September 6, 2025 Weekly Gardening Guide
Episode Transcript
Opening
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Hello, growers, and welcome back to the Keep Growing podcast! I’m your host, John Morgan, coming to you from the Mid-Ohio Valley with your gardening roadmap for Week 37 of 2025, spanning September 6th through September 12th. We’ve got a packed week of gardening tasks, a full moon to guide us, and a weather forecast to keep us growing. Plus, I’ll share some exciting news about where I’m headed this week. Let’s dig in!
Key Gardening Tasks for Week 37
1. Divide Peonies
Now’s the perfect time to divide those gorgeous peonies in your garden. Their vibrant blooms are a springtime staple, but dividing them in early fall ensures healthy growth next season. Dig up the clumps, gently separate the roots, and make sure each division has at least three to five eyes. Replant them in well-drained soil with plenty of sunlight, and you’ll be rewarded with even more blooms come spring.
2. Harvest Early Pumpkins
Pumpkin season is creeping up! For those early varieties, check for a deep, solid color and a hard rind. If they’re ready, cut them from the vine, leaving a few inches of stem. Store them in a cool, dry place to keep them fresh for fall displays or your favorite pumpkin recipes.
3. Plant Garden Mums
Chrysanthemums, or garden mums, are the stars of fall gardens. Now’s the time to plant these beauties to ensure they establish roots before the first frost. Choose a sunny spot with good drainage, and don’t be afraid to mix in some compost to give them a nutrient boost. With proper care, they’ll bring a burst of color to your autumn landscape.
4. Begin 14 Hours of Darkness for Poinsettias
For those of you growing poinsettias, it’s time to start their color-changing process. These holiday favorites need 14 hours of complete darkness each night to trigger their vibrant red, white, or pink bracts. Cover them or move them to a dark space each evening, and keep them in bright, indirect light during the day. Consistency is key to getting those festive colors by December!
5. Full Moon Planting – Sunday, September 7th
The full moon rises on Sunday, September 7th, and it’s an ideal time for planting root crops. Think carrots, beets, or turnips, especially in cold frames to extend your growing season. The lunar energy is said to favor root development, so get those seeds in the ground and watch them thrive!
Mid-Ohio Valley Weather Forecast
Let’s talk weather for the Mid-Ohio Valley. Cool nights are on the way, with mostly clear skies and calm conditions. Lows will dip below normal, hitting the lower 50s in the lowlands, with Sunday night being the chilliest of the week. Daytime highs on Sunday and Monday will stay in the 70s, also below normal. A strong high-pressure system will keep things dry through most of the week, so no need to worry about rain disrupting your gardening plans. However, keep an eye out for Thursday, when a cold front from the Great Lakes might move in. Models are still uncertain, but it looks like a dry front, so no major weather disruptions are expected. As always, protect tender plants if those nighttime temps drop lower than forecasted.
Closing Note
Before I sign off, I’m thrilled to share that I’m headed to the CEA Summit East in Danville, Virginia, this week, where I’ll be speaking about our educational outreach program at Bob’s Market and Greenhouses and my work with Seed Your Future. This organization is all about promoting green collar careers, and I’m passionate about inspiring the next generation of horticulturists. Speaking of which, Green Career Week is just around the corner next month! Visit our website for details on how you can get involved and explore opportunities in the green industry.
That’s all for this week’s episode. Keep your hands in the soil and your heart in the garden. Until next time, keep growing!
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