Gardeners Checklist: Here Is What to Do the Week of Sept. 8

By Ron Kujawski

* Harvest grapes only when they are fully ripe. Grapes will not ripen further after they are picked. The best way to check for ripeness is to taste one. If the flavor conjures visions of Dionysus, god of grape harvesting and winemaking, it’s ripe; if it conjures images of Chronos, god of time, wait a few days and taste a sample again.

* Be alert to premature fall color and early leaf drop of deciduous trees. Though this is to be expected given the infrequent rainfall this summer, such changes are also an indication of stressed trees. Some people react to this situation by applying fertilizer in the mistaken belief that this will aid the trees’ recovery. However, such a response may do more damage than good. A better option is to use a three-layer deep application of organic mulch around affected trees. Grass should be removed before applying mulch. Also, do not pile the mulch against the tree trunk.

* Plant a cover crop of winter rye or winter wheat in the garden after pulling up spent vegetable crops. These cover crops will grow this fall, go dormant in winter, and resume growth in spring. Turn under the wheat or rye in spring about two weeks before planting in that area.

* Harvest pumpkins when they are uniformly orange and the rind is hard. Leave a three-inch long section of stem attached to the pumpkin. If pumpkins are to be stored for any length of time, wipe their surfaces with soapy water and then allow the pumpkins to dry in a warm, well-ventilated area for two weeks.

* Harvest winter squash when the skin is hard and the fruit is dull in color, as opposed to bright and shiny. Leave a one to two-inch piece of stem attached to the fruit. Treat winter squash the same as pumpkins prior to winter storage.

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This has been a difficult summer for lawns. Periods of drought and heat have taken their toll. Fortunately, as temperatures cool and with a bit of rain, many lawns have recovered to some extent. While I can’t predict what next summer will be like weather-wise, I can see that some attention to lawns now will help them cope better with whatever stresses the summer of 2026 may bring. A key element in improving turfgrass survival next summer is to encourage deeper root development of grass plants. Soil compaction, deep thatch (layer of organic debris on the soil beneath grass plants), and poor drainage are some site factors that discourage deep root formation. A simple strategy to deal with all of these factors is soil aeration. This is best done using a core aerator – available at most equipment rental firms. Core aerators have hollow tines that pull plugs of soil from the ground. This opens up the soil, allowing penetration of air and water. With more oxygen and water moving into the soil, grass plants develop deeper roots. An additional benefit of core aeration is that it speeds the breakdown of thatch.

Ron Kujawski began gardening at an early age on his family's onion farm in upstate New York. Although now retired, he spent most of his career teaching at the UMass Extension Service. He serves on Berkshire Botanical Garden’s Horticulture Advisory Committee. His book, Week-by-Week Vegetable Gardener’s Handbook, is available here.