October’s frosts may put an end to growing things but not to the gardener’s tasks. There are leaves to be raked and flower borders to be cleaned; furniture and tools to be cleaned and stored and Summer bulbs to be lifted.
Tulips To Be Planted
More importantly, there are tulips to be planted. But clear, warm sunny days make it ever so delightful to work – and muse.
If dryness continued in your area through the Fall, be sure your trees and shrubs, especially newly-transplanted ones, are given plenty of water.
Insufficient moisture in the stems and tissues is a major cause of Winter injury and death. Evergreens suffer greatly in this respect.
Bulb Plantings
Continue with your bulb plantings. Narcissus and “miniature” kinds require September planting because they need to develop considerable roots during the Autumn.
This is the month for tulips, however, and remember that if your plantings are to be permanent, a deep setting, 8”-10″, is best as it prevents the bulbs from splitting up. Dividing every 2 or 3 years is not necessary then.
Burning Corn Stalks
Corn stalks should be burned to prevent the over-Wintering of the European corn borer. Dahlias infested with this pest, as well as other diseased vegetation, should also be designated to the refuse pyre.
This is the time to plant camassias in well-drained soil as earlier planting might induce premature development. Four to six inches is the proper depth.
Inverting Clumps Each Day
After lifting dahlias, invert the clumps for a day or so, to enable excessive water in the stems to drain, before storing them in boxes of sand, peat moss, coal ashes, or sawdust at a 40-50 degrees temperature.
If some of your chrysanthemums are doubtfully hardy, lift clumps and store in cold frames for the Winter. Since they bear transplanting well, you can pot and bring in a few favorite varieties for enjoyment in your sunroom or plant window.
Frosts Threatening
Lift turnips, carrots, and beets when severe frosts threaten. Dig parsnips as needed for kitchen use; the rest will keep in the ground until Spring.
Divide the peonies you’ve been wanting to split, now. This is the time to do it. Be sure to keep the crown 1” – 2″ below the soil level. Well-rotted manure or bonemeal should he added.
The Beauty of October Garden
Enjoy the beauty of your October garden should be one of the major “chores” on your list. The brilliance of your maples and ‘mums will fade all too soon.
Consider the viburnums in your renovated foundation or new border planting. They are hardy, grow easily in sun and shade, and produce both flowers and berries.
Winged Friends in the Garden
The birds find the latter palatable, too, so insert some for your winged friends –
Viburnum cassinoides, deniatum, trilobum, opulus, and dilitatum are a few favorites.
Green tomatoes may be spread out on newspapers individually to ripen in frost-proof places. Others, for later consumption, may be wrapped in paper and placed in a cool, dark spot. in the cellar.
Dust Gladiolus Corms
Dust gladiolus corms are stored in the cellar with a 5-10% DDT to kill thrips after the tops have dried.
Begin to force bulbs of paper white and Soleil d’Or narcissus in fiber or pebbles and water.
Allow for root development by placing containers in a dark place, at 60∞, for about three weeks. Plantings every few weeks will ensure flowers throughout the Winter.
Scatter seeds of hardy annuals such as;
- cosmos
- petunias
- marigolds
- snapdragons
- calendulas
- cornflowers
- larkspurs
- portulaca
- nicotiana
- sweet alyssum
- koehia
- poppy
- candytuft
- spider plant and others.
Sow late to prevent germination before the ground freezes.
Make sure all your house plants have been brought indoors. If possible, place the latest arrivals in an unheated room at first before bringing them into warmer places.
Importance of Good Ventilation
See that they get sufficient water, but not too much. Good ventilation is important.
Dump leaves and other garden refuse (non-diseased) on the compost pile. For every five bushels of material one pound of a complete fertilizer and one-half pound of ground, limestone should be added.
Keeping the Lawn Move
Keep on mowing the lawn as long as it continues to grow. Uncut grass will mat and, perhaps, kill a few patches of turf.
Lift tuberous begonias before a hard freeze, spread out in a sunny, airy place to ripen off, and store tubers in sand or peat moss at 40° to 50° degrees.
Evergreens and broad-leaved evergreens will appreciate a mulch of peat moss, leaf mold, or other organic matter to help conserve moisture and serve as hummus.
44659 by Garden Work