Learn which 14 vegetables to plant in October, plus the best varieties, planting tips, and recipes for your harvest.
October is a mixed bag of weather with darker evenings, so it’s very easy to just shut the door on your garden now – but wait! There’s still lots you can do.
Learn which 14 vegetables to plant in October, plus the best varieties, planting tips, and recipes for your harvest.
Get this free printable garden maintenance checklist pdf to stay on top of your garden tasks. It'll help you figure out what landscape and yard maintenance you need to do right now!
How to plan for a productive fall garden - Everything you need to know from which plants are frost tolerant to perfecting your timing!
While gardeners in Zones 9-10 are still experiencing warm temperatures during the day, overnights and mornings have a cooler feel that signals fall is present. Gather up your pumpkin spice lattes and apple cider confections and decorate with your freshly harvested pumpkins and gourds this month! Gardening in October can be a blast, filled with fun harvests and even some winter planting. There are lots of things to do in the garden throughout the fall months. Check out our October Garden Checklist for great tips for what you should be doing and planning for when it comes to your fall garden. October Garden Planning Put your mind to work during your cooler mornings or evenings. There is plenty of planning and reflecting to do when you're gardening in October that will keep you on course for continued success in the garden throughout the fall months and through the winter season. October is loaded with harvestable veggies in Zones 9-10. Prepare for the abundance of produce by having canning supplies organized, recipes gathered, meal-planning in progress, or plan to share your yield with friends and neighbors. If you harvested your own seeds from the garden, be sure that they are dried out and labeled and that you have good storage for them. Pursue some ideas for organizing and storing your seeds so you are ready for planting season next year. Record the seeds you collected in your garden journal in order to sketch out your garden plans for next year. This helps you know what you have and identify what you may need to acquire. Research some recipes for the green tomatoes, pumpkins, and zucchini that you've been harvesting. If you've been planting new perennials, jot them down in your garden journal and add them to your landscape sketches, so you know what you are working with when you start planning next year's gardens. Reflect on the summer growing season and make a note of your highlights and low points. What exceeded your expectations in the garden? What was underwhelming? Were there weather obstacles? When you're gardening in October, be sure to make a note of any diseased or pest-infested plants and where they were planted so that you don't repeat the same cycle next year. Watch how the sunlight hits your yard and garden at this time of year. As time passes, trees grow more prominent and fuller and can shade areas of the yard that they didn't before. Did this impact the amount of sunlight that your gardens received? Note if some pruning may be necessary before growing season next year. Note if any trees look diseased and call a tree expert to assess if a tree needs to be removed. It's never too early to note anything that you still need concerning seed starting supplies. Ensure that you have plenty of seed starting mix, grow trays, grow lights, and warming mats. As you assess your materials, organize your seed packets to know what you have and what you might like to add to your supply. Assess your tools and note any repairs in your garden journal that may be needed in the off-season. Are there tools that you wish that you had? There may be time to find some clearance items at your garden center, or you can write them down on your garden journal shopping list. Ensure that the area is organized and prepped for food storage if you have a root cellar or plan to save your root vegetables, winter squash, and pumpkins. If you picked up any sellar end-of-season buys from the clearance rack, it's time to organize and store them properly. As you continue gardening in October, jot down anything in the garden that needs bolstering, rebuilding, construction, or repair. Did something catch your eye on a website, garden magazine, or a neighbor's yard? If you'd like to add something to the garden like a pumpkin vine arch, some teepees, or a pergola, you can jot those ideas down too. Add a list of what supplies you might need to complete these projects. October Garden Prep & Maintenance Keep gardens in stellar shape by keeping up with some essential garden tasks. While many jobs on the October Garden Checklist Zones 9-10 may seem redundant from month to month, they are paramount to the garden's success. Keeping up with tasks like mulching, watering, weeding, and pruning will keep your garden looking great and keep your plants happy and productive. Garden Cleanup and Prep Keep gardens