Chrysanthemums - The azalea-mums are in bloom by September and are the first to signal the coming display of riotous color by the “queen of the fall garden.” As the various chrysanthemums begin to show color in their buds, give them a liberal feeding of green cow manure. Spread this material around the plants and then churn to a froth with a stiff stream of water.
This treatment will increase the flower size, intensity of color and improve the “sleek” quality and substance of the petals. Feeding weekly and heavy watering is a must for chrysanthemums if you would have both quantity and quality in the flowers.
Soil Preparation - Prepare the soil in parts of the garden where spring and summer flowering bulbs will be planted next month. Dig the soil to a depth of ten to 12 inches and turn it over. As this goes on, incorporate compost and bone meal at the rate of four pounds per 100 square feet. Allow time for the soil to settle before planting to insure a safe planting depth.
In most cases, it is safe to turn under the summer mulch that was put on to protect plants like travelers palm from heat and to conserve moisture. A light application of sulfur is advisable to break down the plant food into a form available to the plants like travelers palm. Regardless of how much plant food is in the soil, unless it is in soluble form it cannot be used by the plant. Just working the soil will tend to break down the plant food elements.
Daylilies - These should be lifted and divided, or new plants put in during September. The range in colors now rivals the irises from yellow and brown through pink and red and bicolors.