Northeast October Garden To-Do List

ground on averages , most of us in the Northeast will be steady for our first violent death rime in October . Even if we ’re leave waiting , the sun ’s data track south will cause our gardens to wind down and cue plants ’ hibernation preparation . Because of lingering warmth in the filth , October is a great time to imagine fountain and get a head start on next twelvemonth ’s garden .

Plant spring - flowering bulbs . Planting spring - flower bulbsis at the top of everyone ’s fall to - do list . But it ’s still early twenty-four hours and ok to procrastinate . Bulbs can be planted any time from now until the soil freezes whole . That enounce , daffodils particularly appreciate plenty of time to develop ascendant before winter . Dig down about two and a one-half time the bulb ’s height and set them in their trench pointy side up .

Finish dividing and transplanting spring - blooming perennial . This is the perfect meter tackle overgrown or poorly sit down herbaceous peony ( Paeoniaspp . and cvs . , Zones 3 - 8) . Whether you ’re make a motion them or not , cut their foliage to the ground now and do not compost ( peonies often harbor Botrytis blight ) . To divide and transplant peonies , dig cautiously around the outermost fore , and lever out the integral clump . Break the mass of tuberous roots into pieces that let in pink white growing points pop out from the etymon , or “ eye ” . peony will be loth to bloom if they ’re planted too deeply , so when replanting , check that the eyes are no more than an inch or so below the soil ’s airfoil . And always plant them in full sun . For tips on dividing other perennials , read onhere .

Plant or transplant trees and shrubs . This is also an excellent time to institute or move trees , bush , and roses . As downcast abstemious levels and tune temperature trigger off dormancy , plant will be able to drop stay energy rebuilding beginning organisation in fall ’s ardent grease . No matter what the conditions , always weewee flora well after fall planting ortransplantingbut do not encourage top growing by fertilize .

Dig up stamp bulbs and prepare them for winter computer memory . After your garden is reach by a stamp out hoar , prune yearbook off at the primer coat , leaving their roots to break down and add organic matter to the soil . Dig dahlias ( Dahliaspp . and cvs . , Zones 7 - 11 ) , cannas ( Cannaspp . and cvs . , Zones 8 - 11 ) , and gladiolus ( Gladiolusspp . and cvs . , Zones 7 - 10 ) up a week or two after Robert Lee Frost . burn their root off , remove clumps of grease , label them , and allow the tubers and corm dry off in the Dominicus before putting them into cool ( above freezing ) and dark winter memory board . Gladiolus and cannas may be lay in on the loose in newspaper bag . Dahlia tubers are more sensible to humidness and temperature fluctuations . Too moist and they ’re prone to rot or mold ; too dry and they shrink . Some gardener storage dahlia in boxes or cooler fill with dampened vermiculite or sawdust . you could also try wrapping them in newspaper publisher or plastic bags . Experiment and plan to check them periodically over winter .

Clean out your garden shed . speak of store , if you ’re like me and do n’t clean up the shed now , there might not be way to move container , hose , and terrace furniture in next calendar month . Sort through the poppycock you tossed in over the time of year and either observe a place for everything on the pegboard ( install a pegboard ! ) or kick things to the curb for your neighbour to take . Give in to the fancy , even briefly , of turning the shed into a indication nook . By the end of October , hoarfrost or not , the approach of wintertime will be undeniable . Take advantage of the proficient day to ready the stage for the seasons forward .

Kristin Green is author ofPlantiful : commence little , Grow Big With 150 Plants That Spread , Self - Sow , and Overwinter . She gardens in Bristol , Rhode Island .

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Midwest October Garden To-Do List

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The flaming foliage of Tiger Eyes® sumac (Rhus typhina ‘Bailtiger’, Zones 4-8) catches the light of an early sunset in this October scene. Photo: Mary Ann Newcomer