tidy in order to keep a handle on pests and diseases. Try not to procrastinate on this one. Keeping your gardens free of debris and diseased plants will keep your gardens healthier for years to come. Have perennial plants far outgrown their space in the garden? Take time to divide them and settle them into their new locations before a hard freeze sets in. Gather any fallen leaves and healthy garden debris and add them to your compost pile. Pull up and discard any diseased or mottled plant foliage entirely and away from your gardens or compost pile. Add grass clippings, kitchen scraps, and fallen leaves to your compost heap and turn the pile one last time for the year. Clean up dropped fruit from around fruit trees. Remove spent vines from climbing structures and fences. Clean up the lawn of any stray branches or sticks. They will make great kindling for a brisk evening's fire pit. While it's best to stop pruning trees and shrubs at this point in the year, you can still clean up dead limbs or hanging, broken branches. Now that berry bushes have finished producing, cut back the canes halfway. Prune away any dead and nonproductive canes. Mulch the berry patch well to insulate the plants for the upcoming winter. Cut back any newly formed roses, remove and discard any part of the plant which looks diseased or plagued by pests. Prune dead or diseased vines from grapevines. Add a layer of compost to gardens to amend the soil and boost its nutrient levels for all of its hard work. You can also plant a cover crop of rye this month. You can leave perennials alone and allow them to die back completely. This is best for the plant, and leaving unharvested seedpods intact also feeds the migrating birds and other wildlife who are stocking up for winter. Additionally, leave a few sunflower heads intact. Tidy up your fall planters by deadheading spent flowers. Fertilize your fall planters to keep them growing strong. Thin out any root vegetable seedlings that were sown in the garden last month. Weeding the Fall Garden Organic weed control continues to be a priority this month. Pull weeds early before they go to seed or after rainfall and dispose of them, so they don't have an opportunity to go to seed and proliferate. Eliminating weeds regularly works well to lessen the number of weeds that compete with your plants in subsequent years. Fall Garden Mulching Mimic the natural forest floor by covering bare spots in your garden beds with mulch. This practice deters weeds from developing there, enriches the soil as the mulch breaks down, and provides a habitat for beneficial insects. Add a generous layer of mulch or plant a cover crop to vacant garden beds. Mulch newer perennial plantings and bulbs to insulate root systems during the upcoming winter months. Mulch rose bushes, citrus groves, and grapevines for extra winter protection. Autumn Watering Tips Water in recently planted perennials deeply. Not only do the roots need the water to establish themselves before a harsh winter, but water also acts as an insulator. Continue to water your vegetable and flower gardens, preferably from below, using a garden drip irrigation water system to keep foliage dry. Water your fall container plants regularly. Indoor Planting Sow cool-season vegetables for a late fall planting and winter harvest. Consider planting: Broccoli Cabbage Cauliflower Kale Lettuce Peas Swiss Chard Outdoor Planting in the October Garden It's time to plant your final round of tomatoes, eggplants, and peppers. You can also plant garlic and shallots at this time. Continue to plant new perennials, trees, and shrubs. Plant early in the day and water in well, as the sun can still be intense during the afternoons. Plant your spring bulbs if you have not done so already. They will provide a great deal of joy and excitement when they emerge from the earth after a long, cold winter. You can also plant native plants this month. Consider sowing some wildflower seeds and see what comes up. Fall Garden Harvesting There is a lot of room on the October Garden Checklist Zones 9-10 for harvesting. Gardeners in Zones 9-10 can harvest and enjoy: Squash Pumpkins Gourds Tomatoes Peppers Radishes Broccoli Beans Bok Choy Eggplant Corn Kale Lettuce Sweet Potatoes Root Vegetables If you have any herbs still producing in the garden, harvest the whole plant and hang them upside down in a cool, dry place to dry them or freeze them. You can start clearing out your summer garden if you haven't done so already. This will make space for your fall and winter gardens. Note that if you still have green or partially ripe tomatoes clinging to the vine as you are clearing garden plots, you can remove them all right now and use them in green tomato recipes. Share The Garden Love
What to plant in your Fall vegetable garden in October if you are in the Northern Hemisphere and what to plant in your vegetable garden in April if you are
Autumn is here and if you are worried about taking care of your yard, then read on to know What to Do in the Garden in October!
