September means great deals on plants

Q. Many nurseries are offering great deals on plants now that the busy season is over. I would like to take advantage, but am wondering whether they survive if I plant them in the heat of summer.A. Now that the early summer growing frenzy is fading and the hot and humid days of July have blended into early September and slightly cooler nights, gardeners can find great bargains at plant centers. A little pampering of any purchases will help them become established. Some garden centers try to unload annuals and perennials they couldn't sell in spring, but others will bring in fresh plants for their inventory. Inexpensive flowers which are "leggy" may not look like much of a bargain, but they can be revived. When you take these from their containers you will probably notice a dense mat of roots without much soil attached. If this is the case, you have a root bound plant which needs a little surgery before transplanting. Just use a knife or scissors to score all around the root ball in order to break up the mat of roots. To promote more healthy growth above ground, a good trim will help. By removing the top half of the current growth (include stems, leaves and flowers) the plant will not only look better but will be revitalized.Finding a perennial at a bargain price gives you a chance to try new specimens. Planting perennials now gives them time to establish healthy root systems without having to supply nourishment for a summer growing season. If the plant looks a little tired, give it some sprucing up by removing any brown leaves and deadheading spent flowers. This will promote leaf and root development.#160; Shrubs and trees which haven't sold during the season can also be a good bargain. Roots of plants will continue growing as long as the ground temperature is above 50 F. By planting these as the temperatures begin to cool, roots have a chance to grow all autumn and through the winter.All plants will require plenty of water as they are becoming established and developing strong root systems in the soil. However, you want to make sure that water delivered to the plants go straight to the roots. Water early in the morning to prevent disease from water that lingers. Keep water off leaves when temperatures are high. By planting at this time, you will conserve water when temperatures begin to moderate. Because of the shorter days, photosynthesis is slowed and plants will use less water. As fall approaches, evaporation rates slow down, so water in the soil lasts longer as well.Frequently check your new plants for pests which are looking for a late season treat. With the first fall frost dates in the Chicago area ranging between Oct. 7 and Oct. 21, you will have many days to enjoy any new purchases for your garden.Q. Is it necessary to add "compost additive" to my compost pile? What about adding fertilizer or lime?A. Compost piles must be big enough (at least 3 feet by 3 feet and 4 feet tall) to retain heat before they will maintain rapid decomposition. Add small pieces of material to the pile as the smaller the size, the more surface area provided on which microbes can work. Chopping up leaves with a lawn mower or leaf shredder before they are added to the pile aids considerably. Aim to keep materials slightly wet since they will decompose quicker than dry ones. The pile should have the moisture content of a wrung-out sponge. Since microorganisms need oxygen to function, periodic turning will help keep oxygen in good supply. Turn the compost pile once a week when adding new materials. Be careful about adding lime to your compost, especially if your compost will be given to acid loving plants such as azaleas, rhododendrons, potatoes or blueberries. Adding lime to a compost pile is generally not advised. People sometimes add nitrogen fertilizer to their compost pile if their Carbon to Nitrogen (C: N) is excessively high in carbon. Compostable materials such as wood chips, paper, and sawdust, for example, have a very high Carbon to Nitrogen ratio. These materials are often known as the "browns" in the compost pile. Some gardeners will add nitrogen fertilizer to help break down the carbon faster in the "browns." Another method is to simply add more organic materials with a much lower Carbon to Nitrogen ratio with "greens" such as vegetable waste, grass clippings, and other green plant matter. For more information on the Carbon to Nitrogen ratio and other tips on composting, visit the following website: http://web.extension.illinois.edu/homecompost/science.html.bull; Provided by Mary Boldan, Mary Moisand and Donna Siemro, University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners. Send questions to Ask a Master Gardener, c/o Friendship Park Conservatory, 395 W. Algonquin Road, Des Plaines, IL 60016, (847) 298-3502 or via e-mail to cookcountymg.com@gmail.com.