Frost happens, even when you least expect it. Sometimes it's a relief, to finally be able to put your garden to bed. Sometimes it's a freak occurrence and you'd like to keep your plants going a little longer, or you're panicking because you just put them out and wish you hadn't.

Row covers are a quick and easy way to extend your growing season by a couple of weeks. Row Covers, sometimes referred to as Floating Row Covers, are lightweight spun bonded synthetic fabrics that are laid over plants for protection against pests and temperatures. They are light enough to rest on the plants and allow light, water and even fertilizer to get through. In general, they add about 2-4 degrees F. protection. Depending of the weight of the fabric, you could keep your plants growing even when nighttime temps dip down into the mid-20s.

Photo: © Marie Iannotti

September gardening can mean cool, crisp nights or hot, hazy, Indian summer days. Either way, there's no time to rest. Short season gardens need to be put to bed. Warmer zones are starting a whole new growing season. Even the southern hemisphere is back in the gardening groove. So here are some monthly gardening tips to get you back out in the garden this September.

Photo: © Marie Iannotti

It's time to pull the bird feeders out and make sure they're ready for the winter. The first thing you need to do is make sure they're clean. You don't want your best efforts to make the birds sick. According to About.com's wild bird expert, Melissa Mayntz, dirty feeders can harbor bacteria, mold and other diseases that can cause major problems.

While most of us have many plants with seeds and berries for the birds to munch on in the fall and winter, not to mention plenty of branches for shelter, bird feeders keep a garden alive, when there's little else growing. So get those feeders ready and stock up on seed that will attract some life into your garden, with advice from Melissa.

• Cleaning Bird Feeders
• Bird Feeding Myths
• Saving Money on Bird Seed
• Best Winter Foods for Birds

Photo: © Marie Iannotti.

Whether you are reviewing the overgrown jumble of you garden at its peak or just gearing up for spring, there always seems to be a plant or two that just will not behave. Either something you planted and now regret, something the birds dropped off or a thug, pushing its way in.

Vines are a great example. Too often, when we need a vine, we go for the quickest climbers. However quick climbers can also be aggressive plants, in general. Case in point, the lovely Trumpet Vine. You can never have just one Trumpet Vine; it pokes its head up everywhere. So, first cure: How to get rid of Trumpet Vine.

Then there are the literally invasive plants, like Oriental Bittersweet. Several plants go by the common name of bittersweet and a couple of them deserve it. Although beautiful, Oriental Bittersweet is destructive. Think twice about giving it free rein in your garden. How to get rid of Bittersweet.

And finally, the most annoying vines of all, poison ivy and oak. These weeds seem to be getting hardier and smarter about spreading. They are a great reason for wearing gloves in the garden. How to get rid of Poison Ivy and Poison Oak.

I know this is only the tip of the iceberg. What do you regret planting? And I also know there are times and places where fast growing vines are just the ticket and I would be curious to hear How you use vines, in your garden.

Photo: © Marie Iannotti