October is an ideal month to plant cool-season vegetables, herbs and annuals in much of Southern California. Regardless of what is on your fall planting list, here are 10 tasks for your gardening to-do list.
From the icy terrains of Zone 1 to the balmy climes of Zone 10, This comprehensive guide is your roadmap to October gardening success.
Get inspired by these beautiful fall gardens and learn how to add that autumn glow in your own garden!
Whether you planted a fall garden or are putting your garden to bed for the season, here's what to do in October. Here are some ideas for managing your garden this month.
One way to maximize your space is by putting in a fall garden. I’m all about growing as much food in as small of a space as possible. Most homesteaders don’t have huge properties to
Follow along with this helpful garden job list to know what to get done month by month through each season. Includes tasks, tips, and tutorials for cold climate gardeners in the United States and Canada (hardiness zones 4 to 8).
Learn which 14 vegetables to plant in October, plus the best varieties, planting tips, and recipes for your harvest.
Come discover the 18 best fall flowers to grow in your garden for autumn blooms. Some may grow through winter in mild climates too!
Looking for October gardening tips? Wherever you garden, there's plenty to do this month. Here's a list of must-do garden chores for October...
Find out which plants are still in full flower in October! Here is a list of some of the plants flowering in our garden and surprisingly...
October’s Loving the Ordinary List is full of things to do. Ideas for every day of the month to enjoy loving every day that autumn offers.
Timely tips for the month of October to help you succeed with your lawn & garden in Atlanta and Charlotte. Stop by your local Pike Nurseries for all your garden needs.
Not sure what to plant in October? Cool season veggies, flower bulbs, and cover crops can all be part of your October garden chores!
From the icy terrains of Zone 1 to the balmy climes of Zone 10, This comprehensive guide is your roadmap to October gardening success.
Learn which 14 vegetables to plant in October, plus the best varieties, planting tips, and recipes for your harvest.
Fall is finally upon us, Utah gardeners! We have some October gardening tips for you to add to your to-do list.
Even as the weather cools you can still plant in your garden! Find out what to plant in October for a delicious spring harvest next year!
Help for your garden from Plews News topical gardening tips, landscaping & design ideas, links to relevant Plews Potting Shed blogs & more
October brings brisk mornings and chilly overnight temperatures across zones 1-3. In some areas, the cold has already set in. Reward yourself for making the most of your summer gardens in that small growing window that you have. It’s time to stock up on some s’more and hot cocoa ingredients and kick your feet up around the fire pit. But first, there are some essential October gardening tasks that should be tackled this month in the area of planning and maintenance that will keep your garden at its best. Check out our October Garden Checklist Zones 1-3 for a robust guide on what you should be doing in the garden this month. Planning for Your Fall Garden As you cozy up with some hot apple cider and apple pie from an apple harvest this month, there is plenty of planning and reflecting that you can do during October gardening. If you harvested your own seeds from the garden, be sure that they are dried out and labeled and that you have good storage for them. Peruse some ideas for how to organize and store your seeds, so you are ready for planting season next year. Record the seeds that you collected in your garden journal so that you can sketch out your garden plans for next year. This helps you know what you have and identify what you may need to acquire. Reflect on the summer growing season and make a note of your highlights and low points. What exceeded your expectations in the garden, and what was underwhelming? Were there weather obstacles? When did your first frost hit? Make a note of any diseased or pest-infested plants and where they were planted so that you don’t repeat the same cycle next year. Consider the lighting in your yard. As time goes on, trees get larger and fuller and can shade areas of the yard that they didn’t before. Did this impact the amount of sunlight that your gardens received? Note if some pruning may be necessary before growing season next year. It’s never to early to make note of anything that you still need with regard to seed starting supplies. Ensure that you have plenty of seed starting mix, grow trays, grow lights, and warming mats. As you assess your materials, organize your seed packets so that you are aware of what you have and what you might like to add to your supply. Assess your tools and note any repairs in your garden journal that may be needed in the off-season. Are there tools that you wish that you had? There may be time to find some clearance items at your garden center, or you can write them