OCTOBER GARDENING TIPS 

Fall is a great time to plant trees, shrubs, bulbs, perennials, grass seed and sod.  Plants that are planted in the fall enjoy cooler temperatures and ideal growing conditions that allow roots ample time to grow into the surrounding soil.

Plants and trees that provide color in the month of October include mums, burning bush, camellia, ornamental cabbage and kale, pansies, viburnum, crape myrtles, October Glory maple, and pyracantha.

Perennials with interest include anemone, mums, asters and ornamental grasses.

Spring blooming fall bulbs are in stock and now is the time to plant them.

Do not prune azaleas, rhododendrons and other spring flowering shrubs because they have already set their buds for next year’s blooms.  If you feel these shrubs need to be pruned however, you can prune them but you will sacrifice next spring flowers

Now is the time to feed your plants with a good quality slow release plant food.  We recommend Espoma organics, such as Holly Tone, or Garden Tone.

Now is the time to transplant peonies or divide them.

October is a great time to lime, seed and fertilize your lawn.  You can seed a new lawn in early October or reseed (overseed) an established lawn this month to make it thicker and healthier.  If you need to, you can lime, fertilize and seed your lawn all in the same day.  Otherwise, seed and fertilize the same day and then lime later in the fall.  It’s also a great time to aerate and/or dethatch the lawn.  If you decide to do one or both of these, they should be done prior to seeding.

Remove all old vines of beans, squash, etc. to the compost pile now.

Start decorating for Halloween!  Eclectic Nature is “Halloween Central” carrying all your decorating needs!

From The Old Farmer’s Almanac: Garden Guide

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