October Gardening Tips
October weather grows cooler, encouraging root growth that aids in establishment of new plantings. Trees such as dogwoods and burning bushes change into their flaming autumn colors and bright berries glow on hawthorns, yaupon and other hollies, pyracantha, and crab apples. Flowers continue to be abundant on chrysanthemums, sweet autumn clematis, and pansies. Early frost is possible toward the end of the month.
Below are a few gardening tips to get you through the cooler days of fall…
Indoor Gardening
Start moving houseplants indoors before night temperatures fall below 55 degrees. Exceptions include those plants requiring cool nights to set buds such as Christmas cactus and some orchids. Azaleas and camellias can also stay out.
Check for insects and diseases before placing these plants near other houseplants.
Woody Plants
Plant and transplant evergreen trees and shrubs, which need extra time to become established before winter arrives.
Root-prune to ready plants for spring transplanting (especially broad-leaved evergreens).
Root-prune wisteria reluctant to bloom.
Continue to water newly planted trees and shrubs.
Lawns
Complete major fall lawn work. Continue to follow your “Green Grass” report recommendations.
Seed or sod new cool-season lawns. Keep grass seed damp; sprinkle every day if necessary. Mow when grass is 3” high.
Flowers
Plant early-blooming spring bulbs including anemone, crocus, daffodil, snowdrops, starflower, and later-blooming snowflakes. If you can’t plant immediately, store in a cool, dry place away from rodents.
Plant paperwhite narcissus in pots for Thanksgiving blooming.
Dig tender bulbs, such as cannas, caladiums, tuberous begonia and gladiolus before frost. Allow to air dry, and store in dry peat moss or vermiculite.
Stop fertilizing roses, allowing them to rest for 6 weeks before the first frost. Continue organic rose-care program.
Kitchen Garden
Plant cool-season salad greens such as arugula, corn salad, lettuce, radishes, spinach, and parsley in a cold frame or protected garden site.
Protect tender plants from early frost. Cover with blankets, newspapers, row covers, or burlap, which as better than plastic.
Harvest remaining crops such as tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, melons, basil, dill, lemon verbena, and sweet potatoes before frost.
Pot herbs, such as chives, oregano, rosemary, and sweet marjoram for indoor use. Sow parsley in a pot.
Around the Yard
Begin fall cleanup. Remove spent annuals and vegetables, and turn over soil. Discard, don’t compost, any that are diseased or insect-infested to sanitize the garden.
Prepare beds for fall and spring planting. Edge and weed existing beds, refresh mulch.
Watch out for stinging yellow jackets, which resemble shiny honeybees but get particularly aggressive this time of year.