down on your garden journal shopping list. Your seed starting materials are also essential garden tools of the trade. Since indoor seed starting is a key to a successful growing season in Zones 1-3, it’s best to make sure you have everything you need to give seeds their best start. If you picked up any end-of-season good buys, it’s time to organize and store them. Prepping & Maintaining during October Keep gardens in great shape by keeping up with some October gardening tasks. While many jobs on the to-do list seem to be ongoing each month, in October, we will be adding some tool maintenance and storage as we close out the garden season for Zones 1-3. October Gardening: Cleanup Keep gardens tidy before the snow covers them over. Try not to procrastinate on this one. Keeping your gardens free of debris and diseased plants will keep your gardens healthier for years to come. Compost fallen leaves and healthy garden debris. Pull up and discard any diseased or spotty plants and leaves entirely and away from your gardens or compost pile. Clear garden beds of plant debris and clean up dropped fruit from around fruit trees. Remove spent vines from climbing structures and fences. Clean up the lawn of any stray branches or sticks. They will make great kindling for a brisk evening’s fire pit. As neighbors are out raking their leaves, ask if you can take them off of your hands. Leaves are great for adding brown matter to compost piles, and they also make a fine organic mulch for garden beds. While it’s best to stop pruning trees and shrubs at this point in the year, you can still clean up dead limbs or hanging, broken branches. Continue to add kitchen scraps and brown matter to your compost pile. Cut back any newly formed roses, remove and discard any part of the plant which looks diseased or plagued by pests. Weeding the Fall Garden Organic weed control continues to be a priority this month. Pull weeds early or after rainfall and dispose of them, so they don’t have an opportunity to go to seed and proliferate. Eliminating weeds regularly works well over time to lessen the number of weeds that compete with your plants in subsequent years. Mulching for Fall Mimic nature by covering bare spots in your garden beds with mulch during October gardening. This practice deters weeds from developing there, enriches the soil as the mulch breaks down, and provides a habitat for beneficial insects. Add a generous layer of mulch or a vegetable garden cover crop to vacant beds. Mulch newer perennial plantings and bulbs to insulate root systems during the approaching winter months. What to Water in October Water in recently planted perennials deeply. Not only do the roots need the water to establish themselves before a harsh winter, but water also acts as an insulator. Drain your irrigation system and turn off the water supply this month to prevent damage from freezing lines. Take Care of your Garden Tools this Fall As you wrap up the growing season, be mindful of your tools. October is an ideal time to take stock of all your garden tools and find homes for them to be stored over the winter, so they will all be tuned up and in one place when you need them. You’ll be glad that you did once planting season arrives. Now is also an ideal time to start planning for the holidays and picking up some garden tools for new gardeners that may be on clearance. Check your tools for signs of disrepair, tune-up and thoroughly clean and sanitize, sharpen blades, and oil up moving parts. These steps will give you confidence for a solid start to the garden season. It is also essential to keep your garden free from diseases that may have plagued your garden last season. Start by using steel wool or a metal grill brush to clean any debris off your garden tools. Wipe surfaces with a damp rag. Use coarse sandpaper to scuff away any signs of rust on metal surfaces. Dab vegetable oil onto a rag and wipe metal surfaces. Use a piece of sandpaper to slough away any rough or splintering spots on wooden handles. Wipe wooden handles down with a rag wet with linseed oil. Indoor Planting in Zones 1-3 October gardening can still be packed with new life. If you have a sunny window or grow lights, you can plant some planters of herbs or veggies indoors. Fall Garden Harvesting If you were able to have winter protection in your garden or if you live in Zone 3, you may be able to harvest some of your cool-season crops, depending on the weather conditions. It is possible to harvest potatoes and pick corn as well as pick cucumbers, apples, strawberries, and cool-season veggies. Also, it’s a great time to harvest ay root vegetables. It’s essential to get your final harvest in before a freeze decimates them. Check forecasts regularly to monitor the temperatures in your area. Share The Garden Love
Looking for October gardening tips? Wherever you garden, there's plenty to do this month. Here's a list of must-do garden chores for October...
It’s been a wet and dull summer for the most part and the effect is obvious in the garden. It’s still a busy month, so here’s what you could do in September.
