Gardening tasks for October
- Start planting bulbs in containers for holiday color. Use amaryllis, paperwhites, and hyacinths.
- Move non-cold hardy plants inside at the end of the month. Be sure to check for insects and disease. Give all a good blast from the water hose.
- Plant pansies, sweet william, poppies, calendulas, snapdragons, violas, dianthus, pinks, flowering kale and cabbage.
- Sow wildflower seeds for spring color. Make sure seeds are in contact with the soil.
- Buy and plant spring blooming bulbs. Be sure to use bone meal covered with 2” of soil.
- Plant onion, garlic and leeks. Remember to plant 1015 onions on the 15th.
- Test the soil in the vegetable garden and add what is suggested.
- Root prune any trees or shrubs you plan to move in the spring.
- Keep bird feeders clean and filled.
- Take cuttings from herbs for windowsill gardens.
- Plant a cover crop of legumes in unused beds or till in compost. Till legumes under in early spring for a boost of nitrogen.
- Plant grapevines.
- Plant Swiss chard, collards, kohlrabi, mustard greens, rutabaga, spinach, cilantro, dill and strawberries.
- Overseed lawns with rye grass.
- Divide and transplant iris, day lily, phlox and violet.
- Prune damaged or diseased branches from shrubs and trees in late fall or early winter and destroy Do not add to compost.
- Turn and water compost piles.
- Mulch all beds.
- Cut back perennial herbs to encourage well-branched growth next year.
- Dry or freeze cuttings or root them for indoors.
- Plant trees and shrubs.
- Clean up the gardens.
- Pull spent annuals.
- Watch for blackspot on roses.
- Start raking leaves and put on the compost pile.