​Definition of “Falsy”:  Okay, I’ll let you look up the definition.  For this article I’m using the term to define plants that have in their common name the word “False”. 
 
I wander around nurseries with hardly any idea about what I want, hoping that I will see something interesting to fit my garden.  I’ve found some good plants this way.  And I like wandering around greenhouses.  However, this is not the best way to select plants because when I get home I end up walking around my garden with said plant in hand wondering where to put this new acquisition. 
 
I have some criteria for perennials in my garden:  longevity, low maintenance, hardy in my climate, resistant to diseases and pests, no winter protection needed, long blooming or attractive foliage, not invasive, and doesn’t need staking.  But sometimes I just want to have fun and I throw all those important criteria out.  Sometimes that fun is something that has an interesting name.  

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Do you want no raking, no removing debris, no hauling mulch and drastically reduced work in cleaning up your perennial beds this spring?  The equipment you will need is your lawn mower and broadcast spreader.  And the timing is just about now, well not quite now with snow and ice still on the ground.  But pretty soon.
 

​There are many systems for indoors that claim to do a great job delivering moisture for houseplants.  But as gardeners we know that each plant has its own finicky needs and the challenge even for hand watering is how to provide just the right amount.  Several winters ago, I tested a few systems prior to going on a two-week trip.  While my neighbor has proven to be even more reliable than myself, it was time to find an alternative way to take care of the plants.  

​My fall chore list has become shorter over the years as I have discovered easier methods of dealing with leaves on the lawn with frequent mowing with my mulching lawn mower.  Leaves that land in the perennial beds are left there to provide protection over the winter.  The only area that I clean up is the vegetable garden by removing dead material after the frost. 

​I have been taking pictures of my gardens all season long so I can reference them in the off-season.  My camera is an essential garden tool to record successes and failures, to document what needs to be done next year, and to steal ideas from other gardeners.  

Believe it or not – it is almost time to start bringing in your houseplants from the summer vacation outdoors.  Don't wait until the first freeze/frost warnings are posted for the fall.  Many of our houseplants are from the tropics and get stressed when nighttime temperatures dip lower than 50°.  I start by moving the houseplants to shadier spots in the garden around the beginning of September.  This gives them time to acclimate to the lower light conditions in our homes.   ​

Activities for September

• Fertilize lawn around Labor Day- if you only do it once this is the best time to do it.  Any later in Zone 3 and the grass doesn't have time to  take advantage of the food.  
• Fertilize Astillbes - these perennials are heavy feeders and I give them a little boost this time of year with a light fertilizer, usually 10-10-10 or less. 
• Stop fertilizing - Besides Astillbes, the lawn, and any annuals it is best to stop fertilizing.  Fertilizing would encourage new growth and instead you want the plants to start getting ready for winter by going dormant. 
• Deadhead perennials - this is a good time to deadhead those that are self-seeders that you don't want spreading.  Also be sure to deadhead phlox if you want them to stay true and not cross-fertilize with other types.   I leave the seed heads on most of my perennials as food for the birds during the winter and to create some winter interest.  
• Clean up the garden - the one place that I clear out is the vegetable garden to keep any diseases and pests from overwintering.  I leave my perennials standing during the winter.  One exception is that I cut down any perennials that have had a disease or pest problem.  There have been aphids on my Heliopsis  (common name:  False Sunflower) so those will get cut down to the grounds after they die back this year. 
• Bring in tender plants - for any plants that have spent the summer outside, I start to get them ready to bring inside.  First step is to move them to shadier spots to get them used to the lower inside light.  I then hose them down and treat with an insecticide soap to prevent them from bringing pests into the house.  They are then isolated in the garage for about a week to insure no pests.  
• Use the mower to chop leaves - As leaves begin to drop I use the mower to mulch them right back into the lawn.  Any leaves dropping on the perennial beds are left there until spring (when I use the mower again to mulch them right in the beds.)  For areas where the mower can't do the job, I use a mulching lawn vacuum and then dump the leaves in perennial or shrub beds that could use a bit more.  This minimizes hauling leaves around and puts them to good use right where they land.  
• Order fall planted bulbs - if not already done, this is a good time to order those spring bulbs and roots planted in the fall.  This includes tulips, daffodils, minor spring bulbs, garlic, rhubarb, peonies, lilies, foxtails, and many more.  All these can be planted when the ground temperature reaches 50 degrees or after the first good freeze (usually in October and as late as November.)