. Create a custom herbal tea to enjoy at home with a make-and-take activity!
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Flavorful garlic is a nearly fool-proof fall crop for the adventurous gardener. Join us to learn which types of garlic grow best in Michigan and how to grow plump and flavorful bulbs that will store all winter. We will also learn how to use this healthy herb in yummy recipes! Garlic is LTPL Grow's "Herb of the Month", and attendees will be automatically signed up for kits and eligible to pick up their kit the day of the program.
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Ed Blondin takes you on an exploration of the Western world’s original herbal healers. Starting 6ooo years ago in ancient Sumeria, these healers took on the many roles that lay the foundation of modern medicine. We will explore the stereotypes of the Witch/Healer and how those figures drove economics, religion, health care and American pop culture into the 21st century. Ed Blondin is the owner of Hortulus Gardens & Landscape, a niche garden design company serving the needs of clients in S. E. Michigan. When not in a garden, Ed is exploring the history of gardens throughout the millennia. His lectures offer humorous and historical perspectives on gardening and how these garden traditions have molded our western social ‘norms’ and, of course, our modern garden aesthetic!
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The LTPL Seed Library is well-stocked with seeds that you need for planting in September! Quick-growing crops that thrive in cooler weather can be planted now! From radishes and turnips to greens to broccoli raab, we have loads of seeds that are available at no cost to you. The mission of the seed library is to promote gardening and encourage sustainability through seed saving. Although it is not required, we hope that you will attempt to save seeds from your crops and return them to the seed library to help keep it self-sustaining. First time users of the Seed Library need to register. You may do so with this form or in-person at the seed library. Once you have registered, you log your initials and number of packets taken on the clipboard. The clipboard and instructions are on top of the Seed Library cabinet. Gardening handouts are available at the Seed Library and also on the LTPL Grows Webpage, along with plenty of informative and entertaining videos!
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This September: - Clean up spent plants and weeds and put into compost as long as they are disease free. Remove seed heads of weeds before composting.
- Amend the bare spots with finished compost and direct-sow seeds for quick-growing fall crops like radishes, turnips, cilantro, spinach, lettuce, broccoli raab, and mustard. Even though these crops are frost hardy, prepare to cover if frost threatens. Frost won’t kill them, but it might signal to the plants that it is time to stop actively growing.
- If you aren’t going to replant, consider sowing a cover crop to add organic matter to your soil. (Cover crop seed samples are available in the seed library)
- Begin planting your spring bulbs.
- Look for bargain perennials and woody plants from nurseries hoping to clear their benches. Divide and replant daylilies, peonies, hostas, and iris. There is still time for them to establish roots before the really cold weather sets in. Trees and shrubs transplant well in the cool fall weather.
- Allow your non-hybrid tomatoes, eggplants, peppers, cucumbers, and squash to fully ripen on the plant or vine. Make sure correct seed-saving practices have been followed to keep them pure. Information and online resources for saving seed can be found on the LTPL website.
- If you have houseplants summering outdoors, give them a good rinse and inspect them for pests and other hitchhikers (I’m talking to you, Mr. Toad).
Find additional resources to get started here:
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Misha chronicles her family’s journey from fast-paced city life to a small farm in Washington State. She shares the wisdom she has gained from life with gardens, animals, flowers, and her family in this beautifully photographed book.
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Ms. Maier collects wisdom, both ancient and modern, from traditional healing practices of Indigenous peoples from all over the world. She explains how to identify imbalances in the body and profiles 25 healing herbs and how to use them to correct those imbalances and improve overall health.
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In this fascinating memoir, the author recounts his story of moving back to his family farm in Scotland, longing to find a connection between his past and his modern day life. He finds much more, including the urgent need for conservation of the land, animals, and way of life in his homeland.
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Find more information on LTPL Grows and other resources!
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Visit and "like" for gardening news, tips and upcoming events.
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