Your Oregon guide to gardening in September

Homes & GardensPublished: Sep. 01, 2026, 4:00 a.m.Use stakes to support tall flowers like sunflowers as fall winds pick up. The OregonianTimely advice on garden chores, fertilizing, pest control, and more from OSU Extension. These tips are not necessarily applicable to all areas of Oregon. For more information, contact your local Extension office.The Oregon State University Extension Service encourages sustainable gardening practices.Practice preventive pest management rather than reactive pest control. Identify and monitor problems before acting, and opt for the least toxic approach. Conserve biological control agents such as predators and the parasitoids that feed on insect pests.Maintenance and cleanupHarvest winter squash when the “ground spot” changes from white to a cream or gold col