Fall isn’t just a transition season. It’s prime time for growing, planting, refreshing and planning ahead. There are mums to plant, lawns to revive and cooler days to enjoy. And there’s plenty of growing season left to leverage.

At JRM, we think of September as one of those valuable in-between months when you can appreciate what’s happening in the moment while getting a leg up on what’s next: the busy holiday season.

For homeowners and landscape professionals, this means making the most of ideal conditions for planting perennials, reseeding or overseeding the lawn, and “divide and conquer” tasks like splitting hostas.

Meanwhile, retail garden centers are leaning into fall color, thanks to nurseries’ late spring focus on cultivating mums. And whether you’re in the interiorscape business or decorating at home, you know the holidays will be here soon enough.

For now, let’s make the most of fall. Consider this your September get-it-done list.

Give Summer-Worn Lawns a Fresh Start

Your lawn has been through a lot.

Heat. Dry spells. Backyard barbecues. Kids. Pets. Foot traffic. By September, even a healthy lawn can be showing signs of a busy summer. The good news is, fall is an ideal time to give turf some attention.

Aerating compacted soil helps water, air and nutrients reach the root zone. Pair that with overseeding to fill thin or bare areas and you can help set the stage for thicker, healthier turf.

The key is giving those new seeds the best opportunity to get established.

Soil Moist Seed Coat can help support the process. The polymer compound retains moisture around the seed, helping soften seed tissue and promote faster germination, while graphite retains heat at the seed surface and helps seed flow more easily through spreading equipment.

A little goes a long way: 8 ounces treats up to 50 pounds of grass seed.

Whether you’re repairing a few backyard trouble spots or tackling a larger commercial property, think of fall lawn care as an investment in what you’ll see next spring.

Mums the Word

By September, summer annuals may be losing some of their swagger. Mums are ready to pick up where tired plants left off.

From bronze and orange to purple, pink, white, yellow and green, mums can refresh landscapes without requiring a major seasonal overhaul. They fill gaps in beds, take over containers that have run their course and bring concentrated color to entrances and other high-visibility areas.

For garden centers, of course, that fall color started months ago. Mums cultivated in late spring are now ready to take center stage, just as customers begin looking for ways to refresh patios, porches and landscapes. Creative displays, unexpected color combinations and plenty of healthy inventory can help keep shoppers inspired — and the gardening season going.

Whether those mums are headed for a homeowner’s porch or a commercial landscape, don’t overlook what’s happening below the blooms. Healthy soil conditions help new plantings establish before colder weather arrives. Soil Moist Plant Thrive, a microbial-based product designed for planting applications, can be used as a drench or foliar spray to support plants as they settle in.

What many people don’t realize is how much water mums drink. They’re thirsty plants, and it’s easy to forget this when fall’s cooler temperatures set in. Remember, wind is also a moisture-suck that can dehydrate containers, especially.

The solution? You have options. Soil Moist Granular reduces plant waterings by 50% and lasts for three to five years. (That’s ROI.) And for a convenient water solution Soil Moist Spikes can be tucked into the planting medium and deliver time-release moisture to keep mums, or any plant, hydrated for longer between watering.

Think a Season Ahead

September décor can have a foot in both seasons. Fall colors feel right at home now, while a few versatile accents can easily evolve as the holidays approach.

At home or in the office, start with what you already have and look for simple ways to refresh it. Clear vases and bowls offer plenty of possibilities for seasonal arrangements, centerpieces and tabletop displays. Add flowers, greenery or candles, then play with color and texture to make the look your own.

JRM’s Deco Beads and Deco Cubes offer another way to get creative. Available in a range of colors, they can be layered or mixed in clear containers and paired with fresh or silk flowers and candles. Start with a fall palette now, then change things up as the calendar moves toward the holidays.

Need some inspiration? Check out JRM’s past Deco Beads and Deco Cubes decorating contest winners. There are plenty of clever ideas to get the creativity flowing.

Fall into What’s Next

September may sit between seasons, but there’s plenty to make the most of right now.

Aerate and overseed. Refresh beds and containers. Bring on the mums. Add a little seasonal color indoors. And, yes, start thinking about the busy months ahead.

The key is to make fall count without rushing through it. A little attention now can refresh tired landscapes, strengthen what’s growing and set the stage for the season ahead.

What’s on your fall to-do list? Whether you’re tackling a lawn or landscape project, planning for your garden center or looking for creative ways to use JRM products, we’d love to hear from you. Get in touch and tell us what you’re working on.