TIPS FOR BULBS IN OCTOBER:

Lift and store Begonia, Dahlia and Gladiolus. 

Mark dormant bulbs so they won't be destroyed when ground is prepared for spring planting. 

Be ready when the shipments of bulbs such as Crocus, Daffodils, Irises, Day lilies, Freesias, Hyacinth and Tulips arrive at nurseries; then plant immediately. 

Early shopping guarantees best selections. 

Water well to encourage root development and cover with plenty of mulch. 



TIPS FOR FLOWERS:

October is the best month to transplant Perennials. Enrich beds with organic soil amendment. 

Keep Marigolds blooming until the frost arrives. Feed, water and pick faded blooms. Shelter frost-tender plants or over winter cuttings. 

Lift and divide plants that have finished blooming. Divide and re plant... Daisies, Callas, and Day lilies every few years for best bloom. 

Remove suckers from Roses and Lilac. Spray or dust Roses to discourage mildew. 



TIPS FOR VEGETABLES:

Store carrots in ground if they are in well drained soil. 

By mid-October, or if frost is predicted, pick all tomatoes, whether they are ripe or not. Refrigerate or freeze ripe tomatoes. 

Wrap green tomatoes or hang the entire plants (with unpicked fruit) upside down. Alternatively these can be stored in a brown paper bag in a cool dark area. 

In late October cut back asparagus stalk to the ground. Mark the location. Mulch 3 to 4 inches. 

Prepare vegetable beds for spring and remove all debris. 




GENERAL YARD & GARDEN CARE:

Clean up the planting areas as you harvest fruit, flowers, vegetables. Rake up fallen leaves and fruit. Compost all disease- free organic refuse. Destroy all disease infected refuse. 

Protect container plants for winter. Mulch tender plants that can't be moved. 

Continue watering lawns, trees, shrubs, vines and all new plantings until the rains come. Don't forget to water plants in sheltered areas. Well-watered plants survive freezing temperatures better than dry ones. 

Prune trees and shrubs so that the air can flow through them freely in winter. 

Cover open compost heaps with plastic when there are signs of heavy rains. 

Set out a dish of beer for your slugs now. Remove dead slugs daily. 




TIPS FOR FRUIT & BERRIES:

Spray your trees for peach leaf curl if they were victims this year. 

Apply a dormant spray to reduce over wintering pests and fungus diseases when the leaves fall from fruit trees. 

Mulch fruit and berries well to preserve moisture in the soil. They need alot of water. They are the only food that contain approximately 80% water. 

Set out strawberries during fall rains for fruit next June. If planted in spring, plants won't bear well until the following year. 



TIPS FOR LAWNS:

Cut back ground covers that have spread out of bounds. Prune vines and summer-blooming heather. 

Plant flat and slightly sloped areas with ground cover so roots will get a head start before winter. Do not plant steep slopes or the rains will wash plants away. 

Sow seeds for new lawns. If there is an early frost be sure to keep the ground moist so the seedlings will continue to develop roots until the ground freezes. 

Grass grows best this time of year in the cooler, wetter conditions. 


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