• Begin fall fertilization of cool-season lawns. Three light feedings made on a "holiday" schedule — approximately Labor Day, Halloween and Thanksgiving — work better than one single heavy application.

• Begin fall seeding and sodding of cool-season grasses. Now through mid-October is the ideal window of opportunity.

• Continue to monitor plants for spider mite activity during hot weather. Forceful sprays of water can reduce their numbers below a damaging threshold.

• Stop deadheading coneflower seedheads now to allow seed-eating birds to enjoy the harvest.

• Dig and pot up garden herbs such as parsley, rosemary, chives, thyme and marjoram now for growing indoors this winter. Leave them outdoors until frost is on our doorstep.