Wrapping Up The Garden in October

~ By Aletha ~

Well one of the things I was thinking of is gee before you know it we wont be spending too much time out doors in the garden so we need to get something going and ready to jot down on a to do list. For example if you have young trees and bushes you planted you can create a barrier of chicken wire to protect them from damage caused by rabbits.

Now is also the time to put on your list to start bringing in your Geraniums and other tender plants before the first frost sets in and destroys them. Some gardeners will do a burlap wrap around their tender plants to protect them from snow that can get heavy and ice that can damage them and if you have some plants or evergreens near a street to protect them from the snow plows, salt and slush that can be sprayed up on them.

Do you think of Slugs? I do not but yes in the beginning of October Slugs can be a serious problem and if you use slug baits, beer or salt now is the time to gain control of them before fall reproduction time sets in.

When we rake our leaves now is the time to make sure we put them in the compost pile along with cleaning out your garden to help in building humus for the next year. If you chemically treat your lawn do not add them to the humus pile.

You can still harvest your garden till first frost then clean it up, turn the soil under and then put compost on to over winter. If you plant spring bulbs now is the time to get them into the ground. If you are transplanting evergreens and trees now is the time to do this before they go into winter dormancy as this is less likely to cause stress on them.

Also if your grass needs to be aerated, October is the time to do this and you can throw grass seed down afterward up to the middle of the month. Remember to water your plants well in October if you are not getting the rains as it is important for them to get this before over wintering. This will avoid unnecessary stress on them trying to find moister and will help them make it to spring.

BE SURE TO WATER trees and shrubs now through hard frost, so that they enter dormancy in a well-hydrated state. Evergreens (needled ones and broadleaf types like rhododendron, too) are particularly vulnerable to desiccation and winter burn if not well watered before the cold and winds set in.

DON'T PANIC IF EVERGREENS start to show some browning or yellowing of needles this month and next. The oldest, innermost needles typically shed after a few years on the tree.

Parsley and Chives can be potted up and brought indoors for off season use, or freeze some (or give the plants some extra protection and keep harvesting from the garden).

Garlic Cloves in a pot will yield a supply of chive-like (but spicier) garlic greens all winter for garnish. Sow seeds of bush Basil in a pot too, and grow on a very sunny windowsill if you are a really determined type.

If you plan on growing Strawberries next year now is the time to get that spot ready , so get your tiller out and get the ground tilled and the soil prepared. This way when you order your plants over the winter your ground will be ready for the plants come spring, this is also goes for Asparagus.

RE-EDGE BEDS to make a clean line and define them. Don't let them get overrun just because summer's wound down. A clean edge makes a big difference.

         

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