Even as the weather cools you can still plant in your garden! Find out what to plant in October for a delicious spring harvest next year!
Check out some October Gardening & Landscaping Tips to help you with planting and care for the month: Fall is a great time to plant. Actually, it’s almost like a second spring. In fall, the warm soil and cool temperatures promote great rooting and establishment of plants. Now is the time to plant shrubs, trees and evergreens to give them plenty of time to establish their roots before the upcoming winter.
Plant a fall garden past the late summer and the first frost to use your yard year-round and have a harvest in the early spring. It’s possible to have a vegetable garden full of kohlrabi, Swiss chard, and Brussels sprouts when you use mulch with cold-season plants. #vegetables #planting #october
Stop by Gingham Gardens for the most amazing Fall Flower Garden Inspiration and some adorable Outdoor Fall Decor Ideas - includes fall gardens in 3 zones.
Even as the weather cools you can still plant in your garden! Find out what to plant in October for a delicious spring harvest next year!
From the icy terrains of Zone 1 to the balmy climes of Zone 10, This comprehensive guide is your roadmap to October gardening success.
Even as the weather cools you can still plant in your garden! Find out what to plant in October for a delicious spring harvest next year!
Even as the weather cools you can still plant in your garden! Find out what to plant in October for a delicious spring harvest next year!
Fall is here. Summer has blown by and deposited us in a pile of swirling fall leaves. Not that I’m complaining over here, because I love sweater weather. The second I saw I leaf fall in my backyard, I started dragging out my scarves, boots, and Halloween decorations. The chilly month of October is a relief from the sweltering summer months, especially for a gardener who is used to sweating it out under the hot sun.
Check out my comprehensive list on all of the veggies, herbs, and plants you can either start from seed or transplant during the month of October for South USA garden zones 8-11. October's cooler temperatures mark the beginning of planting things like broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, onions, garlic, potatoes, strawberries, and greens like lettuce. I list out things that can be grown in the month of October, along with tips/tricks specific to each crop. If you want to follow along with what I am growing and doing in my garden, then review this October monthly garden guide. Zone 8 is 2 weeks ahead of me, while zone 10 is 2 weeks behind me.
It’s October, and I don’t care where you live, it’s fall. In my area of the country we might still be experiencing 80+ degrees, but hey, the mornings are cooler, right? And those cooler mornings make gardening even more enjoyable — which is perfect timing, as October is a huge garden month. So grab your Pumpkin Spice latte and go get some gardening done! Plan Now’s the time to take a final inventory of this year's garden. Did you plant too much of something? Was a new variety a winner for you? What bombed? Why did it bomb? What veggie did your family absolutely love? Make notes in your garden journal and refer to them next year. Prepare & Maintain Collect leaves for composting and mulching — ask your neighbors for theirs! Take a garden inventory and notice where your soil is bare; you’ll want to cover that up with mulch to avoid winter weeds from germinating. If you sowed seeds of carrots, beets, greens, or lettuce last month, go ahead and thin them out now. Gardeners in cooler climates can mulch strawberries and asparagus. Sow & Plant Indoors Zones 7-10 can sow cool weather veggie seeds for transplanting Zone 11 if you missed it last month don't worry! You can still start seeds for strawberry plants that can be transplanted next month. Sow & Plant Outdoors Zones 4-6 can plant garlic and shallots, as well as spinach and parsnips in a cold frame. Zones 7-10 can plant garlic, leeks, onions, and shallots. They can also sow seeds of beets, carrots, mustard, turnips, spinach, lettuce, Chinese cabbage, radishes, and bok choy. Set out strawberry plants. Plant trees and shrubs. Zones 9-10 can make a final planting of tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant. Zone 11 can begin sowing seeds for beans, bell peppers, sweet peppers, and eggplant. They can also transplant any strawberry seedlings that were started last month. Harvest Zones 4-7 can harvest and enjoy spinach, lettuce, parsnips, kale, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and carrots. These gardeners can also begin digging sweet potatoes (time it as the leaves start to fall) and harvest winter squash. Zones 7-10 can continue to harvest squash, late-season tomatoes, peppers, radishes, broccoli, beans, bok choy, eggplant, kale, and lettuce. Share The Garden Love
A list of simple October garden chores for food gardens, flower gardens, and basic lawn and yard care. Pick and choose what works for you.
