Fall       

September

What Can I Do?

  • Plant Bulbs: Start daffodils and tulips for spring.

  • Harvest: Pick late tomatoes and peppers.

  • Compost: Recycle spent plants.

What’s in Bloom?

  • Asters: Purple and pink stars.

  • Mums: Fall classics in bronze, red, and yellow.

  • Sedum: Pinkish-red succulent blooms.

Any Additional Tips?

  • Watering Adjustments: As the weather cools, adjust watering schedules. Keep the soil moist, but avoid overwatering since plants won’t need as much water.

  • Pest Control: Keep an eye out for late-season pests like aphids and caterpillars, especially on late bloomers.

  • Prune Deadwood: Prune any dead or damaged branches on trees and shrubs to encourage healthy growth for next spring.

October

What Can I Do?

  • Clean Up: Cut back perennials after frost (mid-to-late month).

  • Plant Garlic: Sow cloves now for next July.

  • Mulch: Protect roots before winter.

What’s in Bloom?

  • Mums: Still blooming strong.

  • Pansies: Cool-weather color.

  • Ornamental Grasses: Plumes peak.

Any Additional Tips?

  • Containers Winter Prep: Move containers to sheltered locations away from winter weather or insulate them with burlap.

  • Cover Cold-Hardy Vegetables: Use row covers to extend the growing season for crops like kale and spinach.

  • Test Soil: Great time to test your soil for pH and nutrient levels, allowing time for amendments before planting next spring.