In This Issue:

1. FALL GARDEN PLANNING WORKSHOP

You've probably heard me say it a hundred times - fall is my favorite growing season. There's something about the cool air that makes vegetables grow like crazy.  They seem greener and more vibrant, like nothing can stop them.  Fall is a great time to try out a new lettuce variety or a experiment with Broccoflower (or some other chartreuse plant). 

If you have never grown a fall garden or want help getting this year's garden started, come to the Gardenerd Fall Garden Planning Workshop on Saturday, September 27th from 3-5 p.m, if you're in the Los Angeles area.  You'll leave this workshop with a plan for what to plant, when and where.  For more details and registration click here.   

Also - just a quick reminder that the next Gardenerd Organic Gardening Series at Santa Monica College starts this Sunday, September 14th from 3-5 p.m.  Visit www.smc.edu for more info and registration.

2. LANDSCAPING - PART 2

If you've been following the Gardenerd Blog, you've read about the beginnings of our landscaping project (in case you missed it, click here for Part 1).  Things are moving along on the home front and we now have more to show for it, even though most of the work is now underground in the form of sprinklers, plumbing, sump pumps, etc.  You can read about the latest developments at the link below: 

Link: Our Landscaping Project - Part 2

3. Product of the Month: Gardenerd Journal

No fall garden is complete without a canvas upon which to paint one's glorious fantasies into garden realities.  The Gardenerd Journal is available in either blank, lined, or dot grid pages.  You can even get it as a task sheet, which combines grid pages with space to write notes.  Whichever you choose, you'll be ready for those waves of inspiration to hit as you plan your fall garden.  Get yours today!

Link: Gardenerd Journal

4. Gardenerd Tip of the Month: Transplanting Herbs to Pots

Before we began demolition on our landscaping project, the herb garden needed to be transplanted from the ground into pots temporarily.  Given that the work crew showed up at 7:30 in the morning, there wasn't much time to transplant with care, but now several weeks later, those herbs are surviving nicely in their pots.  Here are a few pointers for moving ground-bound herbs into pots:

Dig deep and wide around the base of the plant and use your spade to leverage the plant out gently.  If you can get the entire root ball, you lessen the chance of plant shock.

Use a pot that's big enough to allow ample room for roots to expand.  Some plants with small root balls can share a pot.  the general rule of thumb is to have a pot that is at least 2 inches larger in diameter and depth than your root ball.

Start with a good container mix that has organic fertilizer blended in. 

Thoroughly water with kelp or fish emulsion to help reduce plant shock and give the plants a boost of nutrients.  Make sure the pot is watered all the way through.  Let the water settle the soil, rather than packing it down. Add more soil if needed.

Cut back some leaves or cut one third of the leaves in half width-wise to help the plant focus on root production.  Once your herbs are re-established they will begin producing more leaves.  

Stay tuned for more gardening tips and tidbits from the Gardenerd.  Happy Fall Gardening!