09/03/2026
GARDEN TIPS
> Vegetables to plant in September: Plant transplants or seeds of broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, Chinese cabbage, collards, English and snow peas, Irish potatoes (plant small, whole potatoes), kale, kohlrabi, leek, lettuce, mustard, shallots (plant small bulbs) and Swiss chard. Plant seeds of snap beans, beets, carrots, onions, radish, rutabagas and turnips. It’s getting late, but plant tomato and bell pepper transplants this week if you haven’t already.
> Herbs to plant in September: Plant transplants of basil, sage, rosemary, thyme, oregano, chives, lavender, Mexican tarragon and mints. Plant seeds or transplants of dill, parsley, fennel, cilantro, arugula, borage, chamomile and chervil.
> Make sure poinsettias in pots or in the ground in your landscape do not receive artificial light at night from nearby flood lights, porch lights or streetlights from now on. Light at night can prevent them from blooming.
> Repeat flowering roses, such as hybrid teas, grandifloras, Chinas, Bourbons, teas, floribundas and landscape roses (such as Knock Out and Drift roses), should be cut back by about one-third now. This prepares them for the fall blooming season. Pruning controls size, removes dead wood and stimulates vigorous new growth that will produce lots of flowers. Fertilize after pruning.
> If you want your kids to work in the garden, it’s a good idea to purchase gardening tools specially made for them and properly sized for them to use. This gives kids a chance to identify with gardening more closely since they have their own tools. It’s safer too.
> Some banana trees have produced fruit this year despite last winter’s freezes. It will generally take four to six months for fruit to reach full size after flowering. The fruit will generally look smoother or plump as it ripens, changing from square or sharp angular shape in cross section to a more rounded shape. Fruit should be harvested when full-sized but green and allowed to ripen off the tree. This is because the fruit will often split if left on the plant until fully ripe.
> Paniculata hydrangeas, such as Limelight and other varieties, are still relatively new to south Louisiana gardeners. They are a different species from the more common big leaf or mophead hydrangeas we have typically grown. Paniculata hydrangeas produce cone-shaped clusters of white flowers. The flower heads will develop pink and rosy colors as they age. After the flowers become unattractive, prune them off. To control size and increase bushiness, cut back paniculata hydrangeas in late winter or early spring. They bloom on new growth, unlike garden hydrangeas that bloom on buds set in late summer the year before.
> Many crape myrtles are shedding leaves due to a fungal disease called Cercospora leaf spot. While raking leaves is a nuisance, the disease is well-tolerated by the trees and there is no need to treat them.