Bring on next year's flowers! This list of seeds to plant in the fall covers flowers that grow in both warm and cold season climates.
Get great results in your fall garden and be ready for spring. Learn the top nine things you need to do in your garden this fall. Fall means that the weather is cooling down. It’s time for pumpkins and fall festivals and apple cider! But it’s not time to give up on your garden! There...
Get inspired by these beautiful fall gardens and learn how to add that autumn glow in your own garden!
Learn which 14 vegetables to plant in October, plus the best varieties, planting tips, and recipes for your harvest.
While gardeners in Zones 9-10 are still experiencing warm temperatures during the day, overnights and mornings have a cooler feel that signals fall is present. Gather up your pumpkin spice lattes and apple cider confections and decorate with your freshly harvested pumpkins and gourds this month! Gardening in October can be a blast, filled with fun harvests and even some winter planting. There are lots of things to do in the garden throughout the fall months. Check out our October Garden Checklist for great tips for what you should be doing and planning for when it comes to your fall garden. October Garden Planning Put your mind to work during your cooler mornings or evenings. There is plenty of planning and reflecting to do when you're gardening in October that will keep you on course for continued success in the garden throughout the fall months and through the winter season. October is loaded with harvestable veggies in Zones 9-10. Prepare for the abundance of produce by having canning supplies organized, recipes gathered, meal-planning in progress, or plan to share your yield with friends and neighbors. If you harvested your own seeds from the garden, be sure that they are dried out and labeled and that you have good storage for them. Pursue some ideas for organizing and storing your seeds so you are ready for planting season next year. Record the seeds you collected in your garden journal in order to sketch out your garden plans for next year. This helps you know what you have and identify what you may need to acquire. Research some recipes for the green tomatoes, pumpkins, and zucchini that you've been harvesting. If you've been planting new perennials, jot them down in your garden journal and add them to your landscape sketches, so you know what you are working with when you start planning next year's gardens. Reflect on the summer growing season and make a note of your highlights and low points. What exceeded your expectations in the garden? What was underwhelming? Were there weather obstacles? When you're gardening in October, be sure to make a note of any diseased or pest-infested plants and where they were planted so that you don't repeat the same cycle next year. Watch how the sunlight hits your yard and garden at this time of year. As time passes, trees grow more prominent and fuller and can shade areas of the yard that they didn't before. Did this impact the amount of sunlight that your gardens received? Note if some pruning may be necessary before growing season next year. Note if any trees look diseased and call a tree expert to assess if a tree needs to be removed. It's never too early to note anything that you still need concerning seed starting supplies. Ensure that you have plenty of seed starting mix, grow trays, grow lights, and warming mats. As you assess your materials, organize your seed packets to know what you have and what you might like to add to your supply. Assess your tools and note any repairs in your garden journal that may be needed in the off-season. Are there tools that you wish that you had? There may be time to find some clearance items at your garden center, or you can write them down on your garden journal shopping list. Ensure that the area is organized and prepped for food storage if you have a root cellar or plan to save your root vegetables, winter squash, and pumpkins. If you picked up any sellar end-of-season buys from the clearance rack, it's time to organize and store them properly. As you continue gardening in October, jot down anything in the garden that needs bolstering, rebuilding, construction, or repair. Did something catch your eye on a website, garden magazine, or a neighbor's yard? If you'd like to add something to the garden like a pumpkin vine arch, some teepees, or a pergola, you can jot those ideas down too. Add a list of what supplies you might need to complete these projects. October Garden Prep & Maintenance Keep gardens in stellar shape by keeping up with some essential garden tasks. While many jobs on the October Garden Checklist Zones 9-10 may seem redundant from month to month, they are paramount to the garden's success. Keeping up with tasks like mulching, watering, weeding, and pruning will