October 2024 Gardening To-Do List
As the weather begins to cool, the leaves start to change and the season transitions from summer to fall here are some steps you can take to help ensure a successful turn down for this season and for a successful start next spring!
Garden Clean-Up & Maintenance
Now is the time to remove annual. Pull out any remaining summer annuals (petunias, impatiens, marigolds) and add them to your compost pile. Also, cut back your spent perennials such as hostas, daylilies and peonies. Leave the seed heads of certain plants such as coneflowers for winter interest or to feed the birds. Get your rakes out! Now is the time to clear fallen leaves from lawns to prevent smothering the grass; compost them or use them as mulch. Clear out any persistent weeds to reduce competition in the spring. October is a good time to inspect your trees and shrubs. Check them for dead or damaged branches that need pruning. Lastly, apply mulch around perennials and shrubs to insulate roots for winter. Use shredded leaves, straw, or bark mulch.Soil & Lawn Care
It's a great time to amend the soil. Add compost, composted manure, or other organic matter to garden beds to improve soil fertility over winter. Another item to remember is to fertilize your lawn. Apply a slow-release, high-potassium fall fertilizer to strengthen the grass before winter. October is also a good time for overseeding your lawn. Do so by spreading grass seed on thinning areas of your lawn to promote growth before the frost.
Also you can aerate compacted soil to help improve air circulation and water absorption.
Winter Preparation for Plants
It's time to plant bulbs! Plant your spring-flowering bulbs (tulips, daffodils, crocuses) before the first frost. October is also a good time to move or plant new shrubs and trees, as fall is a great time for roots to establish.
Fall is also a good time to divide and replant crowded perennials like irises and daylilies. Make sure you deeply water evergreens and newly planted trees and shrubs to keep them hydrated through winter.
Container & Potted Plants
October means it is time to bring in those cold sensitive plants indoors for the winter. Move potted plants indoors to protect them from the cold. Also important to protect is your outdoor pots by insulating them. Wrap containers with burlap or move them to a sheltered location if left outdoors. Now is the perfect time to plant your Fall Containers. Create fall-themed pots with plants like mums, ornamental kale, pansies and ornamental grasses.
Compost & Mulch Management
Don't forget to give your compost a final turn to ensure proper decomposition before winter. Additionally, shred fallen leaves to use as mulch around beds, which will decompose and enrich the soil by spring.
Garden Planning for Next Year
Make notes on which plants thrived, which didn’t, and ideas for next year’s garden. Sketch a New Garden Plan for the future. Design new beds or landscaping projects for the spring, considering light, soil, and space. Prepare for ordering seeds next spring by making a seed list. That way it'll make it nice, simple and organized when you go to buy seeds early for next year.
Wildlife & Pollinator Support
Support wildlife and pollinators by leaving on seed heads. Keep seed heads on for plants like coneflowers and sunflowers for the birds to feed on during winter. Additionally, add bird feeders to your landscape. Install bird feeders and baths to support local wildlife through the colder months. Give the insects a hotel for the colder months. Set up insect shelters for overwintering beneficial insects like bees and ladybugs.
These projects will prepare your garden for winter and set it up for success in the following growing season!
Jennifer Brennan
Chalet Horticulturist
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