September Yard To-Do List

What do I love to do in my September yard here in New England? It's certainly not the items on my September yard to-do list, I'll tell you that! After a summer of yard work, I'm much more interested in taking it easy during the fall. Heck, I have to rest up for a winter of shoveling snow, right?

No, my idea of how to spend my time in September is to keep an eye out for signs of fall. Not that I'm rushing the summer, mind you. But fall is coming whether I want it to or not, and I might as well enjoy the autumn season to the fullest. Here are some of the signs of fall's imminent arrival that I've already witnessed:

• My hardshell gourds are mature enough to tempt me to pick them and turn them into gourd jack-o-lanterns
• Sumac is starting to turn shades of pink and orange.
• The orange fruit of the bittersweet berries is showing.
• Virginia creeper leaves are becoming reddish.
• The volunteer butternut squash in my compost bin is turning tan.
• The fruit on my neighbor's apple trees is ripening.
• Yellow jackets are stepping up their activity, putting me on the alert against yellow jacket stings.

How about you? If you've seen some signs of fall you'd like to report, please use the Comments section below.

OK, I've procrastinated enough in getting to the work that needs to be done in September. What should you be doing in the yard for this month? Well, that depends on what region you inhabit. Consult this September yard to-do list compiled by Marie Iannotti to see what you can be doing to ensure that your yard will remain the best it can be as we enter the autumn season. About's Gardening Guide organizes her tips according to whether you live in a cool climate or a warmer one.

_{Photo of bittersweet berries ©2006 David Beaulieu (licensed to About.com)}