keep your garden looking great and keep your plants happy and productive. Garden Cleanup and Prep Keep gardens tidy in order to keep a handle on pests and diseases. Try not to procrastinate on this one. Keeping your gardens free of debris and diseased plants will keep your gardens healthier for years to come. Have perennial plants far outgrown their space in the garden? Take time to divide them and settle them into their new locations before a hard freeze sets in. Gather any fallen leaves and healthy garden debris and add them to your compost pile. Pull up and discard any diseased or mottled plant foliage entirely and away from your gardens or compost pile. Add grass clippings, kitchen scraps, and fallen leaves to your compost heap and turn the pile one last time for the year. Clean up dropped fruit from around fruit trees. Remove spent vines from climbing structures and fences. Clean up the lawn of any stray branches or sticks. They will make great kindling for a brisk evening's fire pit. While it's best to stop pruning trees and shrubs at this point in the year, you can still clean up dead limbs or hanging, broken branches. Now that berry bushes have finished producing, cut back the canes halfway. Prune away any dead and nonproductive canes. Mulch the berry patch well to insulate the plants for the upcoming winter. Cut back any newly formed roses, remove and discard any part of the plant which looks diseased or plagued by pests. Prune dead or diseased vines from grapevines. Add a layer of compost to gardens to amend the soil and boost its nutrient levels for all of its hard work. You can also plant a cover crop of rye this month. You can leave perennials alone and allow them to die back completely. This is best for the plant, and leaving unharvested seedpods intact also feeds the migrating birds and other wildlife who are stocking up for winter. Additionally, leave a few sunflower heads intact. Tidy up your fall planters by deadheading spent flowers. Fertilize your fall planters to keep them growing strong. Thin out any root vegetable seedlings that were sown in the garden last month. Weeding the Fall Garden Organic weed control continues to be a priority this month. Pull weeds early before they go to seed or after rainfall and dispose of them, so they don't have an opportunity to go to seed and proliferate. Eliminating weeds regularly works well to lessen the number of weeds that compete with your plants in subsequent years. Fall Garden Mulching Mimic the natural forest floor by covering bare spots in your garden beds with mulch. This practice deters weeds from developing there, enriches the soil as the mulch breaks down, and provides a habitat for beneficial insects. Add a generous layer of mulch or plant a cover crop to vacant garden beds. Mulch newer perennial plantings and bulbs to insulate root systems during the upcoming winter months. Mulch rose bushes, citrus groves, and grapevines for extra winter protection. Autumn Watering Tips Water in recently planted perennials deeply. Not only do the roots need the water to establish themselves before a harsh winter, but water also acts as an insulator. Continue to water your vegetable and flower gardens, preferably from below, using a garden drip irrigation water system to keep foliage dry. Water your fall container plants regularly. Indoor Planting Sow cool-season vegetables for a late fall planting and winter harvest. Consider planting: Broccoli Cabbage Cauliflower Kale Lettuce Peas Swiss Chard Outdoor Planting in the October Garden It's time to plant your final round of tomatoes, eggplants, and peppers. You can also plant garlic and shallots at this time. Continue to plant new perennials, trees, and shrubs. Plant early in the day and water in well, as the sun can still be intense during the afternoons. Plant your spring bulbs if you have not done so already. They will provide a great deal of joy and excitement when they emerge from the earth after a long, cold winter. You can also plant native plants this month. Consider sowing some wildflower seeds and see what comes up. Fall Garden Harvesting There is a lot of room on the October Garden Checklist Zones 9-10 for harvesting. Gardeners in Zones 9-10 can harvest and enjoy: Squash Pumpkins Gourds Tomatoes Peppers Radishes Broccoli Beans Bok Choy Eggplant Corn Kale Lettuce Sweet Potatoes Root Vegetables If you have any herbs still producing in the garden, harvest the whole plant and hang them upside down in a cool, dry place to dry them or freeze them. You can start clearing out your summer garden if you haven't done so already. This will make space for your fall and winter gardens. Note that if you still have green or partially ripe tomatoes clinging to the vine as you are clearing garden plots, you can remove them all right now and use them in green tomato recipes. Share The Garden Love
