There is no lack of jobs to be done in October, especially if you are foresighted. By doing them now you can save valuable time and the spring rush next year will be less hectic.
Tender plants such as dalias and tomatoes are killed by early light frosts, but protect them with a cover of newspaper, cardboard, burlap or plastic and you can continue to enjoy them until cold weather permanently sets in.
At the end of the season, the roots of many tender flowers must be dug and stored for the winter indoors at temperatures ranging from 40° to 50°. Dahlia tubers stored before they are thoroughly dry are subject to rot.
Dig them carefully, remove the tops and allow them to dry thoroughly in a cool, airy place before placing them in baskets or boxes of sand, peat moss, ashes or sawdust which, kept slightly moist, will prevent them from undue shriveling.
Dry gladiolus corms in the sun as soon as they are dug. Discard all decayed or unhealthy-looking corms and then dust the remainder with a Sevin dust at two tablespoonfuls to a half bushel of corms.
Place the treated corms on trays, in shallow boxes or in mesh onion bags. The cormells may be stored in paper bags.
Tritonia corms are not allowed to dry and are stored immediately after being lifted from the ground in moist peat moss. Discard the old corms and save only the vigorous young ones.
Tigridias are dug after frost, tied in bunches and hung in a frost-free place, while tuberous-rooted begonias are dug before freezing weather. The old top growth is removed 6 inches above the tuber which is placed in storage with the soil left clinging to it. An alternate method is to clean them off, dry and place them in dry peat moss or sawdust.
Caladiums are dug up, the tops removed, and dried in the sun. They are placed in dry sand or peat moss and set in a storage area where the temperature does not go below 60°.
Planting Trees and Shrubs
Evergreens can still be planted, the earlier the better. October is the best time for deciduous trees and shrubs, except for those on the border of hardiness such as abelia and butterfly bush. Apple and pear trees are best planted in the fall but spring is generally preferred for the stone fruits—cherry, apricot, peach, and plum.
Bulb Planting
While we are in the process of lifting and storing tender bulbs, our thoughts turn to the planting of hardy ones. Although the planting of many can be carried on through November, daffodils should be planted as early as possible so that root growth will get well underway before the ground freezes.
Besides daffodils, tulips, hyacinths and crocus, bulbs which give the greatest floral displays, there are many lesser-known sorts that are worthwhile. Consider planting bulbous iris with tulips for a fine spring combination planting. Hardy gladiolus, planted now will provide good mid-May color effects.
Besides daffodils, tulips, hyacinths and crocus, bulbs which give the greatest floral displays, there are many lesser-known sorts that are worthwhile. Consider planting bulbous iris with tulips for a fine spring combination planting. Hardy gladiolus, planted now will provide good mid-May color effects.
Planting Roses
There is considerable controversy as to whether fall planting of roses is desirable. Those who are for it say that since nurseries dig roses in the fall the bushes are better off with their roots planted in soil than they would be with bare roots in storage. The advocates of spring planting point to the loss of plants from winter kill.
Both are right depending on the latitude. If you live in an area where normally the ground does not freeze until December, I would advocate fall planting: otherwise, spring planting is preferred.
The bed for planting should be prepared now in either case. This means double digging. Rose roots penetrate deeply into the soil and if it is properly prepared to a depth of 1 ½ to 2 ½ feet they will come through a drought without great damage.
Protecting Climbing Roses
Climbing roses may need some protection in those areas where below-zero temperatures are common. This may mean taking them from the supports, laying them on the ground, and covering them with earth. Or they may be protected in place by tying the canes together and covering them with cornstalks.
Perennial Gardens
This is the season for rebuilding perennial gardens by the simple process of dividing old plants. Clumps of anchusa, lily-of-the-valley, anthemis, phlox, veronica, columbine, gypsophila, saponaria, eupatorium, beebalm, physostegia and certain varieties of Shasta daisy are just a few that can be benefited by replanting now.
Lift the plants, pull them apart with a fork if necessary and replant the best portions of the division. The soil should be fortified with humus and animal manure before replanting and the plants should be set in new locations as a precautionary measure against disease troubles. While you prepare the soil, the lifted plants should be protected from drying by keeping them covered with wet burlap or newspaper.
Peonies were not included in the above list because they must be lifted and divided carefully into sections containing three or more eyes.
Shrub Planting
Woody shrubs are best planted in fall after their foliage has dropped. Heading the list are lilacs. Experience has demonstrated that good-sized plants of French hybrids set out in spring and allowed to flower are often crippled and some never flower again.
Best results are achieved by setting out plants on their own roots and then pruning them back hard. Flowering may be delayed for a year or two by this method but afterwards the lilacs flourish and flower luxuriantly.
if you can only obtain grafted lilacs, avoid planting them too shallowly as this will encourage suckering growth from the privet understock.
In most areas fruit trees are best planted in fall with the exception of cherries which arc definitely an item for spring planting. Some gardeners claim that peaches should only be planted in spring but this claim is not altogether borne out by my experience.
Strawberries may be planted now if well-grown pot plants are secured from growers. After the ground freezes, they should be mulched with some material that will not mat.
Care of Ismene
Ismene (Hymen locates calathina) should be dug up with as many roots as possible. Cure bulbs in a warm dry place where the temperature stays at 60°.
Digging Gladiolus
Dig with the leaves left on if there is still life in them. Place in a shallow box in a warm dry place for a week or two or until they are thoroughly dry. Then the tops and loose husks can be pulled off. Put clean corms in paper bags with a small amount of 5% DDT powder to kill thrips.
Keep bags closed for three weeks at a 60°-70° temperature. Afterward, keep them at a temperature as near 45° as possible. Mice are partial to gladiolus corms so be sure to store them in rodent-proof containers.
Rhubarb For Forcing
If you are fond of rhubarb, plan to dig up a strong clump, place it in a bushel basket with soil packed around the roots, and leave it outdoors until about the first of February. Then bring it into the cellar and keep watered.
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