As autumn sets into full swing across the country, temperatures change along with the shortened daylight hours. For some the gardening season draws to a close and for those in warm-winter areas the cool season garden season begins.
Clean up the garden. Prune back dead wood, rake leaves and compost garden refuse.
As trees slow active growth to go dormant or semi-dormant, this is a good time for major pruning, planting and transplanting.
Clean up fading plants in ponds and switch to winter food for pond fish. Once the water temperature drops under 50 degrees, stop feeding altogether. If your winters experience hard freezes, start winterizing you pond by removing tender plants and cleaning systems.
In warm-winter areas you can still seed winter crops. Finish harvesting warm weather edibles before they are eaten by wildlife, rot or are hit by an early frost. Preserve the late season harvest by canning, storing, drying or freezing.
Dig over soil and add compost so it can break down over the winter months.
In areas that use supplemental irrigation, cut back on watering. Plants need less water in the autumn and winter – even lawns.
Plant native plants and other hardy growers in climates that do not have hard frosts.
Order catalogs and check online to find the latest and most interesting seeds, plants and gardening tools for next season.
Research and start plans on paper for a better garden come springtime. Consider adding fun areas to your landscape for entertainment like a barbecue, hot tub, fire pit, swimming pool or a patio. Or get practical and replace unused lawn space with a vegetable garden, an herb garden or a play area.
There are plenty of things to do in October to keep the gardener busy!
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