October is traditionally the beginning of the fall season in the garden. Usually in September, our days are continuing to be warm enough for many summer annuals to continue to bloom. However, in October, the temperatures begin to get cooler and summer annuals begin to wane. Then gardeners must make some decisions as to whether to replant for fall and winter color or leave the pot empty for the winter season. I always plant a few containers for winter color, but not nearly the number of pots that I have planted for the spring and summer.
Depending on the area we live in and the temperature, usually sometime during the month of October, deciduous trees begin to show their autumn colors. For gardeners wanting trees for fall color, this is an excellent time to drive around neighborhoods or visit a local arboretum to see examples as the leaves begin to change. The fall season is also an excellent time to plant trees.
Bulbs
October is the prime month to plant fall bulbs for spring color. This is when the selection is the best and if there are particular bulbs that you are wanting, this is when you will most likely find them. Tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, and crocus are the most commonly planted, but there are also ‘specialty’ bulbs available. These bulbs may not be as well known but they can often perform equally well and can sometimes add a new dimension to the garden. For those with limited space such as a deck or patio, consider planting bulbs in a container and enjoy their blooms in the spring.
Lilly Miller 4-10-10 Bulb & Bloom Food with Bone Meal, 4 lb.
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Deroma Terra Cotta Bulb Pan Pot, 8-In.
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Green Thumb Garden Bulb Planter, Carbon Steel Blade, Ergo Handle
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Container Gardening in the Winter
While the choices are not as numerous as in the spring, we can certainly have containers providing color during the winter months. If you are going to plant spring blooming bulbs in a container, use an all-purpose potting mix and plant winter blooming pansies over the top. Even with no bulbs planted in the container, planting blooming pansies will provide instant color and the flowers should continue all winter except in the coldest regions. Pansies provide a large selection of flower colors and color combinations to choose from. Ornamental kale and cabbage can also provide some instant foliage color with many of them having large leaves that display shades of purple.
Wilco, Professional Potting Soil, 2 cu ft
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G&B, Potting Soil, 8 qt
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Tomatoes
As mentioned in the September Garden Checklist, if tomatoes are showing some color, bring them indoors before a frost. Pick them prior to any frost because if they are still on the vine and a frost occurs, they will spoil. I have also had gardeners tell me that if you pull up a tomato plant from the ground, roots and all, and hang it upside down in an area like a basement, the fruit will ripen. I have never tried this idea because we don’t have a basement, but if readers have used this method, I would like to hear about it.
Down to Earth, Premium All Purpose Fertilizer, 5 lb
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Garlic
This is an ideal time to plant garlic and cloves are available in garden centers. Garlic is very easy to grow and can be a nice addition to the vegetable garden. For a mild flavor, try growing elephant garlic. It is just as easy to grow as regular garlic but has a milder flavor.
Peonies
The foliage on the stems of herbaceous peonies probably looks bad and the stems can be cut back to ground level at this time. Get rid of the old stems and foliage and clean up around the base of the plant removing any old leaves.
Moss on Roofs
If there is moss on your roof, this is a good time to apply a moss control product. Many moss control products are a powder or granular type material and are applied on the roof peak. Applying before a rain is ideal because the rain will wash the product down the roof. Some of these moss control products can cause eye damage and goggles are a necessity when applying. Also, never apply on a windy day. As with all chemicals, read the label and follow the instructions. Usually, one application is sufficient for a season. The moss will not die immediately, but after several weeks, it will begin to disappear.
Lilly Miller, Moss Out for Roofs & Walks, 1,000 sq. ft.
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Moss Out Roof Granule 6 lb.
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Lilly Miller Moss Out for Roofs & Walks, Covers 500 sq. ft.
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October is also the month for Halloween and if you live in the Willamette Valley, you are probably close to a pumpkin farm. It can be a very fun family outing to visit a pumpkin patch and select your own pumpkin. This is a great exercise for kids, to go out in a field and pick their own pumpkin, because many of them probably have no idea how a pumpkin grows.
I usually make a morning walk through my garden and carry a pair of sharp hand pruners because there always seems to be something that needs to be cut. I also have a pruning shear holster which attaches to my belt and is a convenient way to always have my pruning shears with me. With the cooler weather that October brings, it can be ideal for spending some time in the garden.
Happy gardening and Happy Halloween!
MIKE’S GARDEN IS LOCATED IN OREGON’S WILLAMETTE VALLEY AND HIS ADVICE IS CONSISTENT WITH THE MILD CLIMATE THERE.
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