Gardening Activities for October

Goldenrod (Solidago)October is a great time in the garden. Now is the time for garden clean-up, getting new plants in the ground and dividing and moving perennials. Here are some tips and activities to help transition the garden into winter.

Trees & Shrubs

This is an excellent time to plant trees & shrubs. Ideally, try to get them into the ground about one month before the first frost. But even if you miss that deadline, they can still be planted, even into the winter months. Keep in mind that plants will be happier in the ground than in a pot!

October is also a good time to move plants. Be sure to saturate the ground well before digging them up.

Apply fresh mulch / Rake up and remove diseased leaves.

Do not allow fallen leaves to accumulate on the top of shrubs.

Do not fertilize or prune trees at this time.

Perennials

Perennials can be planted, divided or transplanted. Do not fertilize with the exception of using organic compost. Spent perennials can be trimmed back but allow those with seed heads to stay for the birds.

After the first frost, dig dahlias and store them for winter.

Annuals

Remove annuals and toss them on the compost pile with the exception of diseased plants. Replace annuals with winter-hardy options such as pansies and ornamental cabbages. Some annual seeds can be sown now. This includes calendula, forget-me-not, Shirley poppies, California poppies, larkspur, sweet pea and sweet allysum.

Bulbs

Begin planting bulbs – daffodil, tulip, hyacinth, allium, snowdrops and paperwhite narcissus.

Roses

Roses can be planted and transplanted at this time. Do not fertilize. Light pruning can be done but wait until early March to do major pruning. Leaves can be removed and discarded. This will prevent fungal diseases from overwintering in the ground.

Vegetables

Clear out vegetable beds and replace them with cool-season cover crops such as rye, crimson clover or hairy vetch.

Planting beds can be ammended with compost, lime and bone meal.

Plant garlic for next year.

Harvest fall vegetables and plant garlic for next year.

Ripen green tomatoes indoors.

Lawns

Grass seed can be planted until the middle of the month. Continue to mow grass as long as it is growing.

Rake leaves from grass.