Usually October sweeps in with a cool breeze—and we’ve had a few cool breezes! Phew! But mostly we’ve had big winds and warm temps! We still haven’t had a frost here, much less a killing freeze—so the growing season hasn’t ended yet! But it’s time to begin preparing for the chilly months ahead.
Whether you're a seasoned gardener or a novice green thumb, this month is crucial for setting up your garden for success next year. Here’s a checklist of essential tasks to ensure your garden thrives through winter and is ready for a flourishing new season.
- Harvest Remaining Produce: Pick any remaining vegetables or fruits before the first frost hits. This protects your hard-earned produce and ensures you can enjoy the last of your harvest.
-
Plant Garlic: October is the perfect time to plant garlic bulbs in the northern U.S. for harvest next summer. Choose a sunny spot with well-drained soil.
- Mulch Flower Beds: Add a layer of mulch to your flower beds to help insulate the soil and protect the roots of perennials from freezing temperatures.
- Cut Back Perennials: Trim back perennials to about 2-3 inches above ground to clean up the garden and prepare plants for rejuvenation in the spring.
- Shop and Plant Perennials: Fall is the PERFECT time to plant perennials like peonies, along with shrubs and trees. The cooler weather and (usually) increased rainfall is perfect for establishing these deeper rooted plants. In spring and summer heat and drought can stunt new plantings. Be sure to water them in well. Then apply a thick layer of mulch at their base to protect from temperature extremes.
- Divide Perennials: Many perennials benefit from being divided every few years. This is the ideal time to dig up and separate overgrown plants, giving them more room to flourish.
- Wrap Young Trees: Protect young trees from harsh winter winds and sunscald by wrapping them with tree guards or burlap.
- Plant Spring Bulbs: Now is the time to plant spring-blooming bulbs like tulips, daffodils, and crocuses. They need the winter chill to bloom beautifully in spring.
- Protect Roses: Mound soil around the bases of rose bushes and cover them with mulch or straw to protect them from the cold.
- Collect and Save Seeds: Gather seeds from your favorite plants to store and plant next year, ensuring you can enjoy your favorite varieties again.
- Clean and Store Tools: Clean and store your garden tools properly to keep them in good condition for next season. Note: We wired brush any dirt from our tools after each use. (A 'Type A' mindset—but so nice to have tools that are clean and ready to go!)
- Test your soils: Fall is the perfect time to take and submit a soil test. Check with your local County Extension Service. Be sure to follow the instructions on the test EXACTLY and mail it in. You’ll receive an analysis and recommendations to improve your soil. Then you can amend your soil in the fall for those early planted crops—the ones that need to be planted as soon as the soil can be worked in the spring. And plan ahead for any amendments you want to make in the spring. HEALTHY SOIL means HEALTHY PLANTS. Improving the health of your soil will reduce disease and pest issues (pests attack stressed plants) and increase the overall productivity.
- Add Compost: Spread a layer of compost over garden beds to enrich the soil and prepare it for spring planting.
- Remove Invasive Weeds: Clear out any invasive weeds going to seed—the ones that could spread and take over your garden beds come spring. An ounce of prevention… will save you thousands of weeds in the future!!
-
Gathering leaves for leaf mulch: Rake leaves or blow leaves into piles-- and stock pile them for leaf mulches! Leaf compost is a wonderful soil amendment, full of nutrients and beneficial bacteria. And it’s free! Let the pile decompose where it is. OR add leaves to your compost pile and your vermicompost bin. Leaf mold is so beneficial—trust me! You need a leaf pile!
- Set Up Cold Frames: Extend your growing season by setting up cold frames to protect hardy vegetables like kale, lettuce, arugula, lettuce and spinach.
-
Set Up Your Indoor Vermicompost Bin: Compost all winter long by setting up your own indoor worm bin. You’ll be ready for spring planting with your very own DIY vermicompost for starting those seedlings!
- Take Notes and Evaluate: Take notes on what you learned this year. Your future self will thank you! What worked? What did I love? What didn’t work? What no longer serves me? What do I actually want to grow? Keep it simple and honest! Because the truth is in the winter we ALL want to grow ALL THE THINGS… plant hoarders unite! But your notes will remind you of what you actually need to grow. Stick to the plan ‘cuz you can’t grow it all!
- Don’t Forget the Birds: Set up bird feeders and help local birds survive and thrive through the winter months.
- Gather the Flowers: As you cut back your flowers, hang some to dry. So beautiful! Use them to grace your winter nest and remind you of summer days. Give yourself the gift of your very own “locally grown” flowers all winter long!
With these tasks taken care of, you and your garden will be well-prepared to weather the winter months and emerge more vibrant than ever next spring. Happy gardening!
Your garden coach,
Theresa