DOUG’S GARDENING BLOG – October Gardening Chores

FALL IS FOR PLANTING!!

Fall is in the air with shorter days and cooler temperatures.

HERE ARE SOME KEY GARDENING CHORES TO BE WORKING ON THIS MONTH

  1. Keep in mind that our average first frost is around October 20.
  2. Right now our soil temperature is 62 degrees. Cooler days, timely rains and warm soils make fall the perfect planting season.
  3. Everyone needs to be getting ready to move all tropical houseplants inside for the winter.
  4. Recently we have gotten some needed rainfall.  We need to keep our evergreen shrubs and trees watered as they go into colder temperatures.
  5. LAWN CARE –  October represents the “O” in the S.O.D. lawn care program.  You want to apply for your second lawn feeding.  Keep in mind that the last application of lawn fertilizer should be done around the first of December.
  6. Continue to mow your lawn so your lawn grasses will not grow so high that they mat down under winter snow. Matted grass is an ideal place for lawn diseases to start.
  7. Now is the time to divide crowded perennial. Move and divide crowded perennials.  Cut down stems and foliage of herbaceous perennials when the leaves begin to brown.
  8. Pine needles are beginning to fall. Pine needles are nature’s mulch and they are free.  All it takes is a little bit of work and you have wonderful mulch to use.  Pine needles are light and airy and do a great job in insulating the soil and making the ideal mulch for perennials, small fruits, and acid-loving shrubs and trees.
  9. As tree leaves begin to fall, try to keep lawns free of thick, smothering layers of leaves.
  10. October is a great month to re-create your container gardens and turn them into beautiful winter colors.
  11. October is a great month to be planting bulbs such as daffodils, crocus, hyacinths, muscari, and others. Buy your tulip bulbs now while the selection is good but hold off on planting tulip bulbs until mid-November when our soil is cooler.

AS YOU CAN SEE THERE ARE A LOT OF GARDENING CHORES TO BE DONE THIS MONTH.  ENJOY THE SENSE OF AUTUMN IN THE AIR.  ENJOY NATURES’ BEAUTY!!!!

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