The wildlife activity in my yard is picking up commensurate with plant growth.  Birds, insects and reptiles are enjoying the permanent 'green cover' as much as I am.  

And speaking of wildlife, did you happen to see my column about building an 'insect hotel' in the Toronto Star [or one of the other 22 newspapers that carry my column]?  Seriously, this has been so much fun.  Lots of people have been in touch who want to build one for themselves.

Once people learn how useful it is to attract beneficial insects to their yard, plus frogs, turtles, voles, salamanders, birds and the like, they get quite excited about this idea.  

When I showed my friend Jeff H my new insect hotel he said, "you know, about 30% of our Canada AM viewers will have no idea of what we just talked about."  Which was his way of saying that this is an amazing, revolutionary concept that will take a while for people to digest.  I get that Jeff.  

I also get that you may be one of the 30%, but you know what?  When you DO get it you will want to hire me to come to your P.E.I. home and build YOU an insect hotel.   All in great fun, of course.  Serious fun. 

I made a huge mistake this spring that I am paying for now: I sowed 50 tomato seeds that came in packets erroneously labeled 'San Morano' [paste] tomatoes.

They germinated, grew into large plants and produced an abundant crop of 'grape' tomatoes.  Not much good for making tomato paste or sauce!  My buddy Ted Muktar at Mother's Deli in Unionville is going to have to procure his tomatoes elsewhere this season which is such a shame.  He just renovated his cook/deli and is so ready to get to work!

The good news is that I have a record crop of fresh garlic, which is his for the taking.  Plus 'Banana' potatoes, sweet peppers, beets and heritage carrots.  Ted turns my produce into a wonderful work of food-art, sells it in his deli and together we donate the proceeds to the local food bank.  

We enjoy this arrangement and have a lot of fun with it.  Please go see Ted for the latest and buy some of his tomato sauce, even if it does not include my tomatoes.  Next year for sure!!!

-  Dig and divide peonies [best time of year for this], hostas and day lilies. Move divisions around your garden or give them away: make new friends 

-  Pick veggies as they become ripe: September is 'tomato' month.

-  Sow quality, Canadian Golfgreen grass seed on thin patches of your lawn or start a new lawn.  Best month to do it all year!

-  Bring tropical plants inside, before evening temperatures dip below 7 or 8 degrees c.  

-  Prune back perennials that bloomed over a month ago by about �

-  Prune cedar hedges

-  Plant: September 24th is National Tree Day.  Plant a tree. Celebrate and protect a heritage tree.  Hug a tree.  Go to www.nationaltreeday.ca For details of events across the country.  Home Hardware sponsors over 100 such events.  www.homehardware.ca

-  Cut flowers and bring them inside.  Give excess away and make more new friends. 

-  Attend local garden events: check out your community garden club, hort society and activities in local public parks.  Do it while you can!  Hockey season will be here soon enough and it will be hard to get off the couch.

Keep in touch!  

Last month I ran a contest and asked you to submit a photo of your garden.  20 winners were chosen based on the 'most liked' photos.

Thank you to everyone who submitted a photo.  And thank you to all who 'voted' for their favourite photo. You can view all of the photos here.

20 winners received a copy of The Harrowsmith Almanac Gardening Digest. 

Subscribing to Harrowsmith's Almanac just got even better!  A subscription now includes print and digital editions of the Almanac, Gardening Digest and two new bonus magazines: Harrowsmith Homes and My Kind of Town.

There is a special introductory offer that gives readers digital access to all 4 magazines free so it's the best time to take advantage of the three-year better deal offer.

Contest: Visit www.harrowsmithalmanac.com which has a "click here" button to subscribe.  

One winner will be chosen every other week in September, from those who subscribe through the online store.  The winners will receive their subscription at no cost.

Please make sure you enter this special promo code into the notes area on shopify and you will entered in the contest.   The promo code is: Mark Cullen 09-14

The Mark's Choice product development team had a lot of fun developing this one.  

This tote makes weeding, clean up, and harvest easier and with less mess.  

The shoulder strap keeps your hands free, and the side pockets are perfect for pruners, hand tools, and - if you must - cell phones.

This is another example of a unique product that fits a specific need in the garden.

Home Hardware # 5011-800

- Check out Mark Cullen Gardening on YouTube for 'How To' videos to help with your lawn & garden.

- Watch my weekly segment on CTV Canada AM with Jeff. Every Wednesday, between 8:30 and 9:00am. If you miss a segment, watch them online.

- My weekly newspaper column can be found online at The Toronto Star.

- Follow my daily Tweets on Twitter (@MarkCullen4)

- Listen to my weekly gardening tip 'The Green File'. I post a new audio clip every Wednesday.