October in the Garden
Checklist
- Water basins should be removed from around trees and shrubs to avoid excessive pooling of water as the rain begins.
- Feed turf with slow release (winterfeed) fertilizer.
- Top dress established beds with organic material such as your own compost, (composted) manure, or earthworm castings.
- Continue to hunt for slugs and snails.
- Begin to rake up plant debris and leaves; avoid heavy pruning of most perennials until late winter.
- Fall clean up of spent vegetable plants begins this month and will augment your compost pile.
- Lawns can be sodded or re-seeded. Add organic material to the topsoil.
Planting Guide
Vegetables & Herbs
- Transplant seedlings or purchased plants of radish, kale, lettuce, spinach, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, peas, fava beans, broccoli, cauliflower, beets and carrots.
- Plant leeks, peas and garlic. Plant a salad pot of red leaf, butter, and romaine lettuces; curly endive; and arugula.
- Harvest carrots, and end of summer season vegetables.
- Enjoy: carrots, lettuce, very last of summer crop
Bulbs and Flowers
- Plant bulbs for spring bloom, such as daffodils, freesias, crocus, scilla, lirope, muscari, allium, and Dutch iris.
- Plant pansies and violas. Snapdragons can be planted for both fall and spring color.
Trees and Shrubs
- Start planting your wish list of trees and shrubs.
