lindamckendry
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October is probably the busiest times in the garden. Here are a few to-do’s to get things started.
Plant/Purchase
- Plant all types of permanent landscape plants other than barefoot plants, tropical and native plants
- Continue to shop for spring- blooming bulbs and plant the ones that can be put down now, including South African bulbs, oxalis, and Tazetta types of Narcissus
- Plant cool-season flowers for winter and spring bloom
- Purchase wildflower seeds and spread immediately following the first autumn fain.
- Plant cool-season lawns
- Plant cool-season vegetables and year-round vegetables, including carrots and some perennial vegetables
Trim/Prune/Mow/Divide
- Dig up, divide, and replant perennials, or mulch them
Fertilize
- We stop feeding roses by the end of October to give them rest and start preparing for pruning.
Water
- Water all garden plants according to the individual needs, your soil, your climate zone, and the weather (reducing water if rains start early)
- Water deciduous fruits trees more sparingly in fall
- Water roses with up to 1 1/2 inches of water twice a week, unless rains do the job for you
- Continue to water lawns when rains aren’t adequate
Control Pest/Diseases/Weeds
- Protect pansies, petunias, and lettuce from rabbits
- Treat cool-season lawns with fungicide if required
- Create a gopher-proof lawn by burying chicken wire under it prior to planting
- Continue to control diseases on roses
Also this month
- Finish pulling out faded annual flowers and cleaning pots and beds for fall planting
- Thoroughly clean up the vegetable garden; pull up the last of the summer crops and compost the remains
- Continue fall maintenance of perennials
