15 Native Trees to Plant in September
Native species = low maintenance, adapted to local climates, wildlife-friendly.

1. Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis)
• Zones 5–9 • 20–30′ • Sun–part shade
• Early spring magenta blooms, heart-shaped leaves, pollinator favorite.

2. Magnolia (Magnolia virginiana / M. grandiflora)
• Zones 4–9 • 15–80′ • Sun–part shade
• Waxy, fragrant flowers; evergreen or semi-evergreen; wildlife value.

3. Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis)
• Zones 3–7 • 20–40′ • Sun–part shade
• Cold-hardy evergreen, dense screens, tolerates urban soils.

4. Red Maple (Acer rubrum)
• Zones 3–9 • 40–60′ • Sun–part shade
• Brilliant red–orange fall foliage, fast-growing shade tree.

5. American Holly (Ilex opaca)
• Zones 5–10 • 15–60′ • Sun–part shade
• Evergreen, spiny leaves + red berries; needs male + female for fruit.

6. Serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.)
• Zones 2–8 • 10–15′ • Sun–part shade
• White spring blooms, edible berries, golden fall foliage.

7. Blue Spruce (Picea pungens)
• Zones 3–7 • 30–60′ • Full sun
• Conical evergreen, blue needles, drought-tolerant.

8. Smoketree (Cotinus obovatus)
• Zones 3–8 • 20–30′ • Full sun
• Plum foliage, pink smoky plumes, vibrant fall color.

9. River Birch (Betula nigra)
• Zones 4–9 • 30–70′ • Full sun
• Peeling bark, heat- and pest-tolerant, golden fall leaves.

10. Juniper (Juniperus spp.)
• Zones 3–9 • 2–50′ • Full sun
• Evergreen with blue berries, tough + drought-resistant.

11. Fringetree (Chionanthus virginicus)
• Zones 3–9 • 12–30′ • Sun–part shade
• White, strappy flowers + bird-friendly berries, adaptable.

12. American Hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana)
• Zones 3–9 • 20–30′ • Sun–part shade
• Smooth sinewy bark, host tree for butterflies, golden fall foliage.

13. Arizona Cypress (Hesperocyparis arizonica)
• Zones 7–11 • 40–60′ • Full sun
• Silvery evergreen, heat + drought-tolerant, great windbreak.

14. Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida)
• Zones 5–9 • 15–30′ • Sun–part shade
• White spring bracts, red fall fruit, stunning seasonal display.

15. Silverbell (Halesia carolina)
• Zones 4–8 • 10–40′ • Sun–part shade
• Bell-shaped white flowers in spring, winged nuts in fall.

Tomatoes are garden favorites, but they can face many challenges. Here are the most common issues:
• Wilt – Sudden drooping leaves.
• Virus – Distorted or mottled leaves.
• Grey Mould – Fuzzy growth on stems/leaves.
• Greenback – Fruits stay green near the stem.
• Tomato Blight – Dark spots spreading fast.
• Fruit Splitting – Cracks from uneven watering.
• Blossom End Rot – Black sunken spots on bottoms.
• Sun Scorch – Pale, burned patches on fruits.
• Pests – Whitefly, greenfly, blackfly, red spider mite & caterpillars.

Tip: Keep soil evenly moist, rotate crops, and remove diseased leaves early.

#TomatoCare #OrganicGardening

The Silent Soil Crisis: Why Earthworms Matter
Why Healthy Soil is a Big Deal
Earthworms aerate soil, making it easier for roots, water, and air to penetrate.

Just 1 acre of healthy land can support up to 1 million worms, processing 10 tons of soil a year!

Without worms, soil becomes compacted, nutrient-poor, and drought-prone.

A healthy underground network = a thriving garden above.

What’s Harming Earthworms
Heavy machinery and foot traffic crush soil structure and tunnels.

Leaf removal starves worms and exposes soil to extreme weather.

Pesticides & fertilizers kill worms and vital microbes.

Bare winter soil leads to deeper freezing and worm die-off.

How You Can Help
Leave the leaves – mulch garden beds naturally.

Create a leaf compost zone – slow-feed the soil over time.

Avoid walking on wet soil – protect fragile structure.

Feed the soil organically – use compost, not chemicals.

Earthworms can live up to 8 years in a healthy environment — or die within weeks in a compacted one.
They’ve been enriching earth for 300 million years — let’s not undo their work!

Growing in pots is an ideal technique for small spaces. Here are some fruits you can grow in pots, along with their planting and harvesting times:
1. Strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa)
- Growing season: Spring and fall
- Harvesting season: 60-90 days after planting
2. Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)
- Growing season: Spring and summer
- Harvesting season: 70-120 days after planting
3. Cucumber (Cucumis sativus)
- Growing season: Spring and summer
- Harvesting season: 50-70 days after planting
4. Mango (Mangifera indica)
- Growing season: Spring and summer
- Harvesting season: 3-5 years after planting
5. Pear (Pyrus communis)
- Growing season: Fall and winter
- Harvesting season: 3-5 years after planting
6. Apple (Malus domestica)
- Growing season: Autumn and winter
- Harvesting season: 2-5 years after planting
7. Orange (Citrus sinensis)
- Growing season: Spring and summer
- Harvesting season: 2-5 years after planting
8. Lemon (Citrus limon)
- Growing season: Spring and summer
- Harvesting season: 2-5 years after planting
9. Grape (Vitis vinifera)
- Growing season: Spring and summer
- Harvesting season: 2-5 years after planting
10. Raspberry (Rubus idaeus)
- Growing season: Spring and autumn
- Harvesting season: 60-90 days after planting
11. Blackberry (Rubus fruticosus)
- Growing season: Spring and autumn
- Harvesting season: 60-90 days after planting
12. Plum (Prunus domestica)
- Growing season: Autumn and winter
- Harvest season: 2-5 years after planting
13. Peach (Prunus persica)
- Growing season: Spring and summer
- Harvest season: 2-5 years after planting
14. Nectarine (Prunus persica var. Nectarine)
- Growing season: Spring and summer
- Harvesting season: 2-5 years after planting
15. Pitahaya (Hylocereus spp.)
- Growing season: Spring and summer
- Harvesting season: 2-5 years after planting
16. Guava (Psidium guajava)
- Growing season: Spring and summer
- Harvesting season: 2-5 years after planting
17. Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana)
- Growing season: Spring and summer
- Harvesting season: 3-5 years after planting
18. Rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum)
- Growing season: Spring and summer
- Harvesting season: 2-5 years after planting
19. Lychee (Litchi chinensis)
- Growing season: Spring and summer
- Harvesting season: 2-5 years after planting
20. Papaya (Carica papaya)
- Growing season: Spring and summer
- Harvest season: 1-2 years after planting