Despite dry weather, this year’s Dawson County Produce Market was a great success. 

The number of sellers and buyers has increased each year. 

On one market day there were 15 gardeners and farmers selling locally grown produce.

Since most summer gardens have finished this year’s production, the last day for the Dawson County Produce Market will be Wednesday, Sept. 10. 

I thank both sellers and buyers for making this year’s produce market the best ever.

As we continue the fall season, some may think lawn and garden activities have ended. 

September should be a busy time as we prepare for the cooler months ahead. 

Listed below are a few timely tips to keep in mind:

• Pick bagworms from evergreen shrubs. This will eliminate the spring hatch from overwintered eggs.

• As you clean out the flower beds, mark the spots where late starting perennials will come up next spring to avoid damaging them while working in the beds.

• Don’t retire the lawn mower when the growth of your lawn slows down this fall.  As long as the grass continues to grow, it should be mowed.

• Fall is a good time to control certain broadleaf weeds in the lawn including chickweed, white clover, dandelion and wild onion.

• You can reduce the number of pests on fruit trees next year by picking up and destroying all fallen fruit, branches and leaves. 

Worms and other pests feed on this fruit over winter in the soil, and emerge in the spring to lay eggs and start the cycle all over again.

• Late-fall tilling can help control insects, such as corn borer, corn earworm, cucumber beetle, squash bug and vine borer, because it exposes over wintering insects to winter conditions. It also makes spring soil preparation easier.

Remember, when all else is done, you always have leaves to rake.

Clark Beusse is the Dawson County